Freshly brewed coffee fills the air as new and familiar faces approach the counter to order. The bagel displays to the left beam with options.

Sunrise Bagels on Albany Avenue is what you might call a quintessential neighborhood bagel store. It caters to a mix of loyal regulars who know the place like their own home, workers from nearby businesses, and the “new regulars” that co-owners Fotios (Frank) Skountzos and Clint Heathwood warmly welcome.

Skountzos previously owned a bagel store in Middletown called Downtown Bagels. While running that business, a coffee sales representative visited and mentioned that the owners of Sunrise Bagels were looking to sell. They were both Greek: After conversations, the original owners sold their business to Heathwood and Skountzos, passing on a legacy built over two decades.

The original owners were particular about finding buyers who would honor the store’s reputation. In a symbolic passing of the torch, one Greek bagel store owner entrusted the business to another. Since taking over a decade ago, Heathwood and Skountzos have remained dedicated to preserving the heart of Sunrise Bagels: its coffee and its bagels.

“We haven't changed the recipe in 30-some years,” said Heathwood. “We came here with the idea that we could tweak it if needed, since we had a successful bagel shop in Middletown. But we quickly realized this bagel doesn’t need fixing. Don’t touch it, don’t change it.”

This commitment to consistency keeps customers coming back. Even though Skountzos had his own successful recipe at Downtown Bagels, he prioritized maintaining what made Sunrise Bagels special. With Heathwood as his partner — and also his son-in-law — their combined efforts have kept the store thriving. Heathwood’s path into the business was unconventional: he dropped out of SUNY New Paltz as a finance major when Skountzos invited him to join.

“I just didn’t have an end goal,” Heathwood said. “What did I want to do with finance or marketing? Now, I’ve been here for 10 years. It’s been a long time.”

A decade in, Heathwood remains hands-on, working the front counter to keep the line moving and customers satisfied. Behind the scenes, the operation relies on just two people — one rolling the bagels and the other baking them fresh daily. Sunrise Bagels prides itself on producing “New York-style bagels” using the traditional method: hand-rolled, proofed, boiled and baked fresh every day.

Some customers have been loyal since the 1990s. John, a regular, shared, “When my grandchildren visit, they say, ‘We’re going to the bagel store every day, right?’ And we do. I bring these bagels whenever I visit someone. If I don’t, they ask for them.”

Customers like John now enjoy the small updates that Heathwood and Skountzos added when they took over the business. Originally, the store only had wooden tables that took up most of the seating area.

“There used to be plants all along [the walls]. It looked nice, but it's like the plants don't make your money. Seats make your money,” said Heathwood. To allow the space to have more seats, the co-owners installed booths along the windows. Other updates included colorful walls and a new commercial toaster. Despite these changes, the essence of the store remains the same.

Sunrise Bagels has been a cash-only establishment since it first opened its doors and is not looking to change that anytime soon. Their bagels are some of the most affordable prices in the area. While a stuffed bagel from the recently opened Moonrise Bagels can cost $8 or more, Sunrise offers a bagel with cream cheese or butter for just over $2. These competitive prices keep regulars like John coming back for a consistent, budget-friendly breakfast.

“We don't try to change what we do because somebody else is doing something different. We just stick to our guns,” said Heathwood. “We do what we know how to do. It is what we've been doing for all the years we've been here.”

Besides consistency, another commitment the owners have is trying to keep their non-bagel products local. He purchases some of his supplies from Freskeeto Foods and Hudson Valley Egg Co., both based in the Hudson Valley. The store’s lox comes from Samaki Smoked Fish, a family-owned business.

With its dedication to tradition, local partnerships, and a welcoming atmosphere, Sunrise Bagels remains a cornerstone of the community — a place where mornings begin with warmth and the perfect bagel. Despite the recent competition for Kingston’s bagel market, Heathwood and Skountzos remain confident in their loyal customer base.

Heathwood understands the demands of owning a business, but his passion for serving the community keeps him motivated.

“People enjoying our food is what really keeps me going and keeps me wanting to do what I’m doing. I never thought I’d be in customer service, but I’m a natural at it,” said Heathwood. “I don’t wake up dreading work. Every day is a new adventure, and meeting new people is my favorite part of this business.”

Sunrise Bagels is located at 496 Albany Ave. in Kingston and is open daily from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m., with an earlier closing time of 3 p.m. on Sundays.