North York, ON – In a statement to the Star, police confirmed they responded to a call for a break and enter that occurred “in the early morning hour” at a bakery near Bathurst Street and Ranee Avenue.
Police added officers “are still investigating.”
In a story posted to Instagram on Wednesday morning, the bagel shop confirmed a break-in occurred overnight. A photo posted with the statement showed the store’s front door with its glass shattered.
Despite the break-in, Gryfe’s Bagels confirmed it was open Wednesday.
Gryfe’s is owned and operated by a Jewish family and has been in business for over a century. It’s been called one of two “founding temples of Canadian bagel making,” the other being St-Viateur in Montreal.
The incident comes amid heightened tensions in the city and a rash of suspected hate crimes targeting the local Jewish community.
“Add it to the rising wave of antisemitism and hate that is flooding our community,” tweeted Liberal MP Marco Mendicino Wednesday afternoon, before police had said the crime did not appear hate-motivated. “Those who are responsible for these crimes should be brought to justice.”
