http://www.willysbagelsandblends.com

110 degrees magazine - Index

110 degrees magazine - magazine - Index

Willy’s is connecting especially with area youth
high school groups and sponsoring special team
building events. The two sons, Ryan and Scott,
are young enough to make a connection with
area students; young people come in and say,
“How are you today, Mr. Willy?” They attend high
school games and are boosters for both
Brentwood high schools.
“Parents appreciate our connection with their
kids,” Ryan said. “We provide a safe place for
young people.” And then Ron added, “The
students provide us with an entrée to families,
as the kids tell their parents about what a great
place Willy’s is.”
Community service is what Willy’s Bagels is
all about; the family’s purpose goes beyond
simply earning an income.
Sociologists describe the need many people
have for a Third Place where they can go that isn’t
home or work. Willy’s is becoming that Third Place
for some residents. The Richardsons provide a
social environment so that customers can feel a
sense of belonging. Kids sometimes drop in for
study groups. Both sites offer free wireless so
students can check WebPages like wikepedia.com
for at-their-finger-tips information.
When she made the award of Business of the
Year, the president of the chamber, Kathy Reed,
hit the nail on the head when she said that
Willy’s Bagels and Blends reminds her of Cheers.
“You may go one time into Willy’s and don’t
get the effect,” Kathy said. “But if you come back
a second time you’ll be sure to come back again.
You’ll see people you know; see a smiling face.”
It takes as few as three visits to one of the
shops to become a regular. Customers feel that
we’ve got a place “where everybody knows your
name.” Some customers come in several times a
year; a number of them come in several times a
week; at least one loyal customer has made a
stop at Willy’s Bagels part of her daily routine.
After 14 years Willy’s Bagels is an institution.
Starbucks are located everywhere; Willy’s
customers drive to their two locations. “Customers
are our extended family,” Ron said. “One loyal
customer brought us back a ukulele from Hawaii.”
A customer was overheard to say a few weeks
ago, “If you sit in Willy’s Bagels long enough
almost everyone in Brentwood will eventually
walk past you.” A lot of them will, for sure.
For more information on services or catering go ° to
www.willysbagelsandblends.com, visit us at 1155 2nd
Street, Suite D (in the Safeway shopping center, 925-
634-2245) or 390 W Country Club Drive (across from
Heritage High School, 925-308-7534). Send any
comments on the article to editors@110mag.com.
LIP-SMACKING I BLOOM
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DYNAMIC DIGITAL ADVERTISING IS HERE
Promote your business
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Two Locations in
Brentwood, 4,462
impressions to 20,000
customers per month.
LOCATION! LOCATION! LOCATION!
“If you sit in Willy’s Bagels
long enough almost everyone
in Brentwood will
eventually walk past you.”
CALL FOR INFORMATION: 925-783-7479
September/October 2008 www.110mag.com 81