News Brief: Wednesday, February 9, 2000

Bagel store openingBagel store openingdelayed by a week Previously scheduled to launch service on Monday, Izzy and Zoe's now awaits final work by contractors, owner Elissa Rivkind's husband Jon Rivkind said. "Unfortunately, I'm at the mercy of some contractors," said Rivkind, who owns the Fairmount Bagel Institute in Center City, adding that once work is completed, he will need several days to run equipment checks before customers arrive. Izzy and Zoe's will occupy the 1,550 square-foot space formerly held by My Favorite Muffin on 40th Street. Since Penn's last bagel store, University Bagels, closed in 1998, students have clamored for another bagel shop. Neighboring the Sundance Cinemas complex and the Freshgrocer.com specialty food market, the new establishment will be unrecognizable to those familiar with its predecessor, with about 40 seats, Internet outlets and a bartop for studying, Rivkind said last month. Izzy and Zoe's menu will offer sandwiches, soups, salads and traditional Jewish specialties to customers from 7 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m., according to Rivkind, whose daughter and grandfather serve as the store's namesakes. -- Aliya Sternstein