On the side streets of new york

Midtown Lumber - 276 West 25th StreetThere was never a question whether Michael Kopf was going to take over Midtown Lumber when he grew up. Since 1962, when his family came to New York and his father and uncle co-founded the business, it has been a part of Mike’s life. He spent his earliest days in and around the place: “I used to play in the bins in the back,” he recalled. Though Mike eventually attended Baruch College, he always arranged his class schedule to allow him ample time to work at the lumber shop. Today, Mike is the owner of this family business, though he says his true business is making people happy. Whether he is servicing lumber, giving customers quotes, or ringing them up at the cash register, in his mind the “customer always comes first.”

To read more, visit Manhattan Sideways (sideways.nyc), created by Betsy Bober Polivy.