For nearly six decades, Block’s Bagels was a staple of the Columbus food scene, especially for those on the city’s east side. It wasn’t just a bagel shop; it was the bagel shop. The spot where you could get an authentic, no-nonsense, NYC-style bagel without having to book a flight to LaGuardia. The kind of place where the signage was charmingly old-school, the vibes were straight out of Queens, and the bagels? Absolute perfection — doughy yet light, full of flavor, and carrying that unmistakable Long Island magic.
So when the news broke that Block’s Bagels was closing its doors in early March 2025, it hit Columbus like a brick (or, well… a bagel that’s been sitting out too long). The closure came in the wake of founder Hal Block’s passing, and with it, an era of Columbus food history seemingly came to an end.
But, because every great bagel has two halves, there’s hope on the horizon.
The Magic of Block’s Bagels
I first discovered Block’s during my college years at Ohio State, and every visit felt special. It always puzzled me why this place didn’t get more widespread love — because good lord, the bagels were elite. The texture? Just right. The flavor? Unlike anything else in Columbus. Every bite felt like it belonged in a little shop off Bleecker Street.
Fast forward to early 2025. I hadn’t been to Block’s in a while, but when I heard the shop was closing after the death of Hal Block, I had to make one last stop. I had been craving a lox bagel — because when the bagel gods whisper, you listen.
But something was… off on this final visit.
The Downfall
The bagels themselves still tasted great, but the soul of Block’s felt missing. The energy, the personality, the life of the place had faded. Toppings and ingredients were sparse, and the whole vibe just felt like the shop was, understandably, in mourning. Mourning the impending closure, mourning the end of an era, mourning their fearless leader and Columbus legend, Hal Block…
And then, just when I thought the bagel-shaped hole in my heart would never be filled… I got some unexpected news.
A New Bagel Era in Columbus?
Shortly after Block’s closed, word got out that a Cincinnati-based bagel shop had bought the McNaughten Road location. Now, I’m always skeptical when an out-of-town brand moves in on a local legend — because let’s be real, it’s never the same.
But then, I learned one crucial piece of information that changed everything.
The shop taking over Block’s Bagels? It was founded by the same family that started Block’s in the first place.
Yep, you read that right.
The incoming bagel joint is Marx Bagels, a Cincinnati institution that traces its roots directly back to Hal and Audrey Block. According to Marx Bagels’ history, Hal and Audrey moved to Columbus in 1961 and found themselves in a bagel desert. So, in 1967, they reached out to one of Hal’s cousins in New York whose father was a bagel maker, started making their own, and opened a bakery called Hot Bagels, Inc. Hot Bagels, Inc. would eventually evolve into Block’s Bagels.
One of their employees, John Marx, ended up buying one of the Hot Bagels locations and renamed it to Marx’s Hot Bagels…
Fast forward to today, and Marx Bagels — now owned by YY and Rena Davis — is officially taking over the old Block’s location, bringing with them many of the very same recipes that made Block’s famous in Columbus.
So, Will It Live Up to the Legacy?
That’s the million-dollar question. Marx Bagels has been a staple in Cincinnati for over 50 years, but Columbus bagel lovers are rightfully skeptical. Can it truly replace the Block’s we knew and loved?
The good news? The recipes will be familiar. The bagels will still be baked using the traditional Block recipes from the old days at Hot Bagels, Inc. And furthermore, the new owners seem to understand the weight of the legacy they’re inheriting.
It won’t be exactly the same. But maybe, just maybe, the bagel magic isn’t gone — it’s just evolving.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on the reopening of the McNaughten Road spot and will report back with the full scoop (schmear?). In the meantime, let’s pour one out for Block’s Bagels — an absolute Columbus icon.
And if you’re as curious as we are about what’s next, stay tuned to our social media and newsletter. We’ll be first in line to see if these bagels live up to the hype.
What do you think? Will Marx Bagels be a worthy successor to Block’s?