Max’s Appetizing exits the Five Towns after 73 years

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From Woodmere to Hewlett and now to New Hyde Park, Bobby Leshansky is taking Five Towns mainstay Max’s Appetizing & Kosher Deli further west to help ensure survival of a business that began nearly 73 years ago.

Max’s Appetizing & Kosher Deli in Hewlett is moving to 3315 Hillside Ave. in New Hyde Park in March. The Woodmere on Broadway store was opened by Leshansky’s parents, Jerry and Daisy Leshansky, in 1947 serving the community with traditional dishes, such as chopped liver and matzah ball soup as well as prime rib, veal cutlets and brisket. Leshansky moved the business to 1483 Broadway in Hewlett in 2012.

Leshansky, 64, said the decision has been in the making for more than two years. “This is something I’ve been thinking about for the last couple of years, this has been an emotional rollercoaster filled with many memories and heartfelt relationships,” he said. “I had such a tough time making this decision since this is a community that I’ve lived in and served since I’ve been knee-high.” 

The decision was made more difficult because of the people he has encountered over the years. “I remember delivering food to Red Holzman’s house in Cedarhurst as a kid,” he said “The customers have become like an extended family to me, I love this community.” Holzman was the New York Knicks head coach from 1967 to 1982.

Besides running Max’s, Leshansky also operates a kosher catering business, Majestic Caterer, and travels to Connecticut, Manhattan and the North Shore of Long Island to serve customers. He noted the eating habits of a majority of Five Towns residents have changed as another reason for relocation.

“It got to the point where people weren’t coming here on enough of a consistent basis,” he said. “We can’t live from holiday to holiday, you need support on a consistent basis. Logistically, it makes sense for me to operate my business out of New Hyde Park.”

Hewlett-Woodmere Business Association president David Friedman recalled going to Max’s as a child. “On Sundays, I remember going to Max’s for brunch with my family,” Friedman said. “The Leshanskys are a nice family and Bobby has done a great job of carrying on the store from his parents.” 

The customers extend beyond the Five Towns as Valley Stream native Jody Linsky said she’s always gone to Max’s for family parties. “Despite the move, whenever I need an appetizing caterer, I will still call Max’s,” Linsky posted on Facebook. “We’re only a few years away from our family’s next generation of bar/bat mitzvahs and no matter where they’re located, Max’s will be the ones handling it.”

Though he will not have a physical presence in the Five Towns, Leshansky said that he can still serve the area through his catering business. “I will be happy to accommodate any customer as long as I get at least 24 hours of notice,” he said. “No matter how big or small the order is, I’m only a phone call away. My father always taught me that quality and service are the two most important things a business can offer to customers.”