Remembering a friend, Lowell Hawthorne.

I was headed to New York to attend the wake and funeral of Lowell Hawthorne. I didn’t take his death lightly because Lowell is a factor in where I am in my life today. He stood very high on the list of people I respect in business and for motivation.

I left my my 9–5 job in the middle of 1995 and had $3000 in my 401k which I withdrew for what I called my investment into the future of my family and I. The second time in my history I had to pay rental deposit in two halves to secure a place. I secured a place at 2100 West Florence Blvd, LOS Angeles which became Island Patties.

By the time I was done making the rental deposit and deposits on utilities I had only $500 left. For the first two weeks, my Xwife and I woke up 5am, headed to the newly opened restaurant to pic up wholesale donuts to sell in the restaurant. This was not making any sense to me. I lookup up Golden Krust, called up the office on GunHill RD, made an appointment to see the owner (I didn’t know his name) spent the $500 on airfare and headed to New York for a meeting with Golden Krust

I didn’t wait long because Lowell was expecting me. He had me sit with his sister Maxine (I called her Lorraine) who showed me the plethora of products GK offered and my eyes dazzled. I had no clue they had that many lines.

After Maxine was done with me Lowell took me in his car and drove me to the then New patty plant where he gave me a tour of how patties are made, bread, bun and the works. Though I was excited I didn’t know where this was all going because I knew I had no money.

After two hours he headed back to the Gun Hill office and during that ride I told Lowell I had no money. That I just opened my restaurant but I have no way of stocking it. Whatever he meant at the time, I had no clue when he said “nuh worry man, Maxine will take care of you” I blew some level of relief but still uncertain of what would happen.

When we walked in office Lowell went over to Maxine and spoke for a few minutes then disappeared. Maxine called me over and said “Ok Mr. Gilling, what do you want ? I told her what my challenge was and before I knew it, $4500 of goods were being shipped in a cold storage truck headed for LOS Angeles from New York for me.

Maxine wanted me to bake the all frozen products (including bread & patties coco bread etc) , in my restaurant and the sweet product will be shipped to me frozen. Lowell ask me to come back to New York a few weeks later to take me through training on how to bake the products he just sent. I don’t remember where I found the money to return but I made. it.

I truly believe the success of my restaurant and all other ventures I have pursued. was due to the intervention of Lowell Hawthorne.

I do not question how Lowell left us. That is truly his affair. I am happy because in all of what he has accomplished I am absolutely certain that there are many other persons including his family, who can tell this same story or better because Lowell lived exactly how he was.

Lowell Hawthorne, Thank you for the life you gave me. I never forgot that’s why I stayed close to Maxine over the years, because she represented you the day my life took a different turn.

You were a tower of strength, the beacon for many of us to yearn for. One love My Brother.