Eric Hawronsky Takes the Legendary Black Hills Bagels to the Next Level
When an opportunity presents itself, taking a chance to make a change can yield a high reward. Getting another opportunity to dive into the food service industry wasn’t something Eric Hawronsky was expecting, but it is one he is grateful for.
Eric grew up in North Dakota and after working for his dad assisting with public school book sales, he attended college in Nebraska and studied business administration and sales. During his time in the metropolitan area of Lincoln, Eric was introduced to gourmet bagels. It was a new favorite after the first bite.
Fast forward beyond graduation and Eric moved back to North Dakota to continue working with his dad. In Bismarck, bakeries were not prevalent at the time – especially not a bagel shop. So, combined with his hobby of baking, he began to perfect his homemade bagel. Over time, with the support of his wife, family, and friends, Eric took the leap into opening up one of western North Dakota’s first gourmet bagel shops – B.C Bagels.
“I had never worked in a restaurant before starting my business,” said Eric. “And I quickly learned how much work went into starting up a new business.”
Soon after opening, Eric gained a business partner and local coffee brewer which merged the shop. Popularity and opportunity combined with Eric’s willingness to say “yes”–the second location of B.C. Bagels opened.
“I worked hard, and after six years or so, burnout began to set in. Having a fast-scaling business while trying to raise a family was taking its toll.”
A door opened for Eric to pass on the business to a chef who had moved to town from New York looking for an opportunity. With details in order, Eric handed over his portion of the company.
In 2018, Eric and his wife (Marla) and their daughter and son, relocated to Rapid City. Working in sales, 2020 shifted Eric’s career once again when COVID-19 changed the way people interacted with others.
“I was back to doing book sales and once COVID-19 took over, schools shut down practically overnight,” explained Eric. “I started a handyman business in the interim, but eventually found a job in sales in the tourism retail industry.”
Three years later, another opportunity would present itself – one that was familiar and a passion for Eric. Through the grapevine, Eric was contacted by his former business partner about a possibility of owning a bagel shop in Rapid City. Within a few months, Eric had met Debra Jensen, the now previous owner of Black Hills Bagels, and began working as an employee to see the inner-workings of the business.
“It felt almost like the show Undercover Boss. I was trained just as other employees, and then got to get a look at each department to understand how the business model was set up,” said Eric. “I have an incredible amount of respect for everything Deb and her team have done, and I’m excited to start introducing some of my favorites to the menu.”
In addition to menu changes, Eric has prioritized company culture and employees have noticed. Not only does Eric believe that each employee should enjoy what they do, they should have a voice in the changes that are proposed.
“I’ve learned over the years that empowering employees to make decisions and fostering a team environment can help each staff member think bigger than their day-to-day job.”
On January 2, 2024, Eric officially gained the ownership title and has gotten to work introducing new ideas, menu items, and processes. While preserving the core essence of the legacy Black Hills Bagels has had in the community, there are exciting changes on the horizon for the next chapter of the business.
“You don’t often get a second chance to do something you love,” Eric reflected, “and it’s really rewarding. I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity and am excited about what the future holds for Black Hills Bagels.”
This story was originally published in the June 2024 issue of Elevate Magazine.
