The 'Nut King of Chicago' Has Died

CHICAGO, IL - Herbert Kenney, known nationally as the “nut king of Chicago,” died on Monday. He was 90.

Kenney founded the Wrigleyville favorite gourmet popcorn shop “Nuts on Clark” more than three decades ago with his wife, Estelle. Ever since, the business has been one of the most recognizable in Chicago’s hottest North Side neighborhood and the favorite of several current and former Chicago Cubs ballplayers.

“He always ate nuts,” Estelle told the Chicago Sun-Times after her husband’s death. “He loved nuts. We had this extra space in the building, and he decided we should go into the nut business.”

Among the regulars at “Nuts on Clark” over the years include former Cubs greats Ryne Sandberg and Kerry Wood. The place has been a staple at 3830 N. Clark St. for more than 30 years.

Kenney, a longtime Cubs supporter, was a Chicagoan through and through. He played softball at Hollywood Park for year. Real softball, aka, “old-fashioned, Chicago 16-inch softball,” one of his son’s told the Sun-Times.

A service for Kenney is planned for Sunday at 12:15 p.m. at Shalom Memorial Funeral Home in Arlington Heights.