A bagel shop with a unique approach and large social media presence could soon be popping up in Arlington, the latest addition to the county’s bagel scene.
Connecticut-based PopUp Bagels — known for its “rip and dip” style and social media posts that regularly earn hundreds of thousands of views — is planning a new Arlington location after celebrating a crowded grand opening in Georgetown last Friday.
The shop serves up fresh, whole bagels alongside tubs of schmear — not for sandwiching, but for dipping.
“Confirming there is a location in Arlington on the way,” a spokesperson told ARLnow.
It’s unclear where and when the shop plans to open, and the spokesperson declined comment on further details. However, the news makes PopUp Bagels the third bagel shop in recent weeks to share upcoming Arlington plans, joining Call Your Mother and Bagel Uprising, which are each preparing to open in Ballston.
PopUp Bagels’ baked goods are available in plain, everything, poppy seed, salt and sesame varieties. Its bagels are only sold by the bag, starting at $15 for three bagels and one tub of cream cheese or butter.
The shop offers rotating special flavors, like cake batter cream cheese or an herbed “hotel butter.” In Georgetown, an 8-ounce pack of smoked salmon can be added for $26.
“At PopUp Bagels, our mission is fueled by passion and dedication: to craft unmistakably perfect bagels with no frills, using the essence of simplicity — crispy crusts, soft crumb centers, and an ideal proportion of seeds,” the shop’s website reads. “Every bagel is a product of precision, from the high-quality ingredients in our dough to the meticulous proofing process and expert bake that achieves the perfect texture and flavor.”
PopUp Bagels has about 30 franchise locations nationwide. It is currently charting a 300-shop expansion, with the goal of opening at least 100 locations by the end of 2027.
Founder Adam Goldberg started PopUp Bagels in Westport, Conn., in 2020. The Georgetown location is the George Washington University graduate’s first franchise location to appear in the D.C. area. According to Axios, another location is planned in Bethesda, Md.
Photo via PopUp Bagels/Instagram
