Hannah McLean, left, and Geoff Ponitz work behind the counter at Sunrise Bagel in Oakland. The bagel shop on Main Street opened Saturday. Photo courtesy of Sunrise Bagel

OAKLAND — Sunrise Bagel opened its newest location on Saturday at 50 Main St. in Oakland.  

“It’s going really well. We sold out three days in a row,” Geoff Ponitz, general manager, said Tuesday. “It was like something out of a Hallmark movie for me. I grew up here, my parents bought this building, and it was a lot of work for Sunrise to get the property renovated and finished just in time. We were full (of people) the whole day.” 

Along with unique bagel flavors such as Kickin’ Maple Honey and Jalapeno Cheddar, they plan to offer specialty coffee drinks and smoothies at the location.  

Sunrise Bagel is the dream project of Tiffany Lopes, who opened the first location in Waterville on Water Street in 2021 and two years later, Lopes’ success supported an expansion into Augusta on Western Avenue. 

Oakland is the company’s newest location, in a building owned by Ponitz’s parents that they bought with hopes of revamping Oakland’s downtown. They hope to find a pub-style restaurant to go in an adjacent space that’s available to rent.

The Oakland bagel shop has the space to offer seating for the first time, which Ponitz hopes will allow employees to connect on a deeper level with customers. 

“We have regulars at Waterville and Augusta and our relationship with our customers (is) our driving force,” he said. “They are the air we breathe and their positive feedback on a daily basis is what drives us and the staff to work hard.” 

Sunrise Bagel in Oakland is open 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.