Our story
Prince A. Sanders and the story behind Traditional Bagel Café
A New Rochelle native bringing a career in hospitality home, alongside his husband, Petar, and their two daughters.
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Rooted in New Rochelle
A New Rochelle tradition, made better.
Traditional Bagel Café has long been part of New Rochelle’s morning rhythm. New Rochelle native Prince A. Sanders is leading its next chapter as the café’s owner, bringing the hospitality standards he learned back to his hometown. Prince is General Manager of The Wall Street Hotel, a former Joffrey Ballet dancer and the author of two children’s books, including The Extraordinarily Ordinary Life of Prince.
Prince’s husband, Petar, leads day-to-day operations. His five years with Joe Coffee, management of three Columbia locations and time at the former Joe Coffee in New Rochelle’s Stella building shaped the café’s coffee program: Colombian Supremo for drip coffee and Arabica beans for espresso.
Together, Prince and Petar are raising two daughters and prepare, roll and bake the café’s bagels on site. They use King Arthur Special Patent Flour, labeled “Never Bleached. Never Bromated.” The recipes contain no artificial dyes, including Red Dye 40, and now use naturally derived color.
“My standard is simple: I do not want to serve my community anything I would not feel comfortable serving my own children.”
The café is being renewed with care while protecting the familiar taste, neighborhood character and genuine welcome that regulars count on.
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