Ypsilanti business owner Sam Mashni dies at 49
Sami Mashni, owner of Ypsilanti’s Prospect Party Store, died from a heart attack on Monday evening. He was 49.
Mashni, known by friends and customers as "Sam,'' was a widely respected and appreciated member of the Prospect Park neighborhood. Mashni took over the store from a family member around six years ago and immediately became a part of the community.
Julie Heintz, who has lived in Prospect Park for 10 years, recalled the first time she visited the store after Mashni bought it. She said he immediately introduced himself, asked her name, asked where she lived and took the time to get to know her.
Mashni regularly kept his dog with him in the store and created a friendly atmosphere that was unique for a small corner store, Heintz said.
Residents and neighborhood kids posted notes for Sam on the store's doors on Thursday.
Tom Perkins | For AnnArbor.com
“He got to know everyone in our neighborhood, he always remembered the people who came in, he was just such a part of the community,” she said. “He just seemed so genuine and caring, and that’s something that you don’t see all the time in your local stores.
“I could go to any grocery store and pick up beer and milk, but I made a point to always frequent his store and to support his business because he was so friendly. I think a lot of people in my neighborhood did that as well.”
Guy Downs, an economics professor at Eastern Michigan University, lives across the street from Prospect Party Store. Downs said he and Mashni would discuss the economics of the beer and liquor industry and described Mashni as an interesting and intelligent person.
Downs also said Mashni was hard-working and discussed plans to expand and make improvements to the store.
“He was one of these guys who had a lot of ambition for his business,” Downs said. “You could tell he really cared for the store and wanted to see it succeed, which is one of the reasons some of us in the neighborhood were just really struck by his passing.”
Downs attended a memorial service for Mashni in Livonia on Thursday morning and said some 30 people from the neighborhood also went to pay their respects.
“For people who only know someone as the proprietor of a party store to drive to Six Mile and Merriman for the service tells you something about his impact on the neighborhood and how people felt about him,” he said.
On Thursday afternoon, Malcolm Muscato delivered mail to the store. Prospect Party Store wasn’t on his normal route, but Muscato said he always picked it up when it was open specifically so he could talk to Mashni at the end of the day. Now, he isn’t sure if he’s going to continue picking up the route.
“This isn’t my normal route, but a lot of the reason I take it is just because I like coming in and talking to Sam. He was a good guy, good to talk with.”
Muscato described Mashni as a generous person “who would give the shirt off his back,” but added that he was modest and didn’t want people to know about his good deeds.
Dana Lail, who said she was Mashni’s high school sweetheart while they grew up together in Lexington, KY, posted a note on a makeshift memorial on the store’s doors. She had reconnected with Mashni and called him a hard-working and generous man who regularly helped his family members and was loved by everyone. ‘He was so special, so kind — this just breaks my heart,” she said.
Comments
TomCat
Fri, Sep 23, 2011 : 11:25 p.m.
I just stopped in this evening to say hi to Sam and his nephew was running the store and told me the VERY SAD news. I miss you Sam! I will miss petting your dog! Sam was one nice son of a gun.... TomCat - WinTheLotto.net
Leah
Sat, Aug 20, 2011 : 2:48 p.m.
I am in shock. Struggling. Sam's kindness and generosity knew no end. To lose such a good man at such a young age is beyond tragic. My heart goes out to his family and to all of those who knew him. Kevin, who worked at the store with him, is such a great kid. And Jimmy...his good-natured lab. We will all miss you, Sam. You were loved. You are loved.
Karen Gripp
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 11:52 p.m.
Goodbye Shrek....love you.
Bobby Garrott
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 7:40 p.m.
I lived across the street from Prospect Part store for 2.5 years. Sam did his best to keep the Riff Raff away by adjusting his hours. Whenever you wanted a beer, he'd have it in in a couple of days. He was always game to talk about the neighborhood, or sporting events. he was a great man, and I'd often come visit him when i was on that side of town even after I moved. He will be missed. He was truly one of the good guys.
Pocket Beaver
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 2:06 p.m.
Sam and his store were one of the things that made our neighborhood great. He was a really cool guy and will be missed. My condolences to his family.
help_is_on_the_way
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 1:57 p.m.
Sad news for our community. RIP Sam.
Five Red Hens
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 1:50 p.m.
This is really sad. My fiance and I nicknamed him Uncle Slim-Jim because every time we took our dog there (and he was always welcome) Sam would let him put his paws on the counter and give him one. He was good guy.
Grand Marquis de Sade
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 1:29 p.m.
This is very sad. Sam was a great guy and will definitely be missed in the neighborhood.
naturally
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 12:20 p.m.
I'm going to miss Sam and his dog too. I remember when Sam first purchased the store, he told me to let him know what type of beer I liked so that he would make sure that he had it in the store. Sam was a very friendly and nice man and he had a very sweet dog. This store is what a neighborhood store should be.
Patty Bradley
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 11:56 a.m.
Wow, this is terrible news. I always so enjoyed talking to Sam. I wish I had known about this sooner, I would have gone to Livonia for the memorial service. Rest well Sam. We'll miss you!
EatKeyLimePie
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 11:20 a.m.
Whenever I visited his store I always referred to it as "I'm going to see Sam" instead of I am going to the store. Sam you will be missed! I will miss our conversations and I always appreciated your commitment to the community.
regurgitating_heart
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 5:07 a.m.
This is such a shock to me. Sam was such a down to earth guy; we talked about our teenagers. He was so kind. Someone please take good care of Jimmy for him...or if Jimmy needs a home, I'll take him.
Barbara Duff
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 4:52 a.m.
i just wondered who will take care of the sweet dog he had
regurgitating_heart
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 5:05 a.m.
Jimmy...that's the dogs name. He always knew my voice and would come out and greet me. I'll miss Sam and Jimmy. If Jimmy doesn't have a home, I'd be happy to take him in. He's sweet...just like his master was. Bless Sam's heart...
ypsilanti
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 3:15 a.m.
What terrible news. I will miss him, he was a wonderful guy.
whatsupwithMI
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 3:01 a.m.
We are going to miss Sam very much. He was one of those people who make a difference. That many people feel that way from simply visiting his store- to me that speaks volumes.
Dan
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 1:33 a.m.
I am sad to hear this news today. Sam was a good man. A great loss to our community.
Roadman
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 1:07 a.m.
I have known the Mashni family for over 20 years. One of Sam's relatives, Samir Mashni, was the longtime chairman of the Wayne County Mental Health Board before getting an appointment to a state mental health agency by Governor Granholm. Sam and his family are originally from Ramallah, Palestine in the West Bank. .
Meredith Schindler
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 12:47 a.m.
Sam was such a great guy. This is very sad news.
Adam
Fri, Aug 19, 2011 : 12:23 a.m.
Very sad. Even though I only had a few short conversations with him, he remembered me and left a lasting impression with his kindness and warm heart. Rest in peace Sam.