"Last May, Carter and Blagovich opened the super-popular Western-themed bagel shop and all-ages queer space on South Tacoma Way to block-long lines and rave reviews. A Texas native, Carter lived and worked in Seattle for many years, including a stint as a barista at Olympia Coffee and a gig with an org that finds housing for refugees. He and Blagovich were well-known among the various farmer’s markets in Seattle and Tacoma, where they sold their bagels prior to opening the shop in Tacoma last year. “We found the most love when we sold at markets in Tacoma,” Carter told me last summer, when explaining why they chose to move the bakery operations south from Seattle. Howdy Bagel focuses on creating “Tacoma-style bagels,” using flour, eggs, cheese, and meats from local producers in and around Pierce County. Howdy also provides a crucial LGBTQ-friendly hangout space in Tacoma, a place with not many dedicated daytime queer spaces for all ages. The couple tied the knot in September 2022." - Meg van Huygen
