Robert Ian Kaufelt (October 7, 1947) is a "pioneer" in upscale supermarkets and specialty foods and the former owner of Murray's Cheese who is credited with turning Murray's into the "Apple Store of fromage." In 1991, he bought Murray's Cheese, the oldest cheese shop in New York City, founded by Murray Greenberg. He turned the store into a nationally recognized "gourmet destination".Kaufelt is an "important presence in the specialty food industry" as an innovative retailer, author of The Murray's Cheese Handbook, educator and "sought-after speaker".