All About Lefty's Bagels
Lefty’s Bagels was founded by brothers-in-law Doug Goldenberg and Scott Lefton. Scott had the dream, and Doug had the plan. The dream began with Scott’s quest for ‘bagel perfection.’ "I wanted to create an authentic New York–style bagel at home, while putting my own spin on it," Lefton explains. A constant experimenter, Scott tested countless recipes until he developed a bagel that friends and family couldn’t get enough of.
The dream remained just that — a dream — until Doug, a meticulous planner, helped turn it into a business. Their strategy included renting time at a co-operative bakery, The Bakers Hub -later renamed Trolley Stop Bakery, which allowed them to launch Lefty’s Bagels as a weekend-only pop-up. "By renting hours in the bakery and using the retail storefront, we were able to bring freshly baked bagels to market on a small scale. It also gave us the chance to refine our skills and grow our business," says Goldenberg.
Opening day exceeded their expectations: a line of eager customers formed, every bagel sold out in less than an hour, and the rest, as they say, is Lefty’s Bagels history.
Learn more about Lefty's Bagels
How we got rolling
The success at The Bakers Hub inspired the partners to go all in and create the bagel café of their dreams. Lefty’s would not only serve hand-rolled bagels, but also stacked sandwiches, deli favorites, coffee, and more — all in a full-time café setting. We honor tradition by making bagels the way they were historically crafted: using only the highest-quality ingredients, boiling each bagel before baking, and employing a special burlap-lined bagel board and revolving deck oven. The result is a golden, crispy crust with a soft, chewy interior — the signature taste of Lefty’s Bagels.
Making a home
In the summer of 2022, Scott and Doug began construction on Lefty’s Bagels at 13359 Olive Blvd., and the rest, as they say, is history. Today, we proudly serve St. Louis with high-quality bagels and deli favorites. At Lefty’s Bagels, you’ll always find delicious food, friendly service, and a welcoming, family-friendly atmosphere.
We owe a heartfelt thank you to our spouses, Jenny and Liz, for their unwavering support, and to our parents, whose love and guidance made this journey possible. We also extend a special shout-out to our mentors and collaborators — your advice and encouragement have been invaluable along the way.
