TACOMA, Wash. — Local businesses in Tacoma are supporting Howdy Bagel, after one of its founders was killed in New Orleans earlier this month, by donating a portion of proceeds to a fundraiser supporting his husband and staff.
Jacob Carter, 32, was killed Jan. 5 while on vacation with his husband, Daniel Blagovich, according to a Jan. 7 social media post from Howdy Bagel.
“If you knew Jake, you know he was someone who exuded kindness, warmth, and genuine care to everyone he met,” the post reads. “Jake was one of the brightest spots in the lives of everyone he loved.”
Carter was found shot near Bourbon Street and Kerlerec Street in the Marigny neighborhood at about 1:30 a.m. and died at the scene. The Orleans Parish Coroner's Office identified Carter as the victim.
Howdy Bagel was opened in 2020 by Carter and his husband Blagovich. The two began making bagels during the pandemic, spending over a year perfecting the recipe, KING 5 previously reported.
Carter, who is from Texas, previously told KING 5 Evening that the name “Howdy” holds special meaning to the local shop.
"It kind of invokes this sense of warmth and bringing people together, bringing people in and I think we are trying to foster a place of inclusiveness to everyone," Carter told KING 5 in July 2023.
Many local businesses are offering to donate a portion of proceeds to the online fundraiser supporting Blagovich and the business as it is temporarily closed for the time being.
As of Tuesday night, the GoFundMe has raised over $211,700 by 3,600 contributors.
Supporting businesses:
- Bar Rosa is donating $2 from every "Texas Sun" cocktail purchased in January to the fundraiser, according to its Instagram.
- en rama is donating all proceeds from the purchase of its specialty "Howdy Bagel" cocktail this week to the fundraiser, according to its Instagram.
- The Cat and Rabbitt Cake Shop is donating all earnings from the purchase of its Birthday Cake slices, according to a post on Instagram.
- Wooden City Tacoma is donating 20% of all of its bar sales this weekend to the fundraiser, according to its Instagram.
- MM Nutrition and Wellness will donate proceeds from nutrition and counseling and consulting services through this week, according to a Facebook post.
- Union Salon will donate “the value of every haircut” on Jan. 12 and Jan. 13, according to an Instagram post.
- Charme Natural Nail Studio in the Proctor District will donate all sales on Jan. 10, according to a post on Instagram.
- Rabbit Foot Tattoo at Courthouse Square will be hosting a flash event on Jan. 20 and possibly Jan. 21, with 50% of everything made, including tips, according to an Instagram post.
- Arthur Gottlieb will donate 100% of profit from a specific set of tattoos “from now until it’s not needed anymore,” according to an Instagram post. Time slots will be set aside for the next few Sundays, along with later evening time slots.
- People's Pilates will donate 20% of its proceeds made this week to the fundraiser, the business posted on Instagram.
- The Studio Modern Pilates will donate 100% of proceeds from two additional evening classes on Jan. 11, according to a post on Instagram.
- Tuladhara Yoga Studio in Tacoma is hosting special donation-based classes on Sundays from 6-7 p.m. that donate all proceeds to the online fundraiser, according to a Facebook post.
- Jin Jin Matcha and Field Bar & Bottle Shop each donated all of their proceeds made on Jan. 9 to the fundraisers.
