Rosenberg's Bagels Reopens After Murder, Arson Investigation

DENVER (CBS4)- One of Denver's most popular bagel shops reopened on Sunday after a tragedy kept it shut for several months.

Rosenberg's in Five Points has been closed since May 2 when crews found Shane Richardson, 29, after putting out the fire in an apartment unit above Rosenberg's at Welton Street and 26th Avenue.

On Sunday, employees welcomed customers for the first time since that day. Lines snaked out the door as people couldn't wait to check out the newly remodeled business.

"It's super exciting we spent all summer giving back to the community and doing pop-ups, taking classes and revamping everything. So we've been looking forward to this all summer," said Rosenberg's Bagels manager Peter Paul Rousseau.

"I couldn't be here early enough, I'm really excited for my bagel and I'm probably get like two or three of them throughout the day for later," said Rosenberg's customer Topher Straus.

Employees told CBS4 they nicknamed the shop "Phoenix-bergs" Bagels for the grand reopening to symbolize their rise from the ashes.

Police arrested Brian Pattison in Richardson's, 29, death. Investigators believe he set the fire to cover up the murder.

The closure gave the owner and his business partners time to concentrate on other aspects of the business like expanding their product line and a second location that will offer more New York-style openings.