Entrepreneur Solomon Choi, known for founding New York City’s first self-serve frozen yogurt shop 16 Handles, has died at the age of 44.
Choi, a resident of Manhasset, Long Island, passed away on June 7, according to an online obituary. No cause of death was provided.
The businessman had previously sold his frozen yogurt company during the pandemic in 2022, according to an old Instagram post.
Following the news of his death, current 16 Handles owner and CEO Neil Hershman shared a statement with People Magazine.
“We are deeply saddened by the unexpected passing of 16 Handles’ founder and former CEO Solomon Choi. He was a visionary who came to New York City in his 20s and founded this iconic frozen dessert brand,” Hershman wrote.
He added that Solomon embodied the mission of 16 Handles to “create moments of happiness,” and that he remembers the late founder always having a big smile and an optimistic mindset.
Born in Seoul, South Korea, in 1980, Choi graduated from the University of Southern California Marshall School of Business in 2002 with a B.S. in Business Administration, before launching a career in entrepreneurship.
He moved to New York City in 2008 and went on to start two companies: 16 Handles and Greeno Products, which sells custom disposables for the food service industry.
He’s currently listed as the CEO of Jabba Brands, a consulting company that deals in food service, CPG, and restaurant technology.
Choi is survived by his wife, Hannah Chang-Choi, whom he met at a 16 Handles on the Upper West Side in 2015, according to his obituary. The two got engaged just 85 days later and shared two children — Jubilee, 7, and Joshua, 4.
“Solomon will be remembered for his relentless optimism, his discipline and fearlessness, and his Michael Jackson dance moves,” the obituary said. “Most importantly, he was committed to loving his wife and children to the best of his ability and will be remembered as the world’s best husband and daddy.”
