Central Perk & Bagel Co. owners Jeff and Rennie Palmer stand with the cafe’s bagel bins where customers can self-serve or choose from 18 different types of freshly made bagels from the menu. (Staff photo by Norine Longo.)
By Norine Longo
When the hit television show Friends ended its 10-year run in 2004, the show’s influence lived on. Case in point: Jeff and Rennie Palmer’s Central Perk & Bagel Co.
Rennie, a fan of the show, was inspired to name the bagel shop after the café hangout of the six friends on the show. Abbreviated to “The Perk” by customers, the bagel shop opened in June 2002 and will celebrate eight years in business this summer.
Rennie had the idea to own a cafe-type business as early as 1994 and it re-emerged after her marriage to Jeff, about eight years later. She presented the idea to him as something they could do on their own. They would also bring something new to the table: bagels.
The reason for the addition of bagels originated with Rennie’s time with the Hightstown High School band. As a member of the band, she often participated in daily fundraisers that included the sale of bagels.
“That’s really where I developed my taste for them,” she said.
Prior to The Perk’s opening, neither Rennie nor her husband had a background in the restaurant or food industries. So the couple hired bagel consultants from Colorado to help establish the menu, layout and overall feel of the business.
Rennie said the atmosphere they have developed in the shop is a warm, friendly, family environment.
One of their most popular areas is one for kids, with a chalkboard wall that can accommodate about 10 children drawing on the board.
The Perk now offers 18 different types of bagels including their popular French toast, jalapeno-cheddar and asiago bagels.
“The taste is big, and the size is even bigger,” said Rennie of their bagels. Their bagel baker starts baking at 5 a.m. and continues baking regularly as necessary throughout the day. “He’s very particular in making sure that bagels are made the same way every time,” Rennie said.
She said they’re confident they’re giving customers a great product and that it means a lot to them to be able to do that. They use leftover bagels to make bagel chips that are served free with lunch and sandwiches. Any further leftovers are donated to Allies, Inc., a local nonprofit organization that distributes them to adults with disabilities.
Rennie said Jeff has become a popular person at the business, especially amongst sports fans. Jeff, a Phillies fan, often has customers come in and talk sports or tease him about his team. “They give him a hard time, but it’s all in good fun,” she said. “A lot of good laughs come from it.”
Other menu items include breakfast sandwiches, salads, soups, bagel dogs, pizza bagels and fruit smoothies. Central Perk also offers coffee and an espresso bar.
In the future, Rennie would like to grow and expand their catering service. It’s something customers often ask about. But for now, the only expansion keeping them busy is one that took place in their family. The Palmers recently welcomed 1-month-old Sean. Jeff and Rennie are also parents to Will, 8, and Michael, 4.
Central Perk & Bagel Co. is located at 2130 Route 33, Suite B in Hamilton. It is open Monday from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m., Tuesday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sunday from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. For more information, call (609) 631-8080.
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