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Community Corner

Who's Behind the Counter: Andy Han at Sam's Bagels

Han is up before dawn every day to bake fresh bagels for Catonsville.

Catonsville Patch: How long have you been in business in Catonsville?

Andy Han: Only 2 ½ years, but I have been running various businesses in and around Baltimore ever since I came here with my family from South Korea over 30 years ago. I’ve had a liquor store, a convenience store, a deli, and now Sam’s Bagels. I knew nothing about how to make bagels! But I learned, and now my customers say that these are the best bagels around.

Patch: Why did you choose Catonsville? 

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Han: It was getting hard to run a business in Baltimore City. I wanted to move to where I felt safer. I found this franchise for sale and even though I live in Timonium, I decided that Catonsville would be a great place to work.

Patch: What do you like about being in Catonsville?

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Han: People in Catonsville care about each other. There is a group that comes in every morning for breakfast. I hear about everything that’s going on in town. If someone is sick, they send them a card. My customers are very kind to me; one of them made a website for my Sam’s Bagels.

Patch: What’s a typical day like?

Han: I have to start making the bagels at 4 a.m. on weekdays and 3 a.m. on the weekends. I serve breakfast and lunch and then I get home by the middle of the afternoon.

Patch: What is your busiest time of year?

Han: Summer is slowest. People are on vacation and there are not as many students around. I get kids in here from CCBC and UMBC and from the local schools and sports teams. We usually are busy on Sundays between people coming in after church and from the farmers market.                                                                          

Patch: What's your signature service or specialty?

Han: We make our own flavored cream cheeses with all-natural ingredients. They are very popular. The most popular bagels are plain and everything. People like the way I coat the top and bottom of the bagel. It costs me more but I like to be proud of my bagels.

Patch: What’s one of the hardest things about your work?

Han: When I first started getting up so early, I used to need to take a nap around 10 a.m., but now I am used to it. I even wake up without the alarm. The hardest thing now is working seven days a week. I’m here all the time that we’re open.

Patch: What are you proud of?

Han: I’m always proud when I make the customer happy. I try the best I can.

Patch: What’s your favorite thing about your work?

Han: I like to work. I’m always moving. I like to take care of business and make sure that everything is done right.

Patch: Do you have any specials or loyalty programs for customers?

Han: We are getting ready to make a loyalty card. We do have deli specials every day. People like my tuna and chicken salads.

Patch: What are you looking forward to?

Han: Business is not great. The economy is bad and everyone is struggling. I like to give part-time work to high school and college kids, but I can’t give so many hours right now. Still, when the economy gets better, I would like to open another Sam’s Bagels someday.

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