MINNEAPOLIS — Monday afternoon, people gathered inside Sammy's Avenue Eatery in north Minneapolis. Not to eat, but to share stories of the man behind the restaurant.
Sammy McDowell died unexpectedly on Sunday. Posts quickly flooded social media to honor the restaurateur and community leader.
McDowell was the owner of Sammy's Avenue Eatery, a staple of West Broadway known for its sandwiches, soups and supportive atmosphere. Bishop Richard D. Howell of Shiloh Temple International Ministries said McDowell was worshiping at church on Sunday when he slumped over. Howell said paramedics were able to locate a pulse but McDowell later died at the hospital.
"Thinking over this pauses me to appreciate one of the most celebrated community champions," wrote Bishop Howell, who added that he'd been McDowell's pastor for 30 years. "His legacy was spreading cheer and goodwill and making the good better. At his renowned eatery, he hired “second chances” especially young black men who needed these opportunities to reach new heights of success. The very idea of helping and serving others was his thing!"
On Monday, Howell told KARE 11, "Jesus said something so powerful... 'If you want to be great, be a servant.' And he was that kind of person. He just loved to serve people."
A wave of posts on X (Twitter) echoed Howell, describing McDowell as "a staple of the north side," "like a big brother" and "true to the core."
"Loved deeply, and was loved deeply. My condolences to the family," posted Jason Sole.
"It's complicated because I'm definitely feeling sad but then there's also a swell of happiness and joy because... the outpour of support, and love, and the messages... just endless messages of how Sammy has touched people's lives and changed people's situations," reflected Michael McDowell, Sammy's nephew.
Michael said his uncle was just 48 years old. The family is waiting to find out Sammy's cause of death.
"His legacy was love. His legacy was kindness. His legacy was community. His legacy was peace," said Shvonne L. Johnson, who invested in Sammy's eatery about seven years ago. "It also was economic liberation for our community. He believed in wealth building. He believed in establishing generational wealth."
Johnson said Sammy's Avenue Eatery would be back open Tuesday morning.
Many stopped by the eatery Monday to pay their respects. Among them was Marque Jensen, who used to live in the neighborhood and got to know Sammy and his food.
"Hopefully his legacy will inspire all of us that were touched by him to continue to live in the same way that Sammy taught us how to live," Jensen said.
On Tuesday, Shiloh Temple International Ministries will hold "Sammy's Community Picnic & Balloon Release" from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. It's open to the public.
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