(Marc A. Hermann / MTA) via Flickr
To honor the New York City subway’s 120 years, Zabar’s is offering a $1.20 bagel with shmear.
From Thursday, October 24, to Sunday, October 27, between 8 a.m. and 11 a.m., Zabar’s will offer a ‘commuter special’ bagel deal in collaboration with the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA).
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The MTA is celebrating the subway’s 120th anniversary, marking the opening on October 27, 1904. Known as the Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT), it began with 28 stations along a 9.1-mile line. Coincidentally, Zabar’s, founded in 1934 on the Upper West Side, is celebrating its 90th anniversary. The MTA and Zabar’s held a brief celebration outside the store earlier this month.
(Marc A. Hermann / MTA) via Flickr
Zabar’s is no stranger to clever collaborations, having previously teamed up with brands like Coach for sweatshirts and tote bags and Vans for skate shoes. This time, the New York City staple will commemorate the subway’s 120 years with a $1.20 bagel with a shmear. Customers can also add a coffee to the ‘commuter special’ for $2.90.
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“What better way to celebrate the legacy of 120 years of the subway than partnering with another generational mainstay of New York City—Zabar’s,” said MTA Chief Customer Officer Shanifah Rieara.
Hungry for more? Zabar’s is honoring its 90th anniversary with a bagel, cream cheese, and lox special for $9.90. All bagel orders will be wrapped in special subway- and bagel-themed paper with drawings of stations, cars, signage, and other surprises.
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“The number 1 train here at 79th Street was the most important part of my life. It’s a fabulous place to get on the train, and it’s close to Zabar’s,” said Stanley Zabar. “My father always said if you could open a store within two blocks of a subway, you’d become a rich store owner.”
(Marc A. Hermann / MTA) via Flickr
For those who don’t live close by, on Tuesday, October 22, New York City Transit workers will hand out hundreds of Zabar’s famed black and white cookies to lucky subway commuters at four subway stations across the Bronx, Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. Be on the lookout for Zabar’s ‘commuter special’ messages displayed on digital screens throughout the subway system and onboard train cars.
(Marc A. Hermann / MTA) via Flickr
The MTA and Zabar’s are also hosting a social media sweepstakes where you could win a limited-edition MTAxZabar’s gift basket. A winner will be selected on Sunday, October 27.
In addition to Zabar’s collaboration, the New York Transit Museum is offering four nostalgia train rides on Sunday, October 27, and Saturday, November 16. The museum features a new exhibit, The Subway Is…, which explores the tremendous impact the subway has had on NYC’s development, culture, and identity.
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Whenever I visited New York from Hawaii in the 80’s , at least a couple time a week I visited Zabars corner in the morning for a bagel and lox, oj and coffee all for 4.95. sit on a window seat and watch the world go by. On one visit I had my auntie with me and we had just heard Warren Bernhardt, a jazz pianist play the night before at Tavern on the green. I mentioned to her that you never knew who was going to come in to Zabars for their breakfast special. Sure enough Warren Bernhardt walked in five minutes after I mentioned that and I had a chance to tell him what a great evening we had at Tavern on the green the night before. Wonderful memories of the way Zabars used to be. We bought all our stainless steel flatware upstairs at Zabars
Zabars used to be good when it was only people from the neighborhood going there. Now they let in all sorts of hoodlums and it’s no longer a safe welcoming place
Zabar’s has always been the pride of the westside but the fierce loyalty of their clients makes it not just a place frequented by all in Manhattan but the suburban children of UWS bubbies. I can’t think of a guest that’s visited that doesn’t make it one of their to do’s.
As a frequent shopper (coffee & cheese) – I can’t say that i agree with your comment about hoodlums creating a menacing environment. I’ve never experienced this but I have had my heels banged into or side swiped at a pinch point but that’s part of the gestalt that is Zabar’s;)
John T:
“hoodlums”, what are you talking about?
There are many failures of the store since Saul and Paul bought out Murray Klein in 1996, but hoodlums is not one of their failures.
Also, the store’s name is Zabar’s.
The name of the family is Zabar, and the name of the store is Zabar’s.
The bagel + lox + oj, if available, has triple in price, at least. It’s no longer Murry Klein’s store.
(Saul Zabar, Paul Zabar, and their partner Murray Klein refounded the store in 1957, what you’re fondly remembering is the store that Klen ran and owned a 1/3 of until 1996.)