When a customer heads to the Ford dealer, odds are, they’re there for something car-related – but that isn’t always the case. Bagels are as much a draw for customers of Village Ford Parts and Service in Dearborn, Michigan as their, well, parts and service. In fact, the bagel shop within the dealership has garnered its own cult following.
CBS Detroit recently threw a spotlight on Brazen Bagels, which operates out of Village Ford. Co-owner Jacob Anson said his wife, Megan, inspired his journey into bagel making, but he probably never thought he’d end up selling them out of a Ford dealer. Anson began developing the ideal bagel recipe for his wife, and eventually, he came up with a product good enough that he started selling them at a local pop-up.
Whatever bagels Anson didn’t sell, he gave away to local businesses to drum up interest in his recipe. That journey took him right to Village Ford. Jay Sturtz, general sales manager at the Ford dealer, said they took a liking to Anson’s bagels and saw a perfect opportunity to bring the small business in.
“They got a great product, and we needed to get somebody in here for our dealership. And it was just a perfect opportunity,” Sturtz said.
Now that Brazen Bagels had settled into a brick-and-mortar store, its popularity has taken off. The Dearborn community fell in love with Anson’s business, which he touts as being a “New York-style delicatessen. All traditional. All correct.” As of 2025, Brazen Bagels has been operating out of the Ford dealer for two years, and they’re growing stronger by the day.
It’s really quite brilliant to include a culinary establishment inside a dealership – it gives customers something to do while they wait for their vehicle to be worked on, or a place to celebrate after purchasing a brand new ride. Sarasota Ford took that to heart, opening up a ritzy restaurant called LeMans Kitchen, welcoming Blue Oval customers and the general public alike.
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