Saul Zabar, one of the most recognizable names in New York food, died this week at age 97. He was the longtime co-owner of Zabar’s, the famous Upper West Side grocery store known for its wide range of gourmet food.
Zabar had been in the hospital after suffering a brain bleed, according to family. Even into his 90s, he still visited the store often and kept an eye on how things were run.
The Zabar family has been a part of the neighborhood since the 1930s. Saul and his brother Stanley helped grow the store from a small corner shop into a two-story market with thousands of loyal customers.
“Saul was a great man. Like a father to everybody in the store. Every employee here is completely broken up,” said store manager Scott Goldshine, who worked closely with him for decades.
Zabar’s daughter Annie said her dad loved the store deeply. “He poured his heart into this place—just as he did into every pot of coffee he brewed—and his influence will always guide us,” she said.
Local leaders also responded. City Councilmember Shaun Abreu made a post of his memories of Saul.“The Upper West Side won’t be the same without him, but the legacy he built won’t disappear any time soon,” he wrote.
Mayor Eric Adams also paid a tribute to him via a post on X.
“A true New York legend. He gave the city lox, love, and a place to argue over babka. Zabar’s isn’t just a store, it’s a slice of NYC soul. May his memory be a blessing,” Adams said.
The shop will go on, and so will his legacy — not just in food, but in the way he made people feel welcome, whether they came in for coffee or caviar.
