BLOOMFIELD

Jersey love: Bloomfield couple to renew vows at bagel shop

Joshua Jongsma
NorthJersey

Joanne and Dennis Nadzan of Bloomfield planned a ceremony that seems like it could only happen in New Jersey. 

The longtime couple will celebrate their 20th wedding anniversary by renewing their vows at their favorite bagel store, Hot Bagels Abroad, on Broad Street in Bloomfield. 

“We’ve been here for 20 years, going every day,” Dennis Nadzan said. “We couldn’t have it any other place than here.”

The couple lives around the block from the store and visits every morning for coffee and breakfast. Through the years they became close with owner Frank Grauso and his son, Craig, and the store grew into an integral part of their lives.

Dennis and Joanne Nadzan sit together at Hot Bagels Abroad in Bloomfield on April 29, 2017.

Joanne, 58, a support supervisor for a healthcare company, and Dennis, 62, who works for an electrical company, will see different scenery at their usual breakfast spot on May 13. Rows of chairs for the 40 expected guests will fill the patio outside, weather permitting, along with flowered archways and live music.

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“I think it’s going to be special, because that’s our place,” Joanne Nadzan said. 

She had the idea after witnessing her sister-in-law renew her vows at a place special to her, an arcade in Asbury Park.

“At first I said, ‘That’s really stupid,’ but we had a really good time,” Joanne Nadzan said. “… I figured 20 years is a nice time to have a celebration.”

Frank Grauso opened the store in 1992 and said he made a lot of friends over the years, including the Nadzans. After knowing the couple for so long he said he was glad to be part of their upcoming ceremony.

“One of my slogans used to be, ‘Not your ordinary bagel store,’” Grauso said. “I like to try things out of the ordinary. I don’t think too many bagel stores are having wedding vow renewals.”

Though the ceremony will be private, Grauso said they will stay open for business throughout. Brookdale Tavern and Kitchen will also cater the ceremony and host the renewal inside its building should the weather not cooperate. 

Craig Grauso acknowledged he never expected to be part of a vow renewal at their store. 

“Never, never in my lifetime,” he said. 

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Joanne and Dennis Nadzan expressed their gratitude for the local businesses to help them on their big day. Frank Grauso frequently helps the community by participating in blood drives and donating money behind the scenes, noted Joanne Nadzan.

Dennis Nadzan also said the store owner was just as excited as they were to hold the renewal there.

Frank Grauso just has to switch gears first.

“I know the bagel business,” he said. “I don’t know the wedding renewal vow business, so it’s going to be interesting.”

Email: jongsma@northjersey.com