New bagel shop in Waugh Chapel fulfills dream of owner’s late son

Owner Jerry Osuna stands with a wall of hopeful sayings behind him as he holds a Teddy bear made from the clothing of his late son, Nico. Osuna recently opened Nico’s Bagels & Brunch, in Crofton, to honor Nico, who took his own life. Paul W. Gillespie/Staff

A recently opened bagel shop in Waugh Chapel wants to feed hungry customers and raise awareness about mental health.

Nico’s Bagels, located behind Dick’s Sporting Goods on Waugh Chapel Way, held its grand opening Oct.17. Owner Jerry Osuna opened the restaurant with his neighbors, Dan and Joy Shields. The shop is dedicated to Nico Osuna, who died by suicide in 2018 at the age of 21.

At the time, Nico Osuna was studying hospitality management at Florida International University with the goal of opening his own restaurant. Jerry Osuna, a Crofton-area resident for about 40 years, has worked in bagel shops for over 15 years.

When you enter the restaurant, there is a tribute board to Nico Osuna. Alongside written affirmations such as “It’s all good” and “Hope” with the suicide awareness ribbon inside are artworks from Nico Osuna.

The shop sells New York-style bagels and sandwiches. Proceeds from the sale of certain specialty bagels such as Fruity Pebbles, Oreos and what they call “flagels,” or flat bagels, go toward Nico’s Hope for Life Foundation, a nonprofit Jerry Osuna started soon after his son died.

“About a year ago, we realized people were calling us and thanking us for [the foundation’s work]. We’re helping. And we felt like, you know what? I thought this would be a great idea. Let’s go a little further and have my son’s dream come true and open a restaurant,” he said.

The restaurant also sells gelato and what they call “bagel dunkers,” an idea that Nico imagined in college. The dunkers are bite-sized bagels in a cup with a side of cream cheese for dipping. Proceeds from some of the gelato flavors and the dunkers also go toward the foundation.

The nonprofit gives out scholarships to students who graduate from St. Mary’s, a Catholic school in the city of Annapolis, and are planning to pursue a career in mental health. It also helps families pay for therapy.

“I think our businesses, it’s our responsibility to give back. … I’m blessed that people enjoy coming here… They have so many options to go to have a bagel and they come here and help us out, and support us, and support the cause and our mission,” Jerry Osuna said. “It’s not all about bagels. It’s not all about the business. It’s about being giving back and supporting the community and those who are suffering.”

EDITOR’S NOTE: In the U.S., the national suicide and crisis lifeline is available by calling or texting 988. There is also an online chat at 988lifeline.org. Have a news tip? Contact Megan Loock at [e-mail] or 443-962-5771.