Small Business Profile: Customer Is King At Ruby K’s Bagel Café

Mackenzie Alexander at age 6. Courtesy photo

By CAROL A. CLARK
Los Alamos Daily Post
 
Nov. 26 is Small Business Saturday and an opportunity for the community to show its support by visiting and shopping at local businesses.

The year was 2005. This little girl, Mackenzie, daughter of Ruby Alexander (owner of Ruby K’s Bagel Café), was just 6 years old. Los Alamos did not yet have a bagel shop.

Fast forward nearly 12 years to 2016 and one can see a lot has changed! This same little girl has grown into a nearly 6’2” young lady and is now a senior at Los Alamos High School. Her older brothers, Dillon and Colin, who were 12 and 15 at the time, are now 23 and 26 respectively, and off on their own. They, too, tower amongst their family at nearly 6’7” and 6’6”. Perhaps it’s something in the bagels?

Yes, it’s been nearly 12 years ago since Ruby K’s Bagel Café opened its doors Feb. 19, 2005.

“We feel like such a part of the community, which is exactly what Kelly Parker and I set out to do,” Ruby said. Kelly and her husband Brad were co-owners of the eatery for the first five years and remain good friends of the Alexanders.

“We wanted to provide a local and lively hang out spot for Los Alamos where the community can get together and enjoy great bagels, artisan sandwiches, fruit smoothies and a wonderful cup of coffee,” Alexander said.

Alexander attributes the primary reason for Ruby K’s success to her staff. She employs approximately 30 employees; many are part-time high school students.

“We train our staff to treat our customers as ‘guests’ and offer them warm, friendly and personalized customer service,” she said..

Here are a few things many may not know about Ruby K’s Bagel Café:

  • Open 7 days a week (Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Weekends 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.);
  • “Pick Up Order” service. Call your order in, pay for it over the phone, go to the Pick Up Window and bypass the long lines;
  • Bagels (and many breads) made onsite from scratch; and
  • Catering—bagel and cream cheese platters, sandwich trays, appetizer trays and box lunches.

“My husband Mike and I recognize it is OUR CUSTOMERS who have made us a success,” Alexander said, “and we say ‘thank you Los Alamos for your continued support!’”

Ruby K’s Bagel Café is open at 1789 Central Ave., Suite 2. The telephone number is 505.662.9866 and the website is http://rubykbagel.com/.

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