QUEENS — A Forest Hills bagel shop, which in October became the scene of a dramatic accident after a box truck hopped a curb and crashed into it injuring six people, has reopened earlier this week.
“Everybody is happy, everybody came back,” said Alex Filtsev, 27, the manager at Bagels for You, which, in addition to bagels, also serves paninis, wraps, omelettes, salads and smoothies.
The store, at 113-29 Queens Blvd., near 76th Road, had to undergo major renovation after the truck crashed into it on Oct. 8, smashing its windows, injuring six people and wrecking equipment.
Among the injured was a woman, who was sitting at a table near the window with her infant baby and her mother. The victims also included passersby. Their injuries were not life threatening, the FDNY said at the time.
The store owners installed a new counter and changed the layout, making the shop more spacious. They also upgraded its menu, by adding more vegetarian options.
On Wednesday morning, the shop's regular customers said they were glad the store has finally reopened.
“They are a very important part of the community,” said Dr Steven Luel, whose office is located on the next block.
Luel said he had been coming to the store since it first opened about 10 years ago. He also said that when the shop was temporarily closed he was forced to, unwillingly, rely on a coffee maker at his office.
"I'm very happy that they've reopened," said Luel, while buying coffee and several bagels. “All of us come here,” he said referring to local residents and business owners.
Javier Grullon, 40, whose real estate office is located in the same building as the bagel shop, came to the store with his son, Anthony, 11, to get their favorite everything bagels with cream cheese.
“We come here almost every day for about 8 years,” said Grullon.
Filtsev said that despite its new look, the store has kept the same neighborhod feel it had before the crash. "I know every customer here. It's not like in Manhattan, where you have different people every day."
