The shop was founded by Murray Bernstein in 1945.[4] A few years later, his brother, Sam, became a co-owner.[4] The Bernsteins were born inPoland and immigrated to New York in the 1920s to escapeantisemitism.[4]
The store specializes insmoked fish, especiallysturgeon, andcaviar.[4][5] In 1964,The New York Times described it as "one of the busiest places on Broadway" and praised its products as "first quality".[5] The store ships their fish all over the world, and in 1980 Murray's appetizers were being sold at theNeiman Marcus Epicure Shop inWhite Plains, New York.[6]
In 1974, the shop was sold to restaurateurArtie Cutler. Artie took in a partner, Harold "Heshy" Berliner, in 1979. They sold the business to Ira Goller in 1990.[8] Goller continued to own and operate the store 34 years later in 2024 and prides himself on maintaining continuity with its origins.[9][2]
Sam Bernstein died in 1977 and Murray Bernstein died in 2000.[4][7]
