Schoolyard Bagels: Brooklyn flavors find new home in Syracuse

UPDATE: Schoolyard Bagels announced on Instagram Saturday that it would temporarily close to be better prepared for the high demand it experienced during its opening.

A new bagel and deli called Schoolyard Bagels opened yesterday morning, Feb. 8, on the corner of Marshall Street and University Ave in the former location of Marshall Street Starbucks. The store advertises itself as bringing  “authentic Brooklyn-style bagels and delicious homemade bites to the Syracuse community.”

The store is the vision of Brooklyn natives, Carmine Curra, Peter Lombardo and Nick Castronuovo — three friends from Brooklyn who wanted to bring their favorite foods from their hometown to Syracuse. 

Per their menu, Schoolyard offers ten different bagel varieties including plain, everything, sesame, cinnamon raisin, egg, egg-everything, onion, garlic, poppy and salt. The bagel shop is an affordable option for students, with one bagel costing two dollars, and a baker’s dozen at $23.75.

In addition to bagels, they also serve breakfast sandwiches, deli sandwiches, soups and salads and various hot and cold beverages. The store offers online ordering and catering services through their website.

Employee Brenda Martinez says that the staff has been training hard in preparation for the store to open. 

Martinez first heard about Schoolyard by chance. “It wasn’t really advertised anywhere, I just saw the construction happening and was curious to see what was going on,” she said.

When asked which menu item she would recommend to first-time customers, Martinez says the pork roll egg and cheese.

“Pretty basic, but you can’t go wrong with it,” Martinez said.

The store is in the same building previously occupied by the Marshall Street Starbucks, which closed in June 2022.

Syracuse seniors Katie Hill and Amanda Rosenthal both opted for breakfast from Schoolyard Bagels on Thursday morning.

“There was such big buildup about the bagel place opening,” Rosenthal said. “The line was super long this morning, so I had to come in.”

“I was sad when the Starbucks closed, so I’m happy that it’s open now and there’s a bagel place closer to campus,” Hill added. “It’s super quick and convenient.”

With good initial reviews and a busy first day in the books, Schoolyard Bagels is looking to be an exciting new addition to Marshall Street. 

With positive feedback and a bustling debut, Schoolyard Bagels is poised to become a go-to spot for SU students on Marshall Street.

Schoolyard Bagels, located at 726 University Ave, is open Monday through Wednesday from 6:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Thursday and Friday from 6:30 a.m. to 3 a.m. On the weekend, the bagel shop is open on Saturdays from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m. and Sundays from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.