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Bankruptcy Takes A Bite Out Of H&H Bagels

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork/AP) -- A company behind one of New York City's most beloved bagel makers says it is bankrupt.

H&H Bagels founder Helmer Toro sought Chapter 11 protection on Thursday for one of the entities that make up the business.

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In court papers, he blamed the economy and a rent dispute for the problems of the company, Garden Operation Realty.

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The court filing listed $5.1 million in debt. The company said it believed it could recover.

The bankruptcy filing will put a hold on a separate legal action that might have led to H&H getting locked out of a bakery in Secaucus, N.J.

The H&H shop on Manhattan's Upper West Side remains open, as does a shop on West 46th Street.

(TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2011 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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