Born in Brooklyn New York in August of 1921 Stan Weinstein was raised with his younger sister Isabel during the depression era in brownstone apartment on Avenue K in Brooklyn. Graduating Boys' High he went on to college as a pre-med student.With his education being interrupted by World War II, he proudly served in the army as a radio and communications specialist in India. While serving in the military, he met the love of his life Eleanor Finegold and they were married in 1946.

  With the new responsibilities of marriage and a new baby, he wasn't able to continue with his education and became the breadwinner for his new family. Working for Eleanor's family in the "needles trade" as a cloth cutter in a clothing manufacturing plant, Stan decided to pursue a better life for his family and moved to Los Angeles where he continued to work for relatives in the garment industry.

  His dream was to open his own business someday which he finally did in the 50's purchasing Richies drive in restaurant in Garden Grove complete with roller skating carhops!. Stan quickly outgrew Richies and it was decided that it would be torn down and a new full service family dining restaurant would be built on the site. Cookies Family Restaurant was built and flourished, but Stan's dream of owning a New York delicatessen had not been fulfilled.

  In 1967 along with two partners, Stan purchased Squires coffee shop here on Tustin Avenue where it was remodeled and opened as Benjies on October 8 of 1967 where it exists today. It is now run by his son and daughter-in-law Lloyd and Noriko Weinstein where it has remained as an Icon for 40 years.