Jett's Bagels opens at Broadway Market in honor of late son
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BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- A beloved East Aurora bagel shop has a new name and a new home, one that carries a deep meaning. The owners are honoring their late son by launching "Jett's Bagels."
In the heart of the Broadway Market, the smell of bagels fills the air. But behind the counter, there's a much deeper story being served.
"A lot of people know my son passed, but he was a big part of forming this business," said Dejon Hamann, co-owner of Jett's Bagels. "That was our plan for the future together."
Back in November 2024, 19-year-old Jett Hamann was walking to work in East Aurora. His life was cut short after being tragically hit and killed by a train.
"He was such a joyful presence," said Jillian Majka, co-owner of Jett's Bagels. "Always optimistic. Always giving us hugs when we had a bad day."
Jett and his father, Dejon, co-founded Aurora Bagels out of their own home. They worked together each day and night, hand-rolling, boiling, and baking the bagels.
After the loss of Jett, family members knew they wanted to keep his name and memory alive, so they decided to rebrand Aurora Bagels to Jett's Bagels.
"Every little part, from the proofing of the dough, how long you boil it ... we use old-school ingredients, old-school techniques," said Hamann. "We come out with what I think is close to, if not better, than some of my favorite New York City bagels."
The response has been overwhelming with the location often seeing long lines, loyal customers, and plenty of people coming back for more. While the support has been heartwarming, Jett's stepmother said it can be a challenge to keep up with the demand while also juggling grief.
"People have seen the story and they want to come up to you and give their condolences," said Majka. "It's a very fast-paced environment and it's a little hard to get a little emotional with customers."
The growth of Jett's Bagels has been rewarding, but it's bittersweet. Family members wish Jett could see it, but they're proud to carry on his dream.
"I miss you right now," said Hamann. "It'd be great to have him here and be a part of it. We were a great team."
Jett's Bagels is still finalizing its post-Easter hours, but it will be open daily at Buffalo's Broadway Market.
You can also purchase bagels online.
Trina Catterson joined the News 4 team in 2024. She previously worked at WETM-TV in Elmira, a sister station of WIVB. See more of her work here.