Brilliant bagels: Casper woman launches authentic NYC-style bagel business

April 1, 2026 - 18:26

A taste of the Big Apple has arrived in Casper, courtesy of a local entrepreneur's dedication to authentic, handcrafted bagels. While Carolyn Reilly has only been selling her homemade creations for a couple of months, the process behind them is steeped in tradition, taking over 36 hours from start to finish.

The key to a true New York-style bagel, Reilly explains, is patience. Her method involves a slow, cold fermentation of the dough, a technique that develops a deeper flavor and the perfect chewy-yet-crisp texture. After the long proof, each bagel is hand-rolled, briefly boiled, and then baked to a golden finish.

Reilly's venture began as a personal quest to recreate the bagels she missed from the East Coast. After perfecting her recipe through relentless testing, positive feedback from friends and family encouraged her to launch a small-scale business. She now offers a variety of classic flavors, from plain and sesame to everything and cinnamon raisin, directly to local customers.

The response from the Casper community has been overwhelmingly positive, with many residents delighted to find a genuine, artisanal bagel option without leaving town. Reilly's success highlights a growing appetite for high-quality, traditionally made foods in Wyoming, proving that a little time and dedication can yield brilliant results.