Michael Jacob, 75, restaurateur "... was the number one schmoozer in Minneapolis"
Hoodini
He was a fixture at Jacob's 101 Restaurant, which he co-owned, and
Nye's, which his sons own. He was 75.
By Ben Cohen, Star Tribune
Last update: May 07, 2007 – 9:46 PM
http://www.startribune.com/466/story/1169168.html
Michael Jacob, co-owner of the old Jacob's 101 Restaurant and Bar in
northeast Minneapolis, left his native Lebanon at age 18 to live in
Minneapolis and became a fixture at two restaurants: Jacob's and Nye's.
The longtime Minneapolis resident died Friday of complications from an
aneurysm. He was 75.
Jacob, who joined the U.S. Air Force shortly after arriving in the
country, learned English and the restaurant business by helping to run
an officers club at an Air Force base in Michigan.
After his hitch in the military, he helped run his family's grocery
store in northeast Minneapolis.
In 1971, he and his brothers Albert and Ramez bought the 101 and
expanded it.
Jacob served as host there and, later, at his sons' restaurant, Nye's.
"He was the number one schmoozer in Minneapolis. He had a big gift for
remembering people," said nephew George Jacob, who bought the 101 in
1991; the restaurant closed in 2005.
Jacob, who once was named restaurant host of the year by Mpls.St. Paul
magazine, remembered more than his customers' names, said son Rob, who
co-owns Nye's with his brother Tony.
"He made everybody feel like a million bucks," Rob Jacob said. "If
somebody walked into the 101 in 1975, and he [Jacob] stumbled upon
them in 2002, he would remember the face, the name and something about
their family."
He'd jump up and greet guests, kissing and hugging men and women
alike, as was the custom in Lebanon.
"He had a crack memory," said his son, adding that his father nurtured
that memory by reading, especially about history and current events.
Jacob, who retired from the 101 in 1991, didn't need to work at Nye's,
but after 14-hour-long days in his heyday, he wanted to stay in touch
with his friends and help his sons.
Many 101 customers followed Jacob to Nye's, said Marty Kouri, a friend
from the time that Jacob moved to Minneapolis and who did business
with him.
"I was amazed by his ability with people," Kouri said. "He always
found the good in somebody.
A trustee of his church, St. Maron Maronite Catholic in Minneapolis,
Jacob also served as its cantor, singing holy songs on Sundays in four
languages.
In addition to his sons Rob of Medina and Tony of New Brighton, he is
survived by his wife of 47 years, Therese of Minneapolis; son Jack of
Coon Rapids; daughter Lorie of Plymouth; brothers Albert and Ramez,
both of Minneapolis, and six grandchildren.
Services will be held at 10 a.m. Wednesday at St. Maron Maronite
Catholic Church, 6th and University Avenues NE. Visitation will be
held at 5 p.m. today at the church.
--
"a bugliada da, yagi mu a mugi woogayo"