A much-loved Devon bagel brand is expanding, as Harman Bagels prepares to open its doors in Totnes on Friday 20th February.
Taking over the former Taguchi-Ya site at 12 Ticklemore Street, Harman Bagels is a family-run business known for serving some of the finest bagels in Devon. The new Totnes location marks the brand’s second site, following the success of its original Plymouth premises.
Previously trading as The Hutong Bagel Co., Harman Bagels has built a loyal following in Plymouth, where queues regularly form outside the Cremyll Street location in Royal William Yard. Each weekend, locals and visitors alike line up for their locally famous freshly baked bagels and inventive fillings.
The business is run by brothers George & Jack, and Emma Harman, Jack’s wife. All three co-founders were born and raised in Devon, and say Totnes felt like a natural next step due to their deep personal ties to the town.
George Harman, who has personal ties to the area said: “Totnes has always been a really special place for me. I previously worked at The Almond Thief, and my wife Mel worked at the Waterside Pub, which is actually where we met. Since then, I’ve spent so much time here with family, and Totnes has always felt like a second home. Bringing Harman Bagels here felt like a really natural step for us, especially as a family-run business that’s all about community.”
Renovations at 12 Ticklemore Street are well underway ahead of the opening, with all three founders and their family members heavily involved in transforming the space into more than just a bagel shop.
Speaking about the new location, Jack Harman said: “We’d had family dinners in Totnes’ famous Taguchi-Ya restaurant before, and I’d always admired the interiors – especially the big, bright windows that let in so much light. More recently, I was actually having Japanese lessons there when I found out the restaurant was closing.
I reached out to the owners to express my condolences, but also my interest in taking on the lease and creating our own business legacy from the building Taguchi-Ya leaves behind. They couldn’t have been kinder, and before we knew it, the place where we’d shared family meals had become the Totnes home of our family-led business.”
Emma Harman added: “We know and love the Totnes community and have so many friends and family here. When it came to choosing a second location, it had to be somewhere rooted in who we are. We’re so excited to bring our bagels to Totnes and can’t wait to see how they’re received.”
Harman Bagels’ menu includes everything from classic cream cheese bagels, to their bestselling salt beef, alongside a rotating range of creative specials.
Past favourites have included the Singapore Chilli Crab Bagel – featuring Bukit-style Devon crab, pickled daikon and carrot, oyster sauce egg patty, pandan leaf mayo and fresh bird’s eye chillies – and the Porchetta Bagel, made with Dart Farm roast pork, salsa verde, artichoke cream and mountains of arugula.
To celebrate the Totnes opening, Harman Bagels will be giving away a whole raft of FREE “bagel things”, including free tasters for anyone who wants to try before they buy.
Harman Bagels Totnes will open at 8am on Friday 20th February at 12 Ticklemore Street, Totnes.
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