Bagelgate: West Orange Shop Owner Fined After Losing Court Case

WEST ORANGE, NJ — A bagel shop owner has lost his legal battle against the Township of West Orange – for now.

On Tuesday, Jarrett Seltzer was found guilty in West Orange municipal court for violating the town’s zoning codes. The source of the dispute? Window coverings.

West Orange officials alleged that Bagels By Jarrett isn’t using them properly, and that they’ve made repeated attempts to broker a truce. Meanwhile, Seltzer says they’re unfairly targeting him with a murkily written rule – while other nearby businesses flaunt their own coverings.

Bagels By Jarrett, which switched to a curbside pickup-only model during the pandemic, doesn’t allow customers inside the building. Seltzer says that in addition to defraying heating/cooling costs, the window coverings help alert customers that they can’t come inside.

The situation ignited a fierce debate on social media, with a potential $1,500 per day fine adding fuel to the fire. The issue has been playing out in court, over the past month with a judicial decision being delayed – until now.

• See Related: Jarrett vs. Town Hall: Feud May Cost West Orange Bagel Baron Big Bucks
• See Related: Bagelgate: West Orange Shop Owner Not Giving Up Battle Against Town
• See Related: Bagelgate Update: West Orange Business Owner Takes Town To Court

Tuesday’s ruling comes with a $4,566 fine for Seltzer, who said he plans to appeal the decision.

“We would have appealed a $1 fine,” he told Patch. “The court acted completely inappropriately from the start of the trial and that’s all going to come out when it hits appeals.”

“They purposely misused an ordinance against an outspoken citizen and local business owner,” he added. “Hopefully it will help expose the real corruption that’s going on in this town.”

West Orange Mayor Susan McCartney released a statement about the verdict, saying that township officials “respect the court’s determination after hearing and carefully considering the evidence and testimony.”

“The municipal court is an independent branch of local government,” McCartney said. “The township’s priority has always been to work with all local businesses to help ensure their success.”

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