WESTWOOD, N.J.—The year was 1969… Richard Nixon was president and over 400,000 would gather in upstate New York for the Woodstock Music Festival. The Mets won the World Series and the Jets won the Super Bowl. The New York Knicks were on top and Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. It was the year that the first ATM was introduced and the internet was in its infancy. It’s also the year the Montreal Expos were formed—they later became the Washington Nationals, the 2019 World Series Champions!
Yet to one local Westwood business, another event dwarfs all those in importance. In December 1969, their patriarch Arthur Goldberg, known as Artie, opened his first bagel store in New Jersey.
On Dec. 8, 1969, Goldberg’s Bagels—today known for its flagship Westwood store, and locations in Park Ridge, Emerson, and Northvale—opened its doors.
The original store opened at 425 Broadway in Westwood. It was a small shop at just 800 square feet, and it sold just bagels.
“We were in that location until June of 2012,” Howard Goldberg said. “The store then moved around the corner in 2012 to its first location on Westwood Avenue. And then one more move to our current location at 90 Westwood Avenue.”
The present storefront was once a Woolworth’s going back to the 1930s, and later became a CVS in 1976.
“Now 50 years later, Goldberg’s is the longest running family-owned bagel store in Bergen County, maybe even in New Jersey. All thanks to Artie!” said Howard. “We lost our dad Jan. 18, 1988, but his memory still lives on, and his recipes! We always say that Artie watches down on the store.”
Barbara, Arthur’s wife who still owns the store, checks in daily. You’ll find her schmoozing, having breakfast and enjoying the customers who come in.
“The entire Goldberg family and staff would like to thank all of our wonderful customers who made this all possible,” said Howard.
Barbara, Terry, Marc and Howie Goldberg, along with the entire staff, would like to thank the community for 50 years of patronage.
Goldberg’s Famous Bagels is located at 90 Westwood Ave., Westwood, open 5 a.m. daily. Its other locations are at 150 Kinderkamack Road, Park Ridge; 185 Kinderkamack Road, Emerson; and 216 Livingston St., Northvale. All three open at 6 a.m. daily.