05/18/2026
This will come as a shock to many as it has to all of us:
Ann “Annie” Kaufman, 55 years old, passed away peacefully and suddenly on Sunday, May 17th, 2026.
If you know The Bagel Factory, you know Annie—she has been a part of our family here since Hurricane Charley closed The Miami Connection 22 years ago. To so many, Annie was a familiar face behind the counter, a friendly presence in the dining room, a recognizable voice on the phone, a master caterer, a calm presence in the midst of a rush and a staple in our family. She knew so many regulars by name and order, watched kids grow up to bring in their own families and felt the loss of customers turned dear friends right alongside us; she was reliable, faithful, trustworthy, loving, quick-witted, dependable and the reason so many looked forward to visiting our store. Through all of the ups and downs in life, both personal and professional, Annie was always right there with us. We are completely heartbroken.
Beyond her roles here, she was a mom to two boys, a beloved sister and a fiercely loyal friend. She most recently had (in her own words) “the best Mother’s Day ever” when her son took her fishing last Sunday. We are so lucky to have shared so many years, memories, laughs, cries, holidays, jokes, milestones, and more with Annie, although we so badly wish we had a little longer... As Annie would say, “We’ll do it again tomorrow!” 💔
We will have a memory book to sign at the counter and look forward to hearing about all of the times Annie made you feel special. Any cards, etc. can be directed to The Bagel Factory and we will make sure they are passed on to Annie’s family. We will post an update for a Celebration of Life as it becomes available.
