MTA Unveils Tribute to Legendary Saul Zabar at 79 St Subway Station

Photo: MTA

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) unveiled a tribute for Saul Zabar, owner of the New York institution Zabar’s, who died this week at 97 and who partnered with the MTA last year to celebrate the 120th anniversary of the New York City Subway, and the 90th anniversary of Zabar’s. The vinyl posters, which can be found along the platforms of the nearby 79 St 1 station, feature a drawing of Saul Zabar in his white Zabar’s coat.

Last year, the MTA partnered with Zabar’s to celebrate joint anniversaries, the subway’s 120th and Zabar’s 90th, with Zabar’s offering a promotional “commuter special” featuring a $1.20 bagel with schmear, a $2.90 bagel with schmear and a coffee and a $9.90 bagel with cream cheese and lox. Bagels were wrapped in bagel- and subway-themed paper with drawings of stations, cars, and signage.

In 1934, husband and wife Louis and Lillian Zabar established Zabar’s as a 22-foot-wide shop along Broadway and West 80th Street. with a mission to serve the highest quality coffee and smoked fish. Four generations and 91 years later, the family business remains as a New York institution serving its carefully curated selection of world-class food, from smoked fish and fresh-baked bagels to pastries, freshly roasted coffee, cheese, and more gourmet and specialty items.