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“The number 1 train here at 79th Street was the most important part of my life. It’s a fabulous place to get on the train, and it’s close to Zabar’s,” said Stanley Zabar at a 2024 event in which the MTA and Zabar’s celebrated their anniversaries—91 and 121 years, respectively. “My father always said if you could open a store within two blocks of a subway, you’d become a rich store owner.” Now, following Saul’s passing at 97, the impeccable ‘lox smith’ with incredible marketing acumen is being honored by the MTA with a vinyl sign of his animated likeness at the subway station where many Zabar’s shoppers get on and off daily.
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“This tribute is the MTA’s way of honoring Saul, Zabar’s, and this special family that I’ve known my entire life at the 79th Street station, where thousands of New Yorkers can be reminded every day of his impact,” said MTA Chair and Upper West Side native Janno Lieber at the dedication memorial on Friday, October 10. “The Upper West Side won’t be the same without Saul, who helped a lot of businesses, not just his own, including the MTA.” Local officials, including city councilmember Gale Brewer, assemblymember Linda Rosenthal, and state senator Brad Hoylman, were all in attendance.Before the unveiling underground, attendees gathered by Zabar’s on Broadway between West 80th and 81st streets. It’s currently unclear if the 79th Street Station will someday receive a full Saul Zabar dedication, similar to Malcolm X at 110th Street, but the MTA plans to keep the Saul Zabar posters up at the subway station—one on the northbound side and another on the south—for the foreseeable future.
According to Lori Zabar in her book, Zabar’s: A Family Story, with Recipes, Saul Zabar carried on the family’s tradition of quality and service, principles set by his grandfather, Louis Zabar. After Louis passed away in 1950, Saul, along with his brother Stanley and partner Murray Klein, took over the business. They expanded Zabar’s offerings, introducing competitive pricing and a wide range of products—from housewares to specialty foods—while maintaining the store’s commitment to excellence. The family’s dedication to both customers and the community remained central, with four generations actively involved. Even in their 90s, Saul and Stanley were still engaged in the store’s daily operations, alongside their grandchildren.
Long Live Saul Zabar.
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