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Following the death of Kenny Shopsin, the legendary owner of diner Shopsin’s General Store, customers are taking to social media to pay respects and share remembrances of the complicated man. People from best-selling author Meg Wolitzer to New York magazine food critic Adam Platt — who called Shopsin an “opinionated short order genius” — are among the fans.
Shopsin died this weekend, leaving behind a large legacy of a restaurant that could be both welcoming and judgmental all at once. Open since 1973, Shopsin’s General Store is known for its wacky 900-item menu, many rules, and communal spirit. But perhaps most famous of all is its mercurial leader, who has been known to both feed starving artists for free and tell other customers off.
Profiled by the New Yorker in 2002, Shopsin became a living legend and went on to write a cookbook, star in a documentary, and continue his daily work in the restaurant. Here are some remembrances of the influential man:
So sorry to hear Kenny Shopsin has died. My early 20s were spent at Shopsin's General Store in the W. Village. There my best friends and I ate his Senegalese soup and I think a chicken soup with orange sections in it, and sat back and watched the scene.
— Meg Wolitzer (@MegWolitzer) September 4, 2018
RIP NYC’s voluable & opinionated short order genius, Mr Kenny Shopsin.... pic.twitter.com/uFJn01UCFP
— Adam Platt (@plattypants) September 3, 2018
Kenny Shopsin taught me that turning cheeseburgers into soup was an smart decision; that a restaurateur could be stubborn af and even teach guests to have a laugh about it, even if it meant they couldn’t sit in a party of 5. and he was so sweet to me whenever I came in. RIP
— Soleil Ho @ XOXO Fest (@hooleil) September 3, 2018
There's nothing I can say about Kenny Shopsin's passing that he wouldn't find insufferable, except: this city is a boring shithole made for tourists, and your kid is beautiful.
— David Yee (@tangentialism) September 3, 2018
Rest your gloriously cranky soul, Kenny Shopsin. You were a truly great New Yorker. https://t.co/ud25Ls94pG
— Kat Kinsman (@kittenwithawhip) September 3, 2018
I loved Kenny Shopsin. He/Eve fed me for free when I was broke. Like everyone, our friendship was based on profane barbs flung back & forth at each other. The magic of Bedford St has so many memories. I’ve more to say, but for now- #AllOurCooksWearCondoms #RIPkennyShopsin #EatMe
— Lizz “Pecker Watcher " Winstead (@lizzwinstead) September 3, 2018
kenny shopsin cursed me out once because i made the mistake of complimenting one of his menu items. RIP to a legend https://t.co/sBw0SvSgL7
— Jack Hamilton (@jack_hamilton) September 3, 2018
