Muslims Rescue Brooklyn Bagel Shop

Coney Island Bialys and Bagels was set to close.

The city's oldest Jewish bagel shop has been rescued by two Muslim businessmen.

Peerzada Shah and Zafaryab Ali recently took over the 91-year-old Coney Island Bialys and Bagels.

Ali once worked as a baker there and contacted his former roommate when he heard the shop was closing.

The partners will continue to use the same recipes and shop's kosher-certified equipment. They'll also serve the shop's popular kosher menu.

Most of the staff is staying too.

Former shop owner Steven Ross has been advising them. He closed the shop in September because of the bad economy.

Ali is a taxi driver and Shah attended culinary school in Manhattan. Both grew up in Pakistan.

The story was first reported by The Jewish Daily Forward's food blog, The Jew and the Carrot.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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