Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill founder, CEO commits suicide in Bronx factory
The founder and CEO of Golden Krust Caribbean Bakery & Grill killed himself inside his Bronx factory Saturday, police sources said.
Lowell Hawthorne, 57, shot himself inside the Park Ave. building near E. 173rd St. in Claremont about 5:30 p.m., sources said.
More than a dozen current and former employees stood in disbelief outside the factory hours later. Some had tears rolling down their cheeks.
“He was a good boss, humble and a good businessman,” said Pete Tee, 27, a former employee.
“He never seemed sad. This is just terrible news right now.”
Workers stand outside the Golden Krust’s factory on Park Avenue after Hawthorne committed suicide inside.
(ANGUS MORDANT/FOR NEW YORK DAILY NEWS)
Hawthorne opened the first Golden Krust store on E. Gun Hill Rd. in 1989.
He built the Jamaica beef patty purveyor into a national empire boasting more than 120 restaurants across the U.S.
