WASHINGTON — Armin Amin-Toomaji spent his time helping others.
“He has always supported anyone that needed stability, help with anything,” said Ari Wilder, co-owner of Chaplin’s Restaurant in D.C. “I have never met anyone quite like him. One in a billion.”
Wilder and other employees at Chaplin’s Restaurant mourn the loss of its co-owner Armin Amin-Toomaji after he was struck and killed by a car a block from his restaurant near Mount Vernon Square on Thursday.
Amin-Toomaji, who has worked in the restaurant business in D.C. for over 20 years, was walking a customer to her car early Thursday morning when he was hit by the driver of a red Mercedes-Benz convertible.
Wilder has known Amin-Toomaji for 15 years and described him as an actual brother. “We are family,” Wilder said.
As co-owners of Chaplin’s, they worked on various projects together. Wilder said Amin-Toomaji was in charge of the restaurant’s charity, community and special events.
Chris Kelly, manager of the Charlie Chaplin-themed bar restaurant on 9th and P streets NW, said fellow employees are in shock at the news of his boss’s death.
“It’s horrible,” said Kelly, who has known Amin-Toomaji for 12 years. “It leaves a big hole in the business.”
“We have no interest in forgetting Armin, he will be a part of every business we ever do because he is a part of all of us,” Wilder said.
Wilder said Amin-Toomaji’s family will receive all profits from his percentages of the restaurant’s projects.
