It is already quite difficult to run a small business these days, but what on earth is happening here?

Instead of expected customers, an unexpected uninvited guest showed up.

Something creeps in through the back door of a bagel shop in North Carolina, USA.

Taking a closer look, it turns out to be a small alligator.

After roaming without hesitation past the storage room and all the way into the kitchen, it eventually reveals itself inside the store.

The store owner, who was busy installing a new oven at the time, discovered the alligator belatedly and urgently reported it to the police.

The alligator was captured without any major incident.

Later, the store owner wittily introduced the unexpected guest on social media, saying that word about their fresh bagel shop seems to have spread all the way to the swamp.

(Source: Facebook @Bagel Dock Express)