For over 30 years, best friends and business partners Jennifer Reynolds and Kristee Gilbert have been shaping the San Diego breakfast scene with their signature brand, Big City Bagels (BCB Café). Known for their hand rolled, scratch made, boiled-and-baked New York-style bagels and warm customer service, BCB has grown into a local favorite with cafés, coffee carts, and kiosks across the region—including seven locations on the San Diego State University campus and four at the University of California San Diego.
BCB Café leveraged the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) 504 loan program to purchase their fifth location in North Park. The 7,000-square-foot property, which they had previously leased, now provides long-term security and supports the café’s continued expansion.
A Long-Term Vision Made Into Reality
As their business expanded, Jennifer and Kristee began to feel the strain of leasing. Despite their commitment to maintaining a high-quality environment, renting left them with limited control over rising costs and property decisions.
“We always knew we wanted to own,” Jennifer shared. “We were ready to invest in a space that truly reflected our brand—and that we could depend on for years to come.”
That vision became a reality through the SBA 504 Program—a financing option designed to help small businesses purchase, construct or refinance commercial real estate with low down payments and long-term, fixed interest rates.
The SBA 504 loan allowed these ‘Bagel Besties’ to secure ownership without disrupting daily operations while preserving cash flow and supporting future growth.
Empowering a Woman-Owned Business
BCB Café is proudly woman-owned, and both Jennifer and Kristee credit their shared leadership and strong partnership for the company’s continued success.
“Running a small business can be isolating,” said Kristee. “Having a partner you can trust makes all the difference. We lift each other up and push each other forward—it’s how we’ve grown BCB into what it is today.”
Ownership has already driven meaningful changes to the way BCB operates and plans for the future:
• Greater flexibility to improve and customize the space
• Stable occupancy costs that support long-term planning
• Renewed team morale and excitement
• Active plans to hire and expand
• Expand new product line to include scratch donuts and gluten-free options
For Jennifer and Kristee, these upgrades signify more than just operational expansion. They validate a long-term vision that has guided BCB from the beginning.
“We take pride in building something that supports not just our families, but the people who work with us,” Jennifer added. “Now that we own the space, we can plan long-term, make improvements we believe in, and feel confident knowing it’s truly ours. That shift has made a real difference—for us and for our team.”
Guidance from TMC Financing
TMC Financing’s Will Dendy, Vice President of Business Development in San Diego, helped Jennifer and Kristee navigate the SBA 504 loan process.
“Jennifer and Kristee are outstanding entrepreneurs,” Will said. “Their dedication to quality, culture, and community shines through in every aspect of their business. The SBA 504 program gave them the means to secure their space, scale thoughtfully, and keep investing in their mission.”
With guidance from Will Dendy and his team of SBA 504 experts, what initially felt overwhelming became a clear and manageable process. Having trusted professionals walk them through each step gave Jennifer and Kristee the insight and confidence to complete the transaction.
That momentum continues to shape how they operate today and how they’re planning for the future.
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, the duo sees ownership as a springboard for even greater things. With increased stability and the ability to make long-term investments in the business, they’re planning new hires, exploring expanded offerings, and continuing to foster the kind of workplace culture that has kept employees and customers coming back for decades.
“After 30 years of doing this, being here daily and seeing our team thrive in a space we truly own—it’s a different kind of pride,” Kristee said. “This isn’t just a building. It’s part of who we are.”
Jennifer agreed, adding, “We’ve been building Big City Bagels for three decades, and our goal has always been to grow smart, stay grounded, and serve our community well. Owning this location helps us do all of that—and more.”
🔗 Learn more about BCB Café: https://bcbcafes.com
📩 Explore SBA 504 financing: https://tmcfinancing.com