There really can’t be many things more difficult than moving from England to America, except simultaneously trying to bring the standards of a newly purchased business up to your standards.
That is exactly what Laura and James Drury are doing with Keystone Bagels, formerly Billy’s Bagels on Mill Creek Parkway by Falls-Tullytown Road in Falls Township’s Levittown section.
Advertisements
Laura, daughter of Bristol Township Council Vice President Amber Longhitano, and James met while serving in the British military. Both served in Iraq and Afghanistan before settling in the United Kingdom. They decided to move to the United States, and the immediate area in particular, due to their family connections in Bucks County.
In the month that they have been in the States, Laura and James have been working 24 hours a day, seven days a week in order to get their new business and their new lives stabilized.
While the popular business never closed, the couple has rebranded, begun painting and worked to change up the operation.
Advertisements
Before actually moving to the States, the couple knew about the business they were purchasing, however, they underestimated the work they were going to put into it.
“We knew we would have to put some money into it, but there is a lot of stuff still to do,” James said.
One thing the new owners aren’t going to touch is the food. According to James, the food has always been impeccable and will continue to be so moving forward. In addition to changing the breakfast menu a little, a lunch menu is being added and expanded upon, so the business can better serve people throughout the day.
Advertisements
The business will be up to the Drury’s standards in about four to six weeks, if everything goes according to plan, according to James.
“It’s absolutely exhausting. We haven’t had a day off this month,” James said, commenting on the strenuous schedule of moving between nations while also trying to bring up a business.
James and Laura met through military when they were posted in the same location. They have two children, 6-year-old Lexi and 19-month old Sienna.
