By Randy Tucker
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The Bruegger's in the 3300 block of Clifton Ave has had its interior redesigned as a prototype for the 250 Bruegger's nationwide. (Tony Jones photo) | ZOOM |

Bruegger's Bagel Bakery has selected Cincinnati as the test market for its new store design and menu to be unveiled before city officials and patrons this morning at a ceremony at the company's Clifton store.

The Bruegger's at 3317 Clifton Ave. is the first in the chain of 250 neighborhood bakeries in 18 states to be redesigned, CEO James Greco said,

The remodeled store will also offer new breakfast and lunch menu items, including a new line of made-to-order soups and sandwiches.

"We've been stagnant for a number of years," Greco said. "Now we're offering a change of pace for people who want more than a sandwich at lunch, and we're making the restaurant more warm and inviting for our customers."

Although there were big bucks in bagels a few years ago, bagel munching has been on the downswing recently, thanks in part to the popularity of low-carb, high-protein diets that discourage bread consumption.

New menu items to be introduced at Bruegger's stores this week are all low in calories and carbohydrates, Greco said.

The company plans to roll out the new store design system wide after a short evaluation period in Cincinnati.

"Cincinnati will be the first to see all the changes, then will start redoing stores in Boston, Hartford, Conn., Pittsburgh and Minneapolis," Greco said. "We'll redo all the stores over the next 20 months."

The new decor featured at the Clifton store includes earth tone colored walls in gold and red, soft incandescent lighting and even new furniture, including cozy booths and a lounge area with soft-backed chairs.

But the store upgrades are only part of the new direction for the Vermont-based restaurant chain.

The company also has launched a program to encourage employees to donate their own time to charity by paying them - up to a certain number of hours - for their volunteer efforts outside of work. "We are part of each of the communities in which we are located, and we feel that we should be giving back to those communities," Greco said.

Underscoring that commitment, Bruegger's will donate a percentage of this week's sales at the newly remodeled Clifton store to the nearby Children's Hospital.

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E-mail rtucker@enquirer.com