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The world is full of things we wish we could put a stop to, but this particular one caught our attention this morning. The Chicago Bagel Authority on Armitage is in trouble. Their building has been purchased and in a twist on the classic “I can’t pay the rent; You must pay the rent!” scenario, the new owner has made it clear that CBA isn’t the kind of tenant that he had in mind. Looking for a “national retailer” to fill the space – because Lincoln Park apparently needs more of that – the new landlord has given CBA eleven months to relocate.
But CBA will not go quietly – long time patrons and neighborhood residents are rising to its defense. Founded by 
two Miami University alum, and home of the “steamed sandwich” – a brilliant cooking method that maximizes the chewy goodness of a bagel, CBA is a Lincoln Park institution. And as the City is increasingly overrun with chain sandwich options from Jimmy John’s to Potbellys, CBA’s array of quality ingredients and fantastic sandwiches is an increasingly rare commodity.
So how to save the endangered species that is a CBA sandwich (or the mom and pop shop)? Well, people, they need cash money. So first – go buy their sandwiches (no hardship here; they are superb). And, if you yourself are a maestro with the sandwich, we suggest you enter “The Sandwich that Saved CBA” contest. Choose from their list of ingredients, name it something clever, and send it off with a $25 entry fee off to CBA by April 30. In addition to the good feeling you will get for stickin’ it to the man, you could also win any number of disproportionately awesome prizes.
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CBA should be saved, but be nice to Potbelly's. I've been going to the original one on Lincoln since long before they got sold and went chain. They're a Chicago original.
Also, as much as I want to love CBA, their sandwiches kind of suck. I don't want my bagel "steamed" like I dropped it in the shower or something.
grr... shit like this really grills my cheese.
scott, do you know, is this anything like bagel street deli at OU? if so, why have i not been there? hmph.
I don't know about bagel street, Jen (nor, or course am I Scott) but in Bloomington Indiana there was a similar joint called New York Bagel and Deli that rocked. It's gone now, but not because of a shitty landlord, but probably because it's hard to manage a deli while doing bong hits in the back room.
Barrett: Don't get us wrong, we like the Potbelly sandwiches (the meatball especially) but I literally walk by three different (different in that they have unique street addresses) Potbellies in a given work day. I would love to see a CBA or a Costellos show up in one of those Potbelly spots.
I was part of the original staff of Beekman's Bagels at OSU, which was owned by the same guys who owned Bagel Street. Both places were based on the shop at Miami o'Ohio. No doubt the concept spread to other college towns, too.
I love steamed bagel sandwiches -- my plan is to get one of those steamers for my house.
Sucks for the CBA, but with 11 months to work on it, they could probably find a new location -- someplace a little more collegiate than Armitage, perhaps, where their wares would be more appreciated.
thanks andrew, you rock!
Jen, when I read this I had the same thought. "Wait, steamed bagels....that sounds like Bagel Street!" Man, I miss that place. Guess I know where to get my fix now.
This isn't a soup kitchen, it's a store. Sure, I enjoy my Sara's Secret, but come on. They'll move or go under. Darwin baby.
Cut the crap. They need a better business plan if they want to survive. If your business can't pay the rent, maybe it's not a very good business.
Or they just need to relocate. The whole Armitage strip has seen increased rents and national chain stores. That's life in the big city. Everyone else has moved to Southport or Roscoe Village -- maybe CBA should too.
I guess I am the only one who does not like steamed bagles.
I loved Beekman's bagels at Penn State University! Does anyone know a place that is very similar anywhere else? If so please definitely give me their website or contact info.
I loved Beekman's bagels at Penn State University! Does anyone know a place that is very similar anywhere else? If so please definitely give me their website or contact info.
I loved Beekman's bagels at Penn State University! Does anyone know a place that is very similar anywhere else? If so please definitely give me their website or contact info.
I loved Beekman's bagels at Penn State University! Does anyone know a place that is very similar anywhere else? If so please definitely give me their website or contact info.