Louis Zabar, born Mordko Leib Zabarka, (1901–1950) came to the United States through Canada from Ukraine, Soviet Union, in the early 1920s.

[5] Importing the Wigomat and other drip coffee makers in the late 1960s, Zabar's was the first shop selling these machines in the USA.

[8][9] The New York Times reported that the store "charged $16.95 a pound" for the seafood spread made mostly of salted crawfish and mayonnaise.

[9] Eli Zabar has his own line of specialty shops, which as of 2023 comprises ten outlets.

He also owned the now-closed restaurant and market, Vinegar Factory, on East 91st Street near York Avenue.