Mark Curley of Curley’s Bagels: Sourdough Disrupts Sunnyside
In a city where bagels are practically a way of life, making a mark isn’t easy. New Yorkers know their bagels—dense, chewy, with a glossy crust and the perfect balance between crunch and softness. But Mark Curley, co-founder of Curley’s Bagels in Sunnyside, Queens, wanted to introduce something just a touch different to his neighborhood. Mark joined BagelFest’s Bagel Buzz Instagram Live series to unpack the story behind the shop’s sourdough bagels, the journey from film and TV to bakery life, and what it means to build community one roll at a time.
Queens Gets a Distinctive Twist
With decades of restaurant experience brought in by partners Ann Muldoon and Killian Hunt, and his own background in film and TV, Mark opted for sourdough bagels—a bold move for a city proud of its bagel roots.
Instead of the typical yeast, Curley’s leans on the fermentative powers of sourdough. The result? “You get a little sourdough flavor to it. It's a little softer, it's crunchy on the outside…you just don’t feel as full after you eat a bagel,” Mark explains. The health benefits, including better digestion, echo industry trends noted by host Sam Silverman.
Filling Sunnyside’s Bagel Void
Despite the wealth of bagel shops across New York, for years Sunnyside lacked its own destination. As a longtime resident, Mark saw the gap firsthand and decided to fill it. With prime real estate on the south side of Queens Boulevard, near schools and the busy 7 train, Curley’s quickly became a local favorite.
The shop’s success isn’t just about product—it’s about people. Mark emphasizes the importance of feeling known, both as a customer and as a team member. “Want to feel everybody…like a family. Legit, like a family. Really great place to come to work and just come to work hard. But we're going to have a good time and… build a community around the bagel shop.”
From Film Sets to Flour Bags
For Mark, moving from location manager in film and TV to running a bakery was no ordinary transition. Without prior experience in food service, he brought a storyteller’s touch to crafting the shop’s vibe and brand. Those years behind the camera have paid off—Curley’s excels at short-form video content on Instagram and TikTok. His advice for other shop owners? “Just shoot. Sometimes they work, sometimes they don’t…we want people to show that we're having fun.”
By sharing behind-the-scenes moments, featuring the staff, and telling the bagel story authentically, Curley’s bridges the gap between product and personal connection.
Looking Ahead
This year, Curley’s Bagels stands proud as one of only two Queens representatives at the New York BagelFest, alongside the storied Utopia Bagels. The competition isn’t about rivalry; it’s about community. Meeting fellow bakers and sharing the joys and challenges of small-business ownership keeps passion alive.
For Mark, it all comes full circle: “We’ve been fans of Utopia and been going to Utopia for many, many years. I just feel super honored and excited to be a part of BagelFest…being huge Mets fans and bagel fans. This is all coming together. We love it. It’s a full circle here.”
Curley’s Bagels is rewriting what neighborhood entrepreneurship looks like in Queens. Through sourdough bagels, unique flavors, savvy marketing, and fearless storytelling, Mark and his team are building a vibrant cultural hub.
Check out Curley’s website and Instagram.
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Catch more Bagel Buzz conversations on Instagram @bagelfest