Peter’s Clam Bar bids farewell to Lorenzo the lobster in a symbolic Father’s Day release
A New York seafood restaurant made a rare and heartwarming gesture this week by releasing a 21-pound, 110-year-old lobster back into the ocean.
The lobster, affectionately named Lorenzo, had become an unlikely fixture at Peter’s Clam Bar in Hempstead, Long Island. For years, he lived inside the restaurant’s tank, not as a menu item, but as something closer to a mascot.
“Lorenzo just kind of slipped through the cracks and ended up in our tank for years,” said owner Butch Yamali, speaking to WPIX-TV.
A celebration of longevity and compassion
Yamali said the release was timed to coincide with National Lobster Day and Father’s Day, adding a symbolic layer to an already emotional farewell.
“Some of these lobsters just don’t live that long, and this one did,” Yamali said. “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.”
A community-backed release
Lorenzo’s release was more than just a private decision; it turned into a local event. Hempstead Town Supervisor Don Clavin and Nassau County Legislator John Ferretti joined Yamali in formally “pardoning” Lorenzo before he was returned to the sea at Atlantic Beach Reef.
In a lighthearted Facebook post, the restaurant wrote:
“He’s now living his best life—clawing his way to freedom and soaking up the salty breeze (instead of butter).”
A fitting farewell
For Yamali, releasing Lorenzo wasn’t just about ethics—it was about doing what felt right.
“He’s going to be missed, but I think it’s better like this,” he said. “If he passed away here, it wouldn’t be a good thing, and I couldn’t have the heart to sell him.”
Now, back in the wild, Lorenzo’s story is a rare one, symbolizing compassion, longevity, and the surprising connections that can be made even between people and crustaceans.
