Bagel Union

8705 Big Bend Boulevard
Webster Groves, MO 63119

Ted and Sean, owners of Union Loafers in St. Louis’ Botanical Heights neighborhood, researched bagels and bagel shops for years before contacting SPACE Design + Construction to put their findings to work on their Webster Groves bagel shop. We were excited to help them with their new endeavor in renovating a vacant storefront just north of I-44. They meticulously scrutinized bagels, cream cheese, and smoked fish, and also focused on the guest experience and flow in their small space that would soon have customers lined up out the door.

Bagel Union is housed in a former paint store. The retail strip it’s in is part of a walkable residential area. The space is small: just large enough for bagel production, order prep, registers, a few tables, and a queueing area. Because of the tight quarters, the floor plan revealed itself quickly, but the design took some deliberation. There could be no wasted space. The owners wanted to carry their already-established eclectic visual brand from Union Loafers to this restaurant while paying homage to traditional bagel shops. A modern deli with vintage touches would create the vibe they wanted to match their classic bagels.

The result is a bright space that incorporates a voluptuous curved soffit and ordering counter clad in natural white oak. The signature blue carried over from Union Loafers is featured in a custom-made retro floor tile which gives a playful pattern to the space. Classic globe lights along with chrome and marble accents round out the space for a clean aesthetic that harkens back to old school East Coast bagel shops without falling into cheesy nostalgia. In 2023 SPACE Design + Constructions was awarded a second-place Pinnacle Award in Hospitality Design from the American Society of Interior Design for our work on Bagel Union.