Donna Gemellaro, the owner of Gem’s Bagels was just 21 years old when she opened the first Gem’s location alongside her brothers Joey and John in 1992.
The trio had grown up working in their uncle’s Brooklyn bagel shops from the time they were 12, gaining hands-on experience and a deep appreciation for the business. “We were raised in it,” says Donna. “It’s something we were always passionate about. So one day we said, let’s open our own store.”
With the support of their parents—her father worked for the Port Authority, and her mother at a local high school—the siblings turned that dream into reality. “If it wasn’t for them pushing us and believing in us, we probably would’ve never done it,” she reflects.
When it came time to name the business, the family kept it close to home, literally. “The name Gem’s Bagels comes from our last name, Gemellaro,” Donna explains. “We were sitting around the kitchen table throwing around ideas, and my brother John said, ‘What about Gem’s House of Bagels?’ It was all about welcoming people in, like feeding them in our own home.”
Since then, the family business has grown steadily, now boasting nine locations across New Jersey, including Keansburg, Belford, South Amboy, Little Silver, Middletown, Port Monmouth, and two in Hazlet.
From a single storefront to several busy spots across the state, Gem’s Bagels has always been about family, great bagels, and keeping things simple and delicious. Highlands had been on Donna’s radar for years. “There’s something special about this town,” she says. “It’s by the water, it has an old-town charm, and it hasn’t been overdeveloped like some other places. It just feels homey.”
Though the Highlands store has only been open a few months, Donna says the town already feels like home. “The people in Highlands are like family,” she says. “Everyone comes in and treats you like you’ve been here for a hundred years. I feel like I’m truly part of the community.”
At the Highlands location, customers can enjoy both breakfast and lunch made with the same care and quality that have defined Gem’s Bagels for decades. From hearty signature sandwiches to their famously crave-worthy chicken salad, a standout so beloved that customers go out of their way just to get it, there’s something for everyone. “Our chicken salad is one of our top sellers,” says Donna. “People travel from all over just to have it.”
Through hard work, family dedication, and a true love for what they do, the Gemellaros have turned a childhood job into a lasting local institution.
Gem’s Bagels is open seven days a week, from 6:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Visit gemsbagels.com or call 732-204-2058 for more info
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