Rena and Wayne Rutledge have opened their fifth Fresno location in a familiar place — a few feet away from their original Fig Garden Village spot that closed in 2017. Photo by RPM PR

Uncle Harry’s NY Bagelry & Coffeehouse makes its long-awaited return to Fig Garden Village this weekend, aiming to restore a sense of community and nostalgia for longtime Fresno customers.

Inspired by the grandfather of owner Wayne Rutledge’s wife, Rena, Uncle Harry’s first opened in 1995 — just feet away from its new location at Fig Garden Village. The family-owned and operated business, described as a “labor of love” by Rutledge, has since grown to five locations throughout Fresno.

In 2017 Uncle Harry’s was forced to shut its doors when Fig Garden’s then landlord, Rouse Properties based out of New York, declined to renew the restaurant’s lease, opting for a more “national” tenant.

The community expressed disappointment at the decision by Fig Garden’s management, with one customer commenting to the media that the Fig Garden location, with its park-like setting, was “not like the one at River Park.”

Fig Garden has had additional owners since, with the shopping center acquired in May by DRA Advisors, a New York-based investment advisory firm and CenterCal, a full-service commercial real estate company based in Costa Mesa.

In addition to the Fig Garden and River Park locations, Uncle Harry’s also has stores at the corners of First Street and Herndon Avenue, Cedar and Shaw avenues and Marks and Shaw avenues.

Rutledge hopes the new location will bring the local community of bagel lovers back to Fig Garden, which was a once bustling location for them?

“Returning to Fig Garden is a full-circle moment for us,” Rutledge said. “That location wasn’t just a store — it was a community hub. We watched kids grow up, saw regulars come in every morning, and felt truly woven into that part of town. Being back in Fig feels like coming home.”

 

Rutledge said the new store, which will open Saturday, July 12, at 8 a.m., is located just steps away from the space that holds much of the family-business’ heart.

Rutledge said the design of the new restaurant was meant to recapture the atmosphere that made the store so popular for years — the “familiar Uncle Harry’s feeling.”

Rutledge credited the success of the business to its employees and loyal customers, adding that while the business has weathered economic challenges, a recession, the pandemic and even a national egg shortage — they have been able to rely on the Fresno community for support.

“Through it all, we’ve leaned on our terrific managers and staff to continue creating the best experience possible,” he said. “Fresno has always shown up for us.”

Over the years, Rutledge said the dining landscape in Fresno has changed for the better, praising the city’s feel as more of a “foodie town” than in the past.

“The community not only takes pride in supporting small businesses, but values building memorable experiences with family and friends, alongside their neighbors,” he said. “When you walk into Uncle Harry’s, you’ll be greeted with that fresh-baked bagel smell, a smile from our team, and the kind of friendly energy that makes you feel at home.”