NYC bagel shop forced to remove cartoon mascot after influencer calls it ‘blackface’

A whimsical bagel cutout meant to draw attention to a Brooklyn bakery became a viral sensation—but the publicity turned sour when the display sparked threats and harassment, prompting the business to remove it from public view. The owner described the backlash as overwhelming, forcing the shop to pull the eye-catching advertisement from its usual sidewalk spot. The incident highlights how quickly online attention can shift from playful marketing to unwanted controversy. Whether the response was justified or overblown, the story raises questions about the unintended consequences of viral promotions.

Bo’s Bagels on West 116th Street displayed a larger-than-life cutout of a sunglasses-wearing bagel to advertise the spot’s fresh goods – until threats and harassment from the viral video forced the sign off the sidewalk and into hiding, owner Andrew Martinez told The Post.