COURIER LIFE,4 JULY 31-AUGUST 6, 2020
Brothers’ boost
Southern BK rallies behind beloved
bagel shop trashed by vandals
Brooklynites are fundraising for The Brothers’ Bagels after a trio of masked men caused
more than $13,000 worth of damage inside the eatery on July 25. Google Maps
BY MEAGHAN MCGOLDRICK
Southern Brooklyn residents were
quick to rally behind a beloved bagel
shop after a trio of masked men went
on a violent rampage inside the delicatessen
over the weekend, causing more
than $13,000 worth of damage during
a pandemic already economically-devastating
to small businesses.
On Saturday, July 25, the owners of
The Brothers’ Bagels, a family-owned
bagel shop near the corner of 71st
Street and Fort Hamilton in Bay Ridge,
say two masked vandals trashed the
place after being told the eatery was
closed for the night.
Co-owner Edgar Morales told CBS2
that he was behind the counter at the
time of the attack, watching in horror
as the masked perpetrators — eventually
joined by a third perp with a mask
and jacket up over his face — kicked
in glass counters, tossed tables, and
hurled the establishment’s meat slicer
to the ground.
When their frenzy of destruction
was fi nished, the scoffl aws had caused
upwards of $13,000 in damage to the bagel
shop — which has become a staple
in both Bay Ridge and Dyker Heights
for close to a decade.
“We did nothing to invite this attack,”
wrote Edgar and his brother
Hector on an online crowdfunding
campaign. “Now, during this global
pandemic, we have to fi ght even harder
to keep our small business alive. We are
asking for anyone who can, to help us.”
The brothers’ GoFundMe had
amassed nearly $3,500 in just one day,
and totaled close to $8,000 by Wednesday
morning.
But, in a testament to how dearly
the nearby community holds the eatery,
one longtime patron had seen social
media reports about the attack,
and rushed to set up a second online
fundraiser to pay for the damage.
The kind-hearted neighbor has
since suspended the fundraiser, so to
not draw funds from the one created
by the Morales family — but not before
her effort had raked in close to
$3,000, which she says is refl ective of
The Brothers’ Bagels’ impact on the
community.
“There wasn’t a lot of thinking
behind my decision to start the Go-
FundMe page,” said the creator, who
asked to remain anonymous because
this “isn’t about her — it’s about The
Brothers’ Bagels.”
“They’re a great business that
serves the community and has built a
relationship with it as well,” she said.
“I just wanted to do something to help
immediately, so I started it and people
responded. I am thrilled that people
responded the way they did because it
shows the best of humanity.”
After learning the brothers had created
their own GoFundMe, she said,
she called hers off — but after bringing
in a signifi cant amount of funds for
the eatery on her own accord, which
she will now transfer to The Brother’s
Bagels.
“When we come together, great
things can happen,” she said. “Raising
the amount of money we did in 24
hours is a testament to the amazing
caring people that make up our communities.”
“We have been proud community
members of Bay Ridge for 18 years.
Our children attend the neighborhood
schools. Our restaurant is a place
where local school staff, children and
families gather before and after school.
We have catered countless events for
our neighbors and their families,” the
Morales brothers wrote online. “We
know that times are tough for everyone,
and we greatly appreciate any
support you are able to offer us at this
time. Thank you in advance for being
there for us as we have been there for
so many of you.”