Albert Lee

Owner, Montague Street Bagels

Brooklyn, NY

“I view eating out as a treat to yourself. No time to skimp out on flavor. I just want to offer something that is not your usual meal.”

Is there anything more ‘New York’ than a bagel spot?  Albert Lee, owner of Montague Street Bagels in Brooklyn, NY, does not take this responsibility lightly. 

Located in the heart of Brooklyn Heights, Montague Street Bagels sits on a charming street in downtown Brooklyn deemed by a decades-old law as the only commercial corridor in it’s area with the intent to help businesses thrive.  

 We sat down with Albert a little over a year ago for our Owning It Series; a “get-to-know-you” segment featuring some of our customers, and caught up with Albert this week to see how things have been going.

A quick background, Albert spent much of his life in Brazil, where his family found success owning a clothing store, and he gained some real-life experience in the business world.  He moved back to NY when he was 15-years old to go to business school, and took over Montague right out of college with a vision to improve the quality of Montague Street’s only bagel shop “one item at a time.”

This 24-7 bagelry doesn’t have time to be “just” your everyday bagel shop. 

 “You should be able to find something new to try anytime you go into a place, and that new thing should taste good."

But with curfews in place across the nation, it is no surprise that this commercial district faced some challenges. 

 “Universities in the area transitioning away from on-campus courses, businesses not being in session---as you can imagine, business has been a bit of a struggle.”  

However, grateful for his location and the community surrounding Montague Street commerce, Albert is taking strides each day to support his employees and continue to provide the highest quality food and atmosphere for all who enter his doors.