A Vermont woman is growing her small business one bagel at a time

HIGHGATE, Vt. —

A Highgate, Vermont, woman is starting her days extra early to help make hectic mornings a little easier for her neighbors, one sourdough bagel at a time.

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Areil Greenia runs The Little Bagel Nook from her home in Highgate, where she bakes bagels, English muffins and cookies in her home kitchen. Her specialty is sourdough, and her stand operates on an honor system, offering customers a list of ingredients and suggested prices.

“It’s just something that I enjoy so much,” Greenia said. “Baking for my family, … they’re always like, ‘This is so good,’ and it makes me feel good.”

Greenia said she began by making bagels to share with family while living on the other side of town. After moving, she had the chance to open her own stand.

“I started doing bagels … and I just shared with my family, and they all enjoyed,” she said.

The stand opened in November, and Greenia said it has also become a place to support other small businesses by featuring items from friends, including sourdough bread and cupcakes.

“It’s nice having my friend’s sourdough bread here or my friend’s cupcakes,” she said. “It’s just nice to know that we have this spot not only for my sourdough goods but for my local friends that also have businesses.”

For those interested in trying sourdough baking themselves, Greenia’s advice is simple: “Just do it. Experiment. Practice. Practice makes perfect. Share your goods and get that feedback.”

Greenia said she hopes to one day open a bakery of her own. Until then, she is encouraging people to stop by The Little Bagel Nook, located in Highgate.