Two female employees yesterday thwarted two armed men attempting to rob Bruegger's Bagels, Downtown, during rush hour.

The suspects walked into the store at 429 Fourth Ave. around 6 p.m., when the two women were closing.

One man pulled out a knife, and the other pointed a silver handgun at the women, police said. They demanded money and began corralling the women into the corner of the store.

A scuffle ensued after the manager attempted to close the office door. One of the men grabbed her in a "bear hug," said city police Lt. Dan Herrmann.

The 24-year-old woman, who stands about 5 feet and weighs about 100 pounds, then bit her assailant. He threw her down and began kicking her, but she managed to kick him in the groin.

As this point, the other employee, who is 25, ran out of the store and called 911.

The men fled, empty-handed, before police arrived.

The manager received bumps and bruises and an 8-inch slash across her forearm, police said. She was taken to Mercy Hospital and was in stable condition.