New shop brings unique bagel combinations to the Valley

Joe Bagel along the Palmer-Wasilla Highway is bringing a whole new perspective on bagels to the Mat-Su Valley. Their unique recipes and flavor combinations satisfy customers craving something both savory and sweet. Also serving as a full-service coffee and drink stand, Joe Bagel has a little bit of something for everyone.

Owner Kristen Niles started the business as a joint venture with her family. Niles worked as an electrician for the last 10 years, traveling around the state. As a single mom, Niles decided she needed to stay closer to home and work in the Valley.

Brandon Niles is Kristen’s brother. Brandon had previously owned a cafe in Hawaii and said that bagels were always popular. He mentioned to Kristen the idea of starting a business that only dealt with bagels and the two started the process from there.

“We decided that there aren’t any bagel shops around, and that we’d try doing a coffee shop with bagels and see how it went,” Kristen said.

The intent with Joe Bagel was to provide customers with quality bagel options along with quality drinks. The coffee/bagel stand incorporates a commercial kitchen where food is prepared on site, rather than pre-made elsewhere and reheated in a microwave. The hope is to provide a service many other drink and food stands simply don’t have.

“I thought there was an opportunity to serve good food along with good coffee,” Brandon said.

With a background in construction, Brandon was able to prepare the site where Joe Bagel is located by clearing the lot, grading it and installing underground utilities. He put together the building offsite and transported it to where it now sits last October.

Coming up with the different bagel combinations was a lot of fun, Kristen said. Some of their more popular savory items include the “California Dreamin,’” an everything-bagel sandwich with turkey, avocado, cheese, bacon, lettuce, onion, tomato, mustard and mayonnaise. The “Godfather,” an everything-bagel with cream cheese, tomato and pesto is another favorite. The “Michelangelo,” a plain bagel with tomato cream cheese, pepperoni and shredded cheese, is named after the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle and his love for pizza.

For those who prefer a sweet bagel, the “S'mores” incorporates a plain bagel covered in marshmallow fluff, chocolate chips and graham cracker crumbles and is toasted with a torch before serving. The “Strawberry Cheesecake” incorporates a plain bagel with cheesecake cream cheese, strawberry preserves and graham cracker crumbles. The “Honey Nut” is based on a plain bagel with cream cheese, a honey drizzle and toasted pecans.

“We’re trying to make it fun and give some different variety,” Kristen said.

Joe Bagel also operates as a full-service coffee and drink stand. They have the standard espresso drinks, including lattes, mochas, cappuccinos and more. Other hot drinks include Chai tea and hot chocolate. They offer a variety of iced coffees, Thai tea, Lotus Italian soda and fruit smoothies made with real frozen fruit.

Joe Bagel recently started the “Joe Club,” where regulars can purchase a punch card that covers 30 drinks within 30 days of purchase, for only $99.

The name Joe Bagel is a play on the Snoopy alter-ego, Joe Cool, from the Peanuts comic, but with an Alaskan spin. The logo incorporates an Alaskan malamute wearing sunglasses leaning against a bagel. Kristen explained it’s also a play on the term “Joe” in reference to coffee.

Since opening Dec. 12, Kristen said they’ve received a lot of positive feedback. She said there seems to be a big lunch rush, which surprised her at first because she always associated bagels with breakfast. Kristen said her number one goal with opening and operating the business is to support herself and her family.

For foodies looking to try something new in the Valley, Joe Bagel has a variety of new and different food and drink options to choose from.

“I don’t think they’re going to find a place currently in Alaska with as many unique bagel flavors as we have,” Brandon said.

Joe Bagel is located at 11600 Palmer-Wasilla Highway, just outside of Palmer.