LYNN-A successful mail-order lobster business based in Chicago has relocated its East Coast distribution facility from Peabody to Lynn where rent is cheaper and customers can be assured of receiving fresh Maine lobster.

Lobster Gram, founded in 1987, delivers ocean-fresh Maine and exotic lobsters, gourmet steaks, and crab-and-shrimp dinner packages, some complete with cooking pot, shell cracker, butter, bibs, napkins, forks, and even a candle with holder.

Dan 'The Lobster Man' Zawacki, a former Honeywell salesman, started the business in his father's garage, in a saltwater tank purchased from a defunct restaurant.

The business slowly grew from selling a few dozen lobsters by UPS air-freight to a multi-state enterprise with international connections on four continents.

A marketing whiz with a degree from Western Illinois University, Zawacki spent eight years selling and shipping crustaceans from his Chicago headquarters, but the overall product lacks what he calls the mystique of New England-packaged Maine lobster.

"People just don't like getting lobsters mailed from Chicago - the romance doesn't work," he said. "We sell high-end gifts so we have to romance the story."

According to Zawacki, after nine years in Peabody, the company was looking to relocate. He toured prospective sites in Danvers, Gloucester and Boston, but opted for quarters in the East Coast Seafood building at 175 Alley St.

"Lynn wants us here," said Zawacki, noting that commercial space in Lynn costs half the price of other locations he scouted.

Zawacki said Lobster Gram has cornered the mail-order lobster business. "The cool thing about Lobster Gram is that it's a happy company," he said, reciting the corporate mantra: Peace, love and lobster.

"We make people happy because you don't need a Lobster Gram, you want a Lobster Gram. Everyone loves great food."

The self-described 'Lobster Man' and 'senior lobster consultant' said making money while having fun is one of the company's biggest attractions.

"I've never had this much fun. I've got great people, I feel so fortunate to have a company like this and even more so that I was able to come up with an idea like this."

The Lobster Gram lineup has expanded since its early days to include filet mignon, shrimp, crab cakes, Alaskan King Crab legs, chowder, gourmet desserts, and exotic lobster tails from New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Brazil.

As Zawacki puts it, what started as a "one Lobster Man show, with sales of 180 packages a year, now supports 24 full-time and 72 seasonal employees, and shipped more than 500,000 packages in 2003."

Dinner for two, including lobster and filet mignon, costs about $90 to $110. Orders can be mouse clicked on the company Web site or faxed directly to Lobster Gram.

A numbered gift certificate explains to the recipient how to redeem it.

Deliveries of live Maine lobster packed in seaweed are Tuesday through Friday. Saturday deliveries are available in most areas for an extra courier charge of $12. A minimum of 48-hours notice must be given prior to delivery. During the holiday season, the minimum advance notice may be longer.

According to Zawacki, if your package contains live Maine lobster, plan to eat it the same day.

For gifts containing frozen goods, a minimum notice of 72 hours is required. Frozen packages are delivered Wednesday through Friday.

Lobster Gram corporate clients include Colgate/Palmolive, Samuel Adams, Taco Bell, Keebler, Fox TV, Playboy, Nissan, Xerox and Citibank. Celebrity customers include Sharon Stone, Howard Stern, Macy Gray, Tom Brokaw, Martina Navratilova, Richard Geere and Robert Redford.

The company has been featured on Dateline NBC and the Wheel of Fortune, and in the Wall Street Journal, Playboy magazine, Bon Appetit magazine, the Chicago Tribune and USA Today.

Zawacki emphasizes that his products make the ideal gift for the wealthy corporate client or that special person. Forget roses, he says, and send a tail by mail. In fact, of the 10 varieties of lobster tail sold, once actually weighs 24 ounces - as much as the most common whole lobster. Lobster Gram, the largest lobster home delivery business in the world, can be reached at 1 (800) LIVE - LOB or at www.LiveLob.com.

Gift certificates currently can not be redeemed via the company Web site.