Sydney Bagel Shop Targeted with Anti-Jewish Hate Crime Days Before Opening
A vibrant new bagel shop in Sydney’s fashionable Paddington district has been tragically defaced with anti-Jewish graffiti, casting a dark shadow just days before its highly anticipated grand opening. The incident, which saw a Nazi swastika emblazoned on the premises, has sent shockwaves through the local community and highlighted the persistent threat of antisemitism.
Candy Berger, the CEO of Lox In A Box, a burgeoning bagel chain, discovered the offensive vandalism on Thursday evening. The Paddington location, poised to be the latest addition to the company’s growing presence alongside existing stores in Bondi, Coogee, and Marrickville, was scheduled to open its doors to the public on April 9th.
Ms. Berger shared her profound disappointment and shock in a social media post on Thursday. She recounted her visit to the Paddington store the previous day, a moment filled with excitement as the building fit-out had just been completed.
“We were so excited to finally share our Paddo space with you,” Ms. Berger, who has Jewish heritage, wrote. “We were going to take you on a tour, we wanted to show you the hand-painted windows, the space, and all the details. It’s something we’ve been working so hard towards for weeks. A build that’s held so much of us. Our literal blood, sweat and heart. And now tears.”
The contrast between her hopeful anticipation and the grim reality she encountered was stark.
“Yesterday, we proudly took the paper down. And today, we wanted to cover it all up again. This morning, we arrived to find a swastika etched into the glass.”
A Defiant Stand Against Hate
Despite the deeply upsetting nature of the incident, Ms. Berger expressed a resolute spirit. She described the challenging period of building a business, a phase where a venture is no longer small but not yet fully established and secure.
“I’ve been showing up every day, pushing through this strange in-between of building something. Where you’re no longer small, but not yet big enough to feel steady just yet,” she explained.
Her motivation to persevere stems from her passion for her work and her deep appreciation for her colleagues and customers.
“But today, my strength gave way. I lost my words, I didn’t have gratitude. This one deeply hurt,” Ms. Berger admitted. “I stood there in shock, thinking about what that symbol represents… What it has cost us… I am the granddaughter of a Holocaust survivor, and today felt like a punch that landed deeper than most.”
The timing of the vandalism, occurring just before the observance of Passover in early April, imbues the upcoming religious holiday with an even greater significance for Ms. Berger.
“A time where we remember that the Jewish people have been marked before. Hunted before. Silenced before. Told to disappear before. And yet, we are still here,” she stated, her words resonating with historical resilience.
Community Support and Police Investigation
Ms. Berger confirmed that the police have been notified and were “amazing” in their response. Crucially, she asserted that the incident would not derail the store’s planned opening.
“We will not let it close our doors or dim the light of something we’ve worked so hard to build. That is what hate wants and we refuse to give it that,” she declared, underscoring a powerful commitment to overcoming adversity.
New South Wales Police have confirmed they are actively investigating the incident of malicious damage. A spokesperson stated that a report was received on Thursday afternoon concerning the business on Oxford Street, Paddington. Preliminary inquiries indicate the vandalism occurred on Saturday, March 21, 2026.
Authorities are appealing to the public for any information or relevant footage that could assist in their investigation. Anyone with pertinent details is urged to contact the police.
