2 decades of Montreal bagel-making expertise comes to Dartmouth

A family from Montreal is bringing their knowledge and experience of baking Montreal bagels to the East Coast.

Labana Singh, along with his wife Kulwinder and daughter Parabhjot, have opened Bagel Montreal Style on Dartmouth's Wyse Road.

"We will have lots of variety," said Singh. "We'll have coconut, banana-chocolate, carrot."

Prior to arriving in Nova Scotia, Singh baked Montreal bagels in wood-fired ovens for two decades after the family moved to the city from India.

"The key is to hand roll them and boil them in honey water," said Singh. "Then you cook them in a wood-burning oven, that's the real Montreal-style bagel."

First day of business

Today marked the first day of business for Bagel Montreal Style and there was a steady stream of customers who were keen to give the new bagels a try.

"First thing this morning I got up and rushed out and got three bagels for myself, my wife and my son," said Kevin Nugent. "Everybody has their preference but I do love the Montreal style and that's why I'm so excited about it."

Devon Bundy was on his way home from working a night shift in Halifax when he stopped in for his first look at the new business.

"There's always room in the market for new things like this," said Bundy. "Coming from a bigger city into our smaller city, I think it will be a good business."

The family did some research before making the life-changing decision to leave Montreal and set up shop in Nova Scotia. They quickly realized there was room in the Halifax market for Montreal bagels with wood-fired ovens.

Images they saw of the Nova Scotia coastline also helped in their decision to pull up stakes and head east.

"It's nice here and very beautiful," said Singh. "The people are also very nice and friendly and it's easy to go everywhere, no heavy traffic."

Located near the Angus L. Macdonald Bridge, which spans Halifax harbour, Singh said his family is hoping to cash in on commuters travelling to and from work in Halifax.