Rosenberg’s Bagels and Delicatessen
Who doesn’t love authentic, New York style bagels? Especially when they’re, “Made hot and fresh daily!” Denver got quite the treat when Rosenberg’s Bagels and Delicatessen opened its first location in 2014. As a fast-casual restaurant with lines that extend to the back door, the deli serves up not only freshly baked bagels and a variety of cured and smoked fish from around the globe, but also incredible hospitality.
Owner, Joshua Pollack, grew up in New York City and was passionate about two things: food and family. He originally moved to Boulder to study at the University of Colorado, and eventually made his way to Denver to work on his business plan while attending the Entrepreneur Program at the CU Denver Business School.
Just as yeast rises, so did Joshua’s career as an entrepreneur. He finished second place in the Jake Jabs Center for Entrepreneurship Business Plan Competition, which ultimately allowed him to open up his brick and mortar in the Five Points neighborhood of Denver.
But the shop’s success did not come without trials and tribulations. In May of 2016, Joshua got an unexpected phone call no one wants at 2:30 am. The deli was in flames from a fire that started in the apartment upstairs, causing the shop to close its doors for five months.
Joshua is a planner, but even he admits, “You can’t always plan for the unexpected.” However, having the financial and operational systems in place helped protect him and his company throughout the tragedy. Joshua’s employees were still paid during the months of reconstruction and he encouraged them to spend their time volunteering at local organizations.
Surviving the closure is a true testament to Joshua’s approach to business. Despite facing the challenges, he opened a second location in May of 2017 at the Stanley Marketplace. Using the SBA 7(a) loan program, Joshua was able to fund renovations, purchase inventory and equipment and secure working capital. This was made possible through a partnership between Tom Francis, who at the time was working with First National, and B:Side Capital.
