Beloved Tacoma bagel shop reopens for first time since tragic death of co-owner

TACOMA, Wash. — A beloved Tacoma bagel shop is reopening on Wednesday, a month after its co-owner was shot and killed while on vacation with his husband in New Orleans.

Jake Carter, the co-owner of Howdy Bagels, was on vacation with his husband Daniel when he was killed in a random shooting near Bourbon Street on Friday, Jan. 5.

Carter started Howdy Bagels with Daniel after they both lost their jobs during the pandemic. Their business quickly gained popularity, with eager customers often waiting in line for hours at the Proctor Farmers Market and various Seattle and Tacoma pop-ups.

KIRO 7 spoke to Daniel on Wednesday, where he talked about what Jake meant to both him and the business they started together.

While Daniel said he feels it’s too early to open, the bagel shop has been his husband’s dream since they first met.

“He’s a part of every part of this business,” he said. “This was his dream from day one when we met, and so it feels good to keep it alive and keep working in his honor.”

In the weeks since the tragic shooting, the community raised over $300,000 through a GoFundMe set up by friends. That support meant the world to Daniel over the last few weeks.

“I’m overwhelmed with the support we’ve received from the community and very grateful for folks stepping up,” he said. “Initially I thought it would be impossible to open again but folks have rallied and supported us and I’ve felt a whole lot of love from everyone.”

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