About Bagel Chicks Bakery
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A Legacy of Craft, Community, and Four Generations of Baking
Bagel Chicks Bakery's roots go back nearly a century, spanning several family-owned bakeries in New York, Maryland, and West Virginia. That experience is what you taste in every bagel we make today in Ranson, West Virginia.
1930sPalermo Bakery: In the 1930s, Giuseppe "Joseph" Prestano opened Palermo Bakery—the earliest bakery anyone in the family can point to, and the starting point of the family's baking history.
2025 Jackie formally partnered with Kat to rebrand the business as Bagel Chicks Bakery.
Follow the Flavor
In the 1930s, Giuseppe "Joseph" Prestano opened Palermo Bakery—the earliest bakery anyone in the family can point to, and the starting point of the family's baking history.
In 1972 Sam Prestano purchased a bakery in Lake Ronkonkoma, New York, with his business partner, Andy Gebbia. They owned and operated the bakery until it was destroyed by a fire on May 16, 1980.
Before the fire, John Costantino, Sam's stepson, began spending weekends at the bakery, learning the trade from Sam. It marked the beginning of a baking career that would span nearly fifty years.
John's mother, Connie Costantino, purchased Mamie's Bakery in West Islip, New York, knowing how much her son loved baking. She owned and operated the bakery for fourteen years, during which John continued developing his skills.
In 1992, John and his wife, Deborah—known to the family as Cookie—relocated to Maryland so she could be closer to her mother. They purchased a former donut shop and transformed it into Royal Bagel Bakery, which they operated for the next two decades.
Royal Bagel Bakery grew into a successful million-dollar business. In its early years, many customers in the Germantown area were unfamiliar with traditional Italian baked goods, so the family introduced them by offering samples at the counter. That simple approach helped build an exceptionally loyal customer base.
In 2009, John lost his mother and, in the same month, his sister's husband. The losses deeply affected him. In 2010, despite operating a successful and profitable bakery, he made the decision to sell Royal Bagel Bakery. His family encouraged him to keep the business, but his decision had already been made.
Within a couple of years, John purchased Royalicious Bakery in Charles Town, West Virginia. He later operated multiple bakery locations, including one in Winchester.
John passed away in 2021 after a baking career that spanned nearly fifty years. Family members remember him as an exceptionally talented baker whose passion for the craft never faded. Everything he made was known for its quality, and even after decades in the bakery, he never lost his sweet tooth.
After John's passing, Jackie continued operating the bakery, carrying forward a family tradition that now spans four generations.
That history is the foundation of Bagel Chicks Bakery today. From Giuseppi "Joseph" Prestano's Palermo Bakery in the 1930s, through Sam Prestano, Connie Costantino, and John Costantino, to Jackie Costantino and her partner, Katheryn "Kat" Acker, the family has carried the same commitment to quality forward for nearly a century: kettle-boiled bagels and baked fresh every day.
History made daily, one bagel at a time.
As the region evolved, so did the bakery.
John passed away in 2021, and Debra in 2015, but their youngest daughter Jackie remained committed to the family legacy. With over 30 years of hands-on experience and a deep-rooted passion for the craft, she stepped fully into the leadership role, focused on carrying the business forward with integrity and purpose.
But this next chapter wasn’t written alone. In 2019, Jackie met someone who would become an unexpected but natural partner — not just in business, but in shared vision and passion. That person was Katheryn Acker.
What neither of them realized at first was that their story had started years earlier. Back when Jackie was working at the Germantown bakery, a young girl named Kat (Katheryn Acker) often came in with her family. She was just a customer then, but already drawn to the warmth and rhythm of bakery life. Even as a child, she knew it was what she wanted to do.
Though her family eventually moved away and the Germantown shop changed hands, Kat’s dream stayed with her. She went on to study baking and pastry arts, setting her sights on a career in the field. Years later, she walked into Royalicious in Charles Town, spotted a “Now Hiring” sign, and immediately applied. The space felt familiar, and soon after starting, she learned why — Royalicious was run by the same family behind the bakery she had loved as a child.
More than a Bakery.
As Jefferson County continues to grow, Bagel Chicks Bakery has become more than a bakery. It’s a staple of the area’s evolving food scene and a reflection of the county’s growing population. Locals and newcomers alike find common ground over a toasted everything bagel, a cup of house-brewed coffee, or a warm breakfast sandwich made to order.
The bakery has also earned regional and national recognition. Over the past 14+ years in West Virginia, the business has maintained a flawless record with the health department and been consistently ranked among the best in the area. Royalicious — and now Bagel Chicks Bakery — has been featured in a variety of publications and food blogs celebrating its authentic offerings and strong community presence. From Best of Jefferson County accolades to mentions in national food roundups, the recognition speaks to the consistent quality that defines every product that comes out of the kitchen.
Looking ahead, Jackie and Kat remain committed to honoring the past while building for the future. Bagel Chicks Bakery is not just a rebrand — it’s a continuation of a deeply rooted story. With nearly 100 years of family tradition behind them, they’re shaping what the next century of baking looks like in West Virginia.
Whether you’re a longtime customer or walking through the door for the first time, you’re stepping into something special — a place where history is made daily, one bagel at a time.
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A message to the owners, don’t over stretch your menu. Quality goes down when this happens. We’d rather a small menu that’s perfect rather than tons of items that are only subpar. Definitely a place we recommend to try even if only for the bagels!!!!
