According to fire officials, the blaze, sparked by a faulty electrical cord, broke out at 1:50 a.m. A baker tried to extinguish it, but could not. The fire then spread to the Robeks smoothie franchise and the Starfish CafŽ next door.
No injuries were reported. William Gies, assistant chief of the Merrick Fire Department, estimated the damage at $3 million.
Adam Rosner, owner of the Bagel Boss chain, which has 12 Long Island locations, said, "I'm broken down. I built that store with my hands in 1989."
Nonetheless, Rosner added, "Bagel Boss will be back in the town - if not at that location, then some other we secure."
