Bruegger's Anniversary Brings Free Bagels

"There is no such thing as a free lunch," people say.

But the Harvard Square branch of Bruegger's Bagel shops has decided to disprove this maxim.

Bruegger's Boston area shops will celebrate three years in the Hub area this weekend by giving away one free bagel with cream cheese to every customer who wishes the store a happy birthday, store workers said yesterday.

The celebration, which began when the store opened yesterday, will continue through Sunday. It has drawn large crowds of bagel-loving well-wishers.

"The line has been out the door since we opened this morning, [and] we are expecting even larger crowds on Saturday," said Store Manager Bryan C. Zink yesterday. Even though the store hired extra workers to fill each shift during the birthday celebration. Bruegger's has been unable to keep up with the flow of customers, Zink said.

Although the Harvard Square shop opened only a year ago, store workers said that they are using the anniversary of the opening of the first Boston-area Bruegger's shop to thank the customers who have visited the Harvard Square store in the past year.

"We are trying to promote the store and thank the people who who have come to us," Zink said.

Word of the free bagels had reached Harvard students by yesterday afternoon, pleasing those who did not care for Harvard Food Services' offerings. Jonathan D. Kastin '90. who said he visited the bakery in place of lunch at Dunster House, said he learned of the event from friends.

"My roommate told me about it, and he had heard about the [free bagels] from another friend," Kastin said.