Emma DejongManaging Editor

The grand opening of Einstein Bros. Bagels resulted in 50 individuals receiving a year’s worth of free bagel sandwiches.

At 9 a.m. on a Saturday morning, 50 people filed through the doors at Einstein Bros. Bagels, each proud to receive a book of 52 free bagel sandwiches, one for every week of the year.

On Jan. 22 Einstein Bros Bagels had what they called a “Grand Opening Event.” This included giveaways, samples, a bagel toss and the coupon books.

To be part of the first 50, people started showing up at 6 a.m.

The first people in line were two students who also happen to be Community Assistants in Young Hall. Kendall Ledbetter is a sophomore undeclared major and Kari Wehrkamp is a sophomore nursing major.

The couple came prepared.

Among other survival items, they brought a cushion to sit on, a body pillow, a portable DVD player, several movies, coffee mugs, multiple layers of clothing and a blanket.

“This is just preparation for the Jacked Up Rabbit Race,” Ledbetter said.

Staff did not open doors to The Union until 7:45, so the first dozen-or-so dedicated people waited in a temperature of 2 below zero.

“Frostbite’s setting in,” said Caleb Nordquist, a sophomore nursing major.

Ledbetter also started to feel the pain.

“Dude, I can just feel it,” he said. “My limbs are going first.”

For some the morning was more than just free bagels, it was an event.

Kim Prohaska, an electrical engineering instructor, stood in line with her husband, son and daughter 8212; who is also an SDSU student.

“I think we’re the oldest ones here,” Prohaska said about her husband and herself. “It was just more for a family fun thing.”

One student was only there for the early-morning experience.

“My roommate wanted me to come,” said Michael Munston, a junior biology major. “I haven’t eaten there yet. I don’t drink coffee.”

Alicia Underwood, a sophomore math and accounting major at Bemidji State University who used to attend SDSU, compared waiting in line for Bagels to waiting in line for Twilight.

“It’s about the same,” she said. “People up there are playing cards, which is what they did [at Twilight premiere].”

Barry Davis, a sophomore computer science major, said the bagels were worth the early morning.

“It’s kind of cool to see what people are willing to get up for,” Davis said.