Food cart turns retail storefront

After launching The Mighty Bagel food cart downtown in August 2012, Kyle and Bethany Gerecke moved into Fremont Center retail space Oct. 26.

The husband-and-wife business partners are operating under Legacy Bagelry & Bakery LLC at 3049 S. Fremont Ave., where they’ve leased 1,600 square feet to produce bagels for wholesale and retail sales.

The Gereckes started The Mighty Bagel food cart three years ago in Cape Girardeau and have built a following in Springfield largely through selling at Farmers Market of the Ozarks, Bethany Gerecke said. In January, the duo added wholesale clients and now serve roughly 15 businesses, including Mudhouse, Brown Egg and the cafe at Bass Pro Shops, as well as bagel four-packs at Homegrown Food and MaMa Jean’s.

Menu items include individual boiled bagels for $1.20, a baker’s dozen with house cream cheese for $18.50 and hot bagel sandwiches priced at $3.50 to $7.

Working with Jeff Hays of R.B. Murray Co., Legacy Bagelry signed a one-year lease with options for $2,000 a month from landlord Ataractic Investment Co. LLC, Bethany Gerecke said.

The majority of the new space is dedicated to kitchen operations, and Gerecke said the company also bakes cookies and muffins and offers event catering. The Gereckes previously leased the commercial kitchen at 319 Event Center, and Bethany Gerecke said the business has grown into the need for its own kitchen.

Starting with a single food cart – inspired by a bagel cart the couple saw in Carbondale, Ill. – The Mighty Bagel had targeted downtown crowds on weekend nights and later outside Boonville Avenue’s The Hub Coffee & Bicycles. The Gereckes found a home this year at the south-side market at Farmers Park.

“The mobile food business is unique, so you have to find the right spot and the right time,” she said.