Bear’s Beans & Bagels in Umatilla is preparing to open a second location in Mount Dora.

The popular coffee and bagel shop recently gave customers a sneak peak of the new location, teasing a photo of a colorful mural created by local artist Room Sparkles ahead of the grand opening scheduled for June 14.

Bear and Mel Crockett opened the Umatilla location in July 2023 after transforming a former tea supply store into a retro-inspired coffee shop known for its creative specialty drinks, fresh bagels and community-focused atmosphere.

The new Mount Dora location will operate in addition to the existing Umatilla shop, which will remain open.

For Bear, the growth is the realization of a goal he shared shortly after opening the business.

“Ideally, I’d like to get a second location and eventually franchise,” he said during an earlier interview with Style. “I think this is something we could really do well.”

The idea for Bear’s Beans & Bagels was inspired by family traditions. Bear’s grandfather, Patrick O’Dare, operated a commercial coffee business for decades throughout Central Florida, while the two shared a love of discovering great bagels together.

That family connection helped shape the vision for the business, creating a place where people could gather, connect and make memories over coffee and breakfast.

Since opening in Umatilla, Bear’s Beans & Bagels has developed a loyal following with signature drinks such as the Purple Unicorn, Mac Attack and RasBeary Cheesecake, along with house-made refreshers and specialty breakfast sandwiches served on locally sourced bagels.

The shop quickly became a local favorite, drawing lines out the door during its opening weeks and prompting an early expansion of its kitchen and storage space.

In addition to its menu, the business has earned a reputation for supporting local schools, teachers and community events while creating what Mel describes as a family atmosphere for both customers and employees.

The Mount Dora location is expected to bring that same energy and personality to a new audience while allowing the business to continue its steady growth throughout Lake County.

The grand opening for the new Bear’s Beans & Bagels location is scheduled for June 14. In the meantime, the owners have been sharing sneak peeks of the space on social media and encouraging customers to follow along as the final touches are completed.