Elemy’s Bagels Proving Successful for Augusta Entrepreneurs

Bagels are just the beginning for Steven & Abigail Boyd.  

The couple opened Elemy’s Bagels in October. Although they were both raised in Columbus, Ohio Steven had, because of the military, attended high school in the Augusta area. Steven initially worked in corporate management McDonald’s before enlisting in the Army at the age of 34. He came out of the service wanting to find a way to capitalize on his restaurant experience and to give back in some capacity. He also wanted to do it without getting back into the corporate world. After settling in the CSRA, the couple found themselves wanting for a good bagel, and in that saw an opportunity a void that needed filling.  

Steven began to research New York bagels, and what it was that made them the gold standard. He investigated the creation process, the science, and the art of it. He even investigated using water from New York City for authenticity.  

He decided against importing the water.  

He investigated and experimented for close to a year before he felt comfortable enough with what he was creating. The Boyds initially dipped their toe into the bagel waters by selling them at the Augusta Market on the River downtown. The response from customers led to the opening of their shop. 

When they opened last fall, it was just the two of them. They thought they might be ready for a third employee somewhere around the first of the year. Another part of the equation is the couple’s two small children - the name Elemy’s is a combination of their names. They quickly discovered, and are still working through, the time commitment needed to properly run a small business. Within a few weeks they realized they would need to hire sooner rather than later. They have since hired six people. 

They take great pride in the fact that people who claim to know a good New York bagel when they taste one rave about Elemy’s. Many of their early customers discovered them at the downtown market and have since turned into regular, weekly customers. 

The Boyds knew, going into business, that they had larger aspirations. They realize that Elemy’s is their entrée to people. Get them to try a bagel. Get them to enjoy a bagel. Once that is accomplished, they are excited to reach out to wholesale companies and get their products in other venues. 

Elemy’s is located on Verandah Drive in Augusta, next door to The Boardroom. Along with made-in-house bagels, Elemy’s also sells muffins, cinnamon rolls, bagel bites and chips, various flavors of cream cheese, soft drinks, and coffee. 

Elemy’s is open 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday, Thursday, and Friday, 8 a.m. – 2 p.m. Saturday, and 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Sunday.