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By Domenic Strazzabosco

A year and a half after undergoing emergency brain surgery, Aklilu “Abe” Abraham — the owner of King of the Hill Market on E Olive Way — is back on the job and endlessly thankful for the neighborhood’s emotional and financial support throughout his surgery and recovery.

In many ways, it feels like he can’t show his appreciation to the people and businesses around him enough.

“I’m really thankful to be around the Hill. And I didn’t know until I was sick,” Abraham, who is often referred to as “The King,” said.

In September 2023, Abraham became ill and was rushed to the hospital, where a CAT scan revealed that he had bleeding in his skull that was putting pressure on his brain. A week after he had surgery, a fundraiser was launched to raise money to help pay for the excessive medical bills he was set to accrue. It was largely supported by repeat customers, neighbors, and former residents of Capitol Hill. Over $30,000 was raised.

Aside from donations, the comments on the fundraiser revealed just how beloved The King was to the neighborhood’s residents. They go something like this: “The neighborhood isn’t the same without you;” “Abe is the true king of the hill. He always makes everyone’s day;” and “Abe is such an important part of our community. Sending our best to him and to his family.”

Looking back, he describes the store, customers and neighborhood like a piece of gold he didn’t realize he had.

Of course, he enjoyed the day-to-day interactions — hearing about people’s breakups, talking politics and getting people their go-to snacks and drinks — but it was only when something really bad happened that he realized how much of a genuine support system he’d built in the two decades since opening the market.

“My kids, they were surprised, ‘We didn’t know all these people loved you,’” Abraham said, referring to when his daughters stepped in to help keep the store open while he couldn’t work and they would get repeatedly asked about their father. “I didn’t know either. But it’s not an in-and-out store. We become friends, we become family.”

But aside from the GoFundMe, there were traces that showed just how loved Abraham is. Take the plastic crown that sits next to the register that a customer gave him or the mural of him wearing a crown that appeared during COVID on the building’s exterior. To this day, Abraham doesn’t know who painted it.

While he was unable to work, his children and friends stepped in, trying to keep the store operating and open as much as possible, but, of course, business still suffered. Now that he’s back, Abraham is determined to keep serving the community the way he always has.

“Even though I’m not able to do 16 hours like I used to do, still I’m gonna fight. You know, I’m not gonna shut down the store while I’m walking, while I’m talking. That’s my motive. I wanna show my friends, ‘Hey, I’m here.’”

Besides trying to get King of the Hill Market back to operating how it was before his surgery, Abraham tries to say thank you to as many friends, customers and neighbors as he can. He likes to stop by surrounding restaurants and bars after he closes up and says he’s regularly greeted with exclamations like “Ay, The King is here!”

From inquiries about how he was doing to cards, flowers, phone calls and emails of support, he found the neighborhood’s response overwhelming and wants to do what he can to say thank you.

“Even while I was recovering, I came here because I wanted to see the people. I’m gonna show them I’m okay, I will be okay. It’s really a wonderful community.”

King of the Hill market is located at 1705 E Olive Way.

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