With the sixth generation of Lobels poised to go into the work force, perhaps a few of them will find their way into the beloved 600-square-foot butcher shop on Madison Avenue that has remained a family tradition for more than 60 years.
Michael, Jessica, and David Lobel
Stanley Lobel’s oldest son David calls his two children “the most wonderful kids in the world.”
His daughter Jessica is 20 years old and in her junior year at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut. The sociology major has made the Dean’s List multiple times and was a serious softball player in high school. “She works really hard at everything she does—she sinks her teeth in and has accomplished a great deal,” gushes her proud dad.
Son Michael is 16 and a sophomore in high school. An avid baseball player, he has competed on travel teams and also likes basketball. Michael has recently fallen in love with playing guitar and his band even performed at his school’s homecoming game.
Whether either of the siblings will follow their dad into the shop, “is anybody’s guess,” laughs David who says both kids are expert meatball makers from earlier days going to work with him, and they both know the store is always there should they want to come on board.
Haley, Joey, Evan, Tamie, and Cori Lobel
Evan Lobel also raves about his children, which include daughters Joanna (aka Joey), Cori, and Haley.
“They are all incredible kids, and each one is completely different,” explains Evan, who says his oldest daughter Joey is 21 and a senior at Pratt Institute in Brooklyn. “She is a bright and optimistic spirit and shows great compassion for others,” he adds. He also describes her as very artistic, and she recently completed an apprenticeship at Esquire magazine in their marketing department. She is currently enjoying living in an apartment in Brooklyn and having fun with her friends.
Middle daughter Cori is a sophomore at the College of Charleston in South Carolina. Evan says she has very strong business instincts and a keen artistic eye, which is right in keeping with her college major of marketing/business. He also says she’s very sensitive, intuitive, and insightful, and has a unique fascination with watches and timepieces and their inner mechanics. According to her dad, Cori “has a passion for life and living—and lives in the moment.”
Evan and his wife Tamie are relishing their time with their youngest daughter Haley who is a junior in high school and the last one still living at home. She has been a cheerleader for five years and as dad puts it “has an incredible understanding of people around her.” She is a strong writer and enjoys English and writing. Ironically her boyfriend has the same name as her dad, and her boyfriend’s mother’s name is Tammy, the same as her mother’s.
Evan also fondly recalls his daughters accompanying him to work and watching their aprons fall to the floor, as they were much too big.
Scotty, Brian, and Mark Lobel
Mark Lobel says he wouldn’t be too surprised if his oldest son Brian, who is completing his last year at Manhattanville College, goes into the family business.
“Brian can sell you the Brooklyn Bridge,” jokes Mark who has always been impressed by both of his sons’ strong social skills. He describes his two children’s experience with the store as different than his own, as much of their time growing up has been spent traveling for baseball. Brian plays Double A Division 3 baseball and is a pitcher for his team. He studies marketing and management and plans to graduate in May.
Fifteen-year-old Scotty is a sophomore in high school and also pitches and plays third base for his school’s baseball team. He travels all over the country and has yet to decide what he will study in college but has mentioned an interest in banking or law.
Mark describes how his family is extremely close and loves spending time together. He also reiterates what his own father said, “There’s never any pressure—but the business is always there for them if they want it.”
Given that there are no less than 7 sixth-generation Lobel children, it seems the odds are pretty good that at least a couple of them will call 1096 Madison Avenue their workplace in the years to come.
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