Monday was a sad day for customers of the Manor Card Shoppe in Four Corners. Kenny, the friendly face behind the counter for almost two decades, the guy who seemed to know everyone’s name, had retired. 

“Kenny has been here 20 years,” said Linda Mann, a longtime friend and customer. “He has not taken one day off. He’s worked seven days a week. He makes the business.”

The Card Shoppe sells stationery, wrapping paper, tobacco, toys and greeting cards, but it’s best known for selling winning lottery tickets. Scores of official New York Lottery notices saying “We have a winner!” or “We sold a winner!” festoon the walls. From a $50,000 Powerball winner in 2022 to a pair of winning million-dollar tickets a decade earlier, it is a destination for dedicated lottery fans. 

And Kenny, whose full name is Kamlesh Patel, took care of his lottery customers. Not only did he know them by name, he also knew the numbers that his regulars played, according to Mann.  

“The customers feel the luck and the love here,” she said.

One of Kenny’s fans, Maureen Johnston, hung an oversized “Thank You” card outside the store last week, inviting Kenny’s loyal customers to write personal notes of gratitude. Next to the huge card, Johnson taped a small sign, inviting friends of Kenny to, “Help say goodbye.” Johnston offered cookies from Flour Power Bakery across the street to everyone who jotted down a note.  Kenny’s fans filled the huge card quickly with heartfelt messages.

The outpouring of support touched him. “I love Pelham, I’ve been here for 20 years,” Kenny said in an interview. “I have lots of customers, and they are all my friends. The kindness of the customers keeps me happy.”

There’s a temporary manager at the Shoppe, Mike, while the search for a permanent replacement continues.

As for Kenny, he’s moving on to the next stage of his life. He plans to visit his family in Gujarat, India, in the next few weeks before moving to Canada in August.