BEREA, Ky (LEX 18) — It's one of the most talked about restaurants in Berea and now it's receiving some love from one of the top review sites in the country. Yelp named Native Bagel Company one of the top women-owned business in the country.
From humble beginnings, "I built a commercial kitchen in my garage. And we sold bagels from a cart at the farmer's market," owner, Katie Startzman said. To downtown Berea on Chestnut Street.
Two years later, owner Katie Startzman has watched Native Bagel Company transform to a small-town favorite. "Our breakfast sandwich, we use eggs that are from Berea College and we use sausage that's locally farmed," Startzman said.
It's all run by women; the owner, manager, baker and cashier. "I've had employees work for me that have thought about starting their own businesses, we also currently have some interns who are entrepreneurs," Startzman said.
An inspiration to others and an accomplishment that is now being recognized by Yelp, naming the Native Bagel Company as one of the top women-owned businesses in the country.
"It felt very affirming to be recognized for what we are doing. This is hard, it's a grind to provide excellent service, excellent food, day after day. and so to be recognized for that, it feels like we are on the right path," Startzman said.
