Ugly Bagel Opens First Physical Shop

Ugly Bagel (Nashville) has opened its first brick-and-mortar location, in a newly renovated arcade in its home city’s downtown. Housed in a former café within The Arcade Nashville, Ugly Bagel’s backers say the business “is on a mission to redefine fast-casual service by blending high-quality, handcrafted bagels with an experience that prioritizes genuine connections.”

Ugly Bagel’s first shop is in an arcade in downtown Nashville. Photo: Courtesy of Ugly Bagel

The business was founded by longtime Nashville residents and hospitality veterans Jeff Crabiel and Jake Strang, who say Ugly Bagel’s brand “emphasizes the power of positive micro-interactions—those small yet impactful exchanges that foster connection and create a cumulative effect throughout the experience.” Central to this approach is the shop’s “Bagel Concierge,” a dedicated team member who offers personalized assistance with mobile orders and managing the store’s self-checkout kiosks.

Guests can also view the bagel-making process through a “rolling window,” where they can observe their bagels being crafted.

In addition to its locale in the arcade, Ugly Bagel’s co-founders plan a second location, in the Wedgewood Houston neighborhood south of downtown, with more in the works.