If you had told Henry Shields that a bagel experiment in his kitchen would end up changing the course of his life, he may not have believed you—but that is exactly what happened. What started as a simple idea—testing whether Omaha had an appetite for handcrafted sourdough bagels—quickly grew into a thriving business that led Henry to leave his job at ConAgra and create his own bagel business.
“Omaha is incredible for entrepreneurs,” says Shields. “If you create a good product, you’re authentic, and you’re consistent, Omaha will support you.”
Thanks to a little curiosity, a lot of passion, and an overwhelming response from the Omaha community, his kitchen-born idea took off.
Omaha Bagel Co. was born.
Bagels on Your Porch
Omaha Bagel Co. didn’t start in a traditional bakery or a storefront. Instead, Henry and his wife Michelle opted to launch the business right from their kitchen.
“We started this as an experiment,” Henry explains. “I was working full-time at ConAgra, and we just wanted to see if Omaha had room for another bagel shop.” As it turned out, people loved bagels more than they ever expected.
What did bagel connoisseurs love even more? Having bagels delivered right to their front porch. By bypassing the traditional brick-and-mortar, the couple was able to offer pickup and delivery right from their home. The result was a home-based bakery that quickly gained traction, drawing in customers who craved something other than the usual mass-produced bagels found in grocery stores.
Why Sourdough?
With so many bakeries offering bagels, Henry and Michelle knew they had to be different to stand out. Their solution? Sourdough.
“In the bagel world, there aren’t a lot of ways to differentiate yourself,” Henry says. “No one in Omaha was doing sourdough bagels.”
Besides being unique, sourdough offers benefits that traditional yeast-based bagels don’t. “Sourdough is healthier than yeast and better for the gut,” Henry adds. Of course, they taste great, too.
While their Everything, Sesame, Plain and French Toast Crunch bagels remain their bestsellers, Omaha Bagel Co. is always experimenting with new flavors.
From Farmers Markets to Home Deliveries
Today, Omaha Bagel Co. sells at the Aksarben Farmers Market, through pop-up events, and via home delivery and pickup Thursday through Sunday. Customers who pre-order by noon the day before can have fresh, warm bagels delivered to their doorstep—or pick them up directly from Henry’s home.
“We deliver within a five-mile radius for free,” he explains. “You wake up, and your bagels are right there on your porch between 7:45 and 8:45 in the morning.”
However, not everyone immediately grasps the concept. “Once a week, we get a call from someone saying, ‘I drove by, and I didn’t see a store. Am I in the right place?’” Henry laughs. “We have to explain, ‘Yeah, it’s a home-based bakery!”
A Family Business at Heart
More than just a business success, Omaha Bagel Co. has transformed how Henry and Michelle approach family life.
Before the bakery, Henry spent 15 years in IT, working as a system administrator and product manager.
Now, his children are directly involved in the business—helping at farmers markets, interacting with customers, and even earning their own paychecks.
For Henry, this has been the greatest reward of all. “As a father, that’s our job—to raise good humans, teach them about the world. This has allowed me to do that better.”
The Future of Omaha Bagel Co.
So, what’s next for Omaha Bagel Co.? More deliveries, more flavors, and maybe—just maybe—a brick-and-mortar shop in the future.
“Everyone assumes the next step is opening a retail shop, but there are so many ways to do that—you can lease, own, partner with another business. For us, it’s about balancing revenue and expenses.”
Henry emphasized that he wants to scale in a way that will keep his priorities in check: his family, his customers, and the joy of the business itself.
“I’d like to build a business that has a good reputation and continues to give my family the best life possible.”
So far, it appears he has done just that. Henry and Michelle are living their best life—rolling dough, raising their kids, and delivering smiles—one warm, sourdough bagel at a time.
Want to Try Omaha’s Best Sourdough Bagels?
📍 Follow Omaha Bagel Co. on Instagram & Facebook for weekly menus & ordering details.
📍 Call or text (402) 276-2529 to place an order.
📍 Free delivery within 5 miles of 96th & Center or pickup available Thursday–Sunday.
