Thirty-three years ago this month, on Detroit Street in Ann Arbor, I walked into a tiny space which had once been a nondescript grocery store. I quickly hit it off with the friendly two young owners who described how they were opening the first Jewish deli in Ann Arbor.
As good as the food and the service was, I never could have guessed that 33 years later these two kids, one from Detroit and the other from Chicago, would be receiving honorary doctorates from their alma mater, The University of Michigan. Even more amazing, they are going to be the commencement speakers!
A few years earlier, as a high school senior, I had heard, President Lyndon Johnson deliver a commencement speech in the Big House in which he announced the war on poverty. How the world has changed. Now the university is honoring two of its graduates who set standards for Great Food, Great Service, and Great Employees.
That little deli has grown to eight businesses, all in Ann Arbor, employing a thousand people. Second only to the university of Michigan, Zingerman’s has become the most famous destination in Ann Arbor.
Through their visionary leadership, Paul and Ari have expanded the notion of “customer” from the individual to the community at-large. It’s only fitting that the community in which they thrive, honor them at graduation this year. Big question: Will Ari wear the robes? My guess is that he will, since they are black, the only color he wears!
I know Paul’s father and Ari’s mother are going to be very proud.