Bagel Store Owner Salutes East Hampton Police

EAST HAMPTON, NY — One East Hampton bagel maker has a heartfelt message for dedicated men and women in blue: "Thank you."

East Hampton’s most-well known bagel maker, Hamptons Bagels, is owned by Bob Schepps, who knows bagels. You can get every kind of bagel at his shop: gluten-free, whole wheat, everything, and even flagels
But now, he has something new to offer along with his fresh-baked products. A moving message of thanks.

Driving north on North Main Street in East Hampton, Hamptons Bagels is a landmark as drivers enter the Springs.

And now, a new sign in the window offers more than the best bagels in town — it offers Schepps’ advice to customers and passersby.

The big white sign reads: “Next Time You See A Police Officer, Thank Them For Your Peace And Safety. —Hamptons Bagels."

The shop is situated across the street from the East Hampton Village Emergency Services building, where ambulance, fire and police services are located, so it’s a fitting place for the sign — since many of East Hampton’s finest first responders will see the sign daily and feel the love.

“As a child growing up I didn’t always understand the military or appreciate what they did," Schepps said. "Now being older, I get it. We say 'thank you for your service,' when we see someone in the military. But we don”t do the same for police."

The message is especially meaningful in light of recent events nationwide.

“When I was a kid, I was conflicted by police,” Schepps said. “But the older we get, the wiser we get, and I see people not appreciating the police. And all I want to say with this sign is that it would be a nice thing, a wonderful thing, to say 'thank you' to a police officer when you see them.”