Latest news with #Yamali
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
A Lobster, 110, Is Finally Free. Why 1 Restaurant Decided He Should Be Swimming in the Ocean — Instead of Butter
A 110-year-old lobster, Lorenzo, is free of his tank On Thursday, June 12, Peter's Clam Bar in Long Island released its mascot to the ocean with the help of local officials "He's now living his best life — clawing his way to freedom," the restaurant wrote on FacebookA century-old lobster has returned to the ocean after being pardoned by two Long Island officials. On Thursday, June 12, Lorenzo — a 21-lb., 110-year-old lobster — was released by Butch Yamali, the owner of Peter's Clam Bar in Island Park, where Lorenzo was an iconic staple, CW affiliate WPIX, News12 and NBC affiliate WNBC reported. In honor of National Lobster Day and Father's Day, Lorenzo received a full pardon with the help of Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin and Nassau County Legislator John Ferretti, according to WPIX. 'Lorenzo just kind of slipped through the cracks and ended up in our tank for years,' Yamali said of his restaurant's mascot. 'People would come see him and take pictures with him, and he was just an object of the store.' The move mirrors the restaurant's release of another lobster, Lenny, years before. While Lorenzo will be missed, Yamali told the outlet that it's better this way. (The owner didn't immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.) 'If he passed away here, it wouldn't be a good thing,' he told WPIX, 'and I couldn't have the heart to sell him.' Lorenzo traveled to Atlantic Beach Reef with a full escort on a Hempstead Bay Constable boat, according to WNBC. Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 'Most people celebrate National Lobster Day with butter,' Ferretti told the outlet. 'But not today!" The restaurant also had fun celebrating Lorenzo's newfound freedom. 'He's now living his best life — clawing his way to freedom,' wrote the clam bar on Facebook, 'and soaking up the salty breeze (instead of butter).' Read the original article on People
UPI
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- UPI
Watch: New York restaurant returns 110-year-old lobster to the sea
June 16 (UPI) -- A 21-pound lobster estimated to be 110 years old was released back into the open sea by a New York seafood restaurant. Butch Yamali, owner of Peter's Clam Bar in Hempstead, Long Island, said the lobster, named Lorenzo, has been living at the eatery for years. "Lorenzo just kind of slipped through the cracks and ended up in our tank for years," Yamali told WPIX-TV. He said freeing Lorenzo seemed like an appropriate way to celebrate National Lobster Day and Father's Day. "Some of these lobsters just don't live that long, and this one did. So we figured what better way to celebrate Father's Day than by freeing Lorenzo. He became like a pet. People would come see him and take pictures with him, and he was just an object of the store," Yamali said. Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin and Nassau County Legislator John Ferretti teamed up with Peter's Clam Bar to "pardon" Lorenzo prior to his release at the Atlantic Beach Reef. "He's now living his best life -- clawing his way to freedom and soaking up the salty breeze (instead of butter)," the restaurant said in a Facebook post. Yamali said he was pleased to be able to give Lorenzo a second chance at life in the wild. "He's gonna be missed, but I think it's better like this. If he passed away here, it wouldn't be a good thing, and I couldn't have the heart to sell him," he said.
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Lorenzo, the giant NY lobster, gets a second chance at life
NEW YORK (PIX11) — A giant lobster with a long history is now making waves in a different way. Thanks to a special celebration and the big-hearted people behind it, Lorenzo—the 21-pound, 110-year-old lobster—is swimming free once again. More Local News On Thursday, Peter's Clam Bar in Hempstead, Long Island, marked National Lobster Day and Father's Day with a heartfelt gesture: setting Lorenzo free. Butch Yamali, owner of Peter's Clam Bar, shared how Lorenzo became part of the restaurant's story. 'Lorenzo just kind of slipped through the cracks and ended up in our tank for years,' he said. Yamali explained that Lorenzo had become a fixture at the establishment. 'Some of these lobsters just don't live that long, and this one did. So we figured what better way to celebrate Father's Day than by freeing Lorenzo. He became like a pet. People would come see him and take pictures with him, and he was just an object of the store.' The celebration gained official support when Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin and Nassau County Legislator John Ferretti joined forces to pardon and release Lorenzo back into the wild. This event echoes a similar story with Lenny, another giant lobster the restaurant famously freed, continuing a tradition of giving these ancient crustaceans a second chance at life. When asked if Lorenzo would be missed, Yamali said, 'He's gonna be missed, but I think it's better like this. If he passed away here, it wouldn't be a good thing, and I couldn't have the heart to sell him.' And just like that, Lorenzo was returned to the Atlantic Beach Reef—back to the open sea, his home once again. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
