Full Breakdown
New Absolute Bagels Renamed Amid Legal Threats
3/4/2026, 3:33:45 AM
Legal Dispute Over Name Change
New Absolute Bagels, a bagel shop located on the Upper West Side of Manhattan, has officially changed its name to “2788 Bagels” following a legal threat from its previous owner, Sam Thongkrieng. The name change was implemented over the weekend to avoid a lawsuit after Thongkrieng, who operated the original Absolute Bagels for three decades, threatened legal action if the new owners continued to use the name. The shop had been closed by the New York City Health Department in December 2025 due to numerous health-code violations.
Background on Previous Ownership
Thongkrieng's tenure at Absolute Bagels ended after the establishment was shut down due to severe health violations, including the presence of rat droppings in food preparation areas and unsanitary conditions, such as dead rodents found in glue traps. The Health Department's inspection report highlighted significant issues, prompting an immediate closure. Despite having the option to rectify these conditions, Thongkrieng chose to permanently close the business instead.
New Ownership and Future Plans
Andy Kimm, the manager of New Absolute Bagels, expressed a desire to maintain the legacy of the original shop despite the name change. Kimm stated, “We wanted to keep the name and continued negotiations, but they were not accepted,” emphasizing the commitment to preserving the shop's culture and taste. The new owners have made minor aesthetic changes to the interior and aim to improve upon the previous management's standards, which had resulted in a 67-point violation sheet during the last inspection.
Community Response
Local customers have expressed optimism regarding the new ownership, hoping for a cleaner and more hygienic operation compared to Thongkrieng's management. Rafe Evans, the broker involved in the sale, noted that Thongkrieng initially seemed indifferent about transferring the name but later changed his stance, leading to the current legal dispute.
Official Statements & Responses
While neither Thongkrieng nor Kimm provided comments to the media, the Health Department's representative described the previous conditions as unacceptable, highlighting the severity of the violations that led to the shop's closure.
Criticism & Opposition
Critics of Thongkrieng's management have pointed to the egregious health violations as a significant failure in maintaining food safety standards. The community's hope for a fresh start under new ownership reflects a desire for improved hygiene and service at the beloved bagel shop.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Ribeiro for NY Post “The previous owner threatened legal action if we continued to use the name.” — Andy Kimm, Manager of New Absolute Bagels
- “He was always a bit of a surly fellow,” — Rafe Evans, Broker for the Sale
The transition from Absolute Bagels to 2788 Bagels marks a significant shift in ownership and management, with the new team aiming to restore the establishment's reputation in the community.
