Bagel Chain Opens Second Chicago Location in Lakeview

Call Your Mother opened its second Chicago location on Monday.

The new shop sits at 2956 N. Sheffield Ave. in Lakeview. It offers the same menu as the company's first Chicago store in Wicker Park. The menu includes bagels, breakfast sandwiches, deli sandwiches, pastries, and coffee. The interior design differs from the first location. A wooden canoe, vintage-style camp pennants, and a painting by local muralist Kevin Garbacz decorate the space. Garbacz painted the deli's signature telephone wires on the building's exterior.

Andrew Dana and Daniela Moreira co-founded Call Your Mother in 2018. The couple started the business at a farmers market in Washington, D.C. Dana grew up eating bagels and deli food. Moreira, a chef from Argentina, had never eaten a bagel before starting the business. The company's bagels combine the chewy texture of New York-style bagels with the sweetness of Montreal-style bagels. They boil the dough in malt and bake it fresh daily. The bagels feature a smaller hole to hold the deli's large sandwiches.

Dana said employees and customers encouraged the couple to open a store in Lakeview. He cited the neighborhood's residential feel and activity near nearby hospitals as reasons for the choice. The company also secured a corner building that allowed for customization. Dana stated that the business aims to be a neighborhood bagel shop rather than a destination for special occasions. He wants the shop to be part of residents' daily lives.

The company opened its first Chicago store in Wicker Park in May. That opening renewed debate over independent businesses and corporate chains. The discussion followed the company's decision to sell a majority stake to investment firm Invus last year. Longtime local business owners urged residents to support independent shops. Dana said the response in Lakeview has been positive. He pushed back on the idea that outside investment changed how the company operates. He and Moreira still run the business and make its decisions.

Dana said the investment helped create opportunities for employees to advance into leadership roles. Eight employees who have been with the company since its first Washington, D.C. shop have moved into leadership positions. These roles include director of marketing, accounting, and head of operations. Dana said the expansion allows the company to offer career opportunities and benefits while maintaining its standards. He said the company plans to open four or five Chicago locations in the short to near term. The focus is on finding neighborhoods that fit the business.

The Lakeview menu includes sandwiches such as the Jetski. The Jetski contains brisket, pastrami, sofrito, jalapeño, and cheddar and American cheeses on a cheddar bagel. The shop also sells babka muffins, cookies, and coffee drinks. A seasonal banana bread matcha latte is available. The store is open from 6:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays and from 6:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekends.