Golden Krust celebrated National Jamaican Patty Day on Saturday, its first following the loss of its founder.

The Caribbean food chain's story began nearly 30 years ago, in August of 1989. It started as just one restaurant in the Bronx and has since expanded across the nation. On Saturday, the company's success was celebrated at an annual block party at the original restaurant on Gun Hill Road.

It was its first party without Lowell Hawthorne, who founded the chain. He was discovered dead inside his factory in December of 2017 with an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Hawthorne's sons were presented with a proclamation Saturday, honoring their work in the community.

"My father was a very good businessman and he gave a lot of opportunity for people to be successful entrepreneurs and give back to their communities," says Hawthorne's son, Omar Hawthorne.

Saturday's event included Jamaican patties for the community and an appearance by Jamaican musician Sean Kingston.