REYNOLDSBURG, Ohio (WCMH) — Block’s Hot Bagels’ closing saddened many central Ohio bagel enthusiasts, but its successor may be as close to tradition as Columbus could get.

Cincinnati-based Marx Bagels is set to take over the Block’s location at 6115 McNaughten Road, offering bagels with the same recipes as Block’s with fewer meat options. Marx announced the move this week via a Facebook post, offering a full-circle partnership between Marx and Block’s, who share an intertwined history.

Before there was Marx, there was Block’s. According to Marx Bagels’ website, Hal Block moved to Columbus from New York, partnering with a coworker to open Hot Bagels Inc. At the time, Marx said, the bagel bakery offered seven bagel varieties served with lox and cream cheese.

After the success of the Columbus Hot Bagels location, Block and his partner expanded to Cincinnati, where they hired John Marx as a manager. Hot Bagels faced legal difficulties in 1969, during which Marx bought the Cincinnati business to keep it running, naming it Marx’s Hot Bagels. Block’s Hot Bagels continued its operations in Columbus until March 2, shortly after Hal Block died.

Marx is described as a character on the company’s website, often transforming into his alter ego, Bagelman. Dressed in blue tights and a cape, he would have fun with customers, make public appearances and ride his bike through the streets of Cincinnati suburb Blue Ash. Marx Bagels’ current owners, YY and Rena Davis, bought the company in 2019 and promised to continue the Marx legacy.

Unlike the Block and Davis families, Marx was Catholic but strictly ensured the bakery was Kosher, which the Davis family has continued. Even when patrons encouraged him to add meat options, Marx stuck to fish and egg options exclusively. To be a Kosher bakery, food must follow dietary requirements of Kashrut, traditional Jewish law, such as ensuring dairy and meat products are not mixed together.

Block’s was also a Kosher bakery but offered meat options on their larger deli menu, like turkey, chicken and salami. Block’s bakery was Kosher certified in making its bagels, breads and desserts, but its deli portion was not listed as Kosher.

Marx Bagels now offers more than 35 bagel varieties, all baked daily. The owners said it will announce an opening date as soon as they are able, and told Columbus Jewish News they are aiming for an early April opening.