More Than Water

Scot & Ross with Happy Guests

Scot and I discussed growing up in Brooklyn during the 1970s
and '80s downstairs in his lab at The Bagel Store over containers of bagel-hol. The truth is that it was a depressing, desolate time. Future-less. Visibly frustrated, Scot described going outside as a kid in Gravesend and finding absolutely nothing to inspire. It's difficult for him to articulate the experience of hopelessness in this period of his life. Yet, within his imagination was boundless and his heart beat passionately to create.


Scot Rossillo is the self proclaimed "World's Premier Bagel Artist." Like all other artists, he is compelled to share what he creates. The confines of Gravesend, during a time when New York City teetered on the edge of bankruptcy, were not strong enough to imprison his spirit. The evidence is hard to miss. Witness the variety and abundance of bagels, cream cheeses and spreads in eye-popping colors and mind-boggling flavors at either of his stores in Williamsburg on any given day. When he's not at the store, his spirit pervades.




 







Customers on line aren't waiting for breakfast or lunch, but are on their way to "Bagel Paradise." The fellas behind the counter, infused with a sense of familiarity and purpose, work together like a well practiced Olympic team to deliver excellent customer service. Scot's sister Michelle and Ross, his friend of forty-odd years, carry the message: These are not ordinary bagels. They want patrons to appreciate that the Bacon, Egg and Cheddar, Buttery Salted Pretzel, Pumpkin Pie and the myriad other designs are works of art in literally every sense of the word.

Bagel-hol

The Bagel Store's walls are festooned with colorful images of unique bagels with one incongruous photo of Scot himself: a big bald guy with tattoos, arms folded across his chest. He seems intimidating. It's an illusion. Scot is the embodiment of Kid in a Candy Store and Mad Scientist combined. With every visit to his thoroughly clean lab, he's excited to show me his latest bagel innovation, creative collaboration or experiment in process. New Yorkers say that our bagels are so good because of the water. I used to say that too. Then I met Scot.