Dave Aldrich, owner of Marblehead-based nonprofit Grab the Bagel, took his business across town lines Saturday morning, using his own bakery to honor the legacy of another iconic bakery in Swampscott.
Partnering with Dockside Pub on Humphrey Street, Aldrich brought his bagel bus to commemorate Newman’s Bakery and the Newman family, who were in attendance Saturday morning.
Before closing in 2020, Newman’s Bakery was serving the Swampscott community for almost 55 years. After moving to town from Malden, Bertha and Joe Newman opened the bakery in 1966, and quickly became a community hotspot.
Aldrich, whose organization is based out of the Jewish Community Center of the North Shore in Marblehead, had been one of their dedicated customers, and wanted to do something to honor the Newmans from one bakery to another.
“I was a long-time devoted customer at Newman’s and being 65 steps away from their front door was an easy decision,” Aldrich said in a statement.
After nearly 40 years of running the bakery, it was passed down to Bertha and Joe’s kids, Jessica and Bernard Newman, in the early 2000s.
“I am so grateful to Dave for his heartfelt tribute to our many years in business in Swampscott,” Jess Newman said. “A special thanks to the wonderful friends who showed up to honor my family.”
Aldrich said that he approached Dockside Pub owner Andrew Ingemi about the idea, to which Ingemi responded “What a terrific idea and resource to the community. I’m all in.”
Deb Newman added that she “was struck by his (Dave Aldrich) thoughtful and unique idea.”
“And, of course, I wished my parents, Joe and Bertha, could have enjoyed Dave’s generous tribute,” Deb Newman added.
For Bernard Newman, the event was like taking a trip down memory lane, seeing some familiar faces.
“What was most meaningful to me was seeing some of our wonderful customers again, and hearing how much our family’s endeavor meant to them,” Bernard Newman said.
At the event, 10 bagel towers were raffled off, and Ingemi contributed a $100 gift certificate on behalf of the pub.
The bagel bus will be available outside of Dockside Pub on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.