Highwise Business
Columbus

Anything Bagel Opened in Former Block's Bagels Site

New ownership is leveraging heritage recipes and local labor to revitalize the Columbus storefront.

Updated on Sept. 28, 2026 in Openings & Closings

Bold vector editorial illustration of a single bagel on a wooden board, clean contemporary register representing a new local food business.
Anything Bagel has officially opened at the McNaughten Center in Columbus, bringing new menu items and community-focused initiatives to a space formerly occupied by Block's Bagels. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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In August 2026, Anything Bagel opened at 6115 McNaughten Center in Columbus, occupying the space formerly held by Block's Bagels. Owner TJ Burkheart purchased the operation from Marx Bagels to launch the new concept.

Why it matters

The business strategy centers on blending continuity with new product lines, aiming to preserve local brand loyalty while updating the menu to drive foot traffic. This approach allows the operator to leverage existing infrastructure and an experienced team to minimize transition friction.

Owner TJ Burkheart brings 30 years of restaurant experience to the new 6115 McNaughten Center location. The operation maintains continuity by retaining staff, including a head baker who has been on-site since 2007.

The players

TJ Burkheart

Owner of Anything Bagel with 30 years of industry experience.

Derek Hickey

Head baker who has operated at the 6115 McNaughten Center site since 2007.

Child Development Council of Franklin County

Local non-profit organization receiving proceeds from specific menu item sales.

The details

Anything Bagel utilizes the original recipes for bagels, schmears, and salads that defined the previous tenant. To distinguish the brand, the owner added new items like Philly Flava sandwiches and Caramel Cloud Macchiatos. The business also maintains a community-focused model by donating a portion of proceeds from select menu items to the Child Development Council of Franklin County's Head Start program.

Timeline

  1. Head baker Derek Hickey began working at the location in 2007.

  2. Block's Bagels closed its operations in March 2025.

  3. Anything Bagel opened for business in August 2026.

Market Landscape

The transition of this location follows the pattern set by the 2025 closure of Block's Bagels by retaining its core operational assets. It highlights a common strategy where new operators minimize overhead by acquiring existing production infrastructure and established local expertise.

Operators looking to acquire distressed retail space should evaluate the cost-benefit of retaining legacy production recipes versus full brand rebranding. Assessing the stability of existing staff can significantly reduce the training and ramp-up period during a change in ownership.

The takeaway

Legacy operations often serve as a foundation for new concepts, provided the owner balances historical appeal with modern menu innovation. Operators should monitor the success of the new product additions as a case study for updating stagnant brand identities.

Further reading

For more on industry shifts in the region, visit Openings & Closings.

Source note: This article includes information reported by The Columbus Dispatch.

Live Poll

Do you prefer that local restaurants keep original recipes or introduce new menu items?