Bronx Boy Bagels

Stephen and Judy Salamon, native New Yorkers, moved to Danville in the summer of 2004. Looking for a change of pace and lifestyle, the Salamons bought an old Victorian on West Main Street and spent the next two years rehabilitating it. Once completed, the Salamons began work on Stephen’s life long dream of owning and operating a bagel store.

After looking at many of downtown Danville’s beautiful old buildings, they purchased 316 Main Street and began another rehab project. With Judy working as General Contractor (while Stephen taught at O.T. Bonner Middle School), the Salamons took down ceilings, removed century old plaster exposing original brickwork, refinished old heart pine floors and decorated the store with industrial fixtures to create an ambiance that is par none in the downtown area.

The Salamons recent were recognized for this work by the Danville Historical Society and the Downtown Danville Association with a certificate for “Reclaiming Our Heritage,” by rehabilitating the Thomas McCulley Restaurant and Saloon (circa 1890), now the Bronx Boy Bagel Bakery and Deli.

What began as a dream of a simple bagel and muffin bakery, has now turned into a full fledged bakery and delicatessen. Besides baking bagels and muffins from scratch, the bakery side also makes fresh baked éclairs, cream puffs, brownies and an assortment of specialty cakes, cookies and bread. The Salamons also import from New York, Carnegie Deli cheese cake, strudel, black forest cake, seven layer cake and carrot cake.

Seeing an opportunity to bring a little taste of New York to Danville, the Salamons also imported Carnegie Deli pastrami, corned beef, roast beef, potato and kasha knishes. To complement these tasty deli meats, they also brought in from New Jersey, Thumann’s deli meats, cheeses and salads. As example of these products include a variety of turkey breasts, Virginia ham, pepperoni, provolone, mozzarella, horse radish cheddar cheese, red skin potato salad macaroni salad and cole slaw.

To top things off, the Salamons built a stage on the second story dining area and named it “The House of Bagels Ballroom.” Every Friday night is “Open Mic Night,” where local talent shows their “stuff” to Danville for free. As for Saturdays, the “ballroom” is available for booking private parties or the Salamons will occasionally book bands for the evening. Well, so much for the simple bagel shoppe.