Buffalo Grove honors Original Bagel & Bialy’s 13 years of community service

Lon Gitler serves more than lox and bagels, kosher bologna, potato latkes and matzo ball soup.

For 13 years, the owner of Original Bagel & Bialy at 105 McHenry Road has been serving the Buffalo Grove community.

This week, the Buffalo Grove village board honored Gitler’s contributions, as his business marked its 13th anniversary on May 2. Village President Eric Smith read a proclamation expressing the community’s gratitude.

Original Bagel & Bialy has sponsored several Buffalo Grove Park District events, including concerts in the park and senior functions. It also has donated breakfast to local teachers, the BG Expressions Group, Stevenson High School’s Hackathon event and the Best Buddies’ Clubs.

The shop even periodically donates its fare to Buffalo Grove police officers and firefighters and the village’s quarterly blood drives.

Gitler accepted the proclamation and, in a typical gesture, brought a sweet treat for those in attendance at Monday’s board meeting.

“We have great community support,” said Gitler, who lives in Buffalo Grove. “We give back and we are appreciative of the great customer support. This is my home and my workplace.”

That customer support comes from patrons like Mundelein resident Barbara Mosberg, who has been visiting Original Bagel & Bialy since it opened. Among her favorites are the salads, soups and omelets.

“My husband loves the bagels,” she added.

Gitler is another reason she keeps returning, along with “the personal touch, the good food, the consistency.”