Several Woodhaven community members gathered outside Bagel Bin Tuesday night, Feb. 7, to take part in a vigil for the store’s late owner, Dennis Wang. Candles, signs and flowers were placed at the door of Bagel Bin by the community members and former employees.
The vigil was organized by Bagel Bin employees. Several people present spoke about Wang and what he and the store have meant to the community. They then concluded the vigil by sending up a bunch of balloons.
“He was a tough boss, but he was a hardworking man. He was a respectful man. He cared about Bagel Bin. He cared about his employees,” former employee Teresa Rosario said. “I want to thank everyone for coming to pay your last respects to Dennis.”
David Adorno, the owner of DMV Stop, located down the street from Bagel Bin, said Wang’s bagel shop acted as a congregation place for the community. Adorno had been going there since he was in middle school.
“We all had our favorite bacon, egg and cheese bagels from here,” Adorno said. “We loved waiting in line to get our food; I know I certainly did. I was a regular for years. It’s beautiful to see all these people out here.”
Whether or not Bagel Bin will remain open is up in the air. However, according to Rosario, it does not seem likely at the moment.
“Ever since I started working here, he has always treated me like a daughter,” former employee Andrea Cruz said. “I can’t say that I even looked at him as a boss. He was such a funny person. That’s one thing I can say: he made everyone in that place laugh. He was just such a wonderful light in this place and this business wouldn’t be capable if it wasn’t for him. He was so hardworking. He worked seven days a week. He was just such a kind soul.”
According to Adorno, employees first became concerned Saturday morning when they arrived for work, but Wang wasn’t there. He would typically arrive early in the morning to start making bagels. Later, the employees called the police, who did a wellness check on his apartment Sunday. The police found Wang unresponsive and took him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead Monday. It is believed he suffered a heart attack. Wang was in his mid-to-late 50s.
“The one thing I will about Dennis is that he loved Woodhaven,” Woodhaven resident Carmen Isabella said. “He was very community oriented. That’s why a lot of us are here. You didn’t have an event in Woodhaven without ordering and catering through the Bagel Bin. It’s a great loss for Woodhaven.”
