The human character who owned Hooper's Store on Sesame Street was Mr. Hooper.
Mr. Harold Hooper was portrayed by actor Will Lee and appeared from the show's premiere in 1969 until the character's final appearances in 1983. Hooper's Store was a neighborhood general store, diner, and meeting place where human residents and Muppets regularly interacted.
Mr. Hooper was known for being slightly gruff but kindhearted. He had a particularly close relationship with Big Bird, who often visited the store for conversation and a birdseed milkshake. A recurring joke was Big Bird's difficulty pronouncing Hooper's name, sometimes calling him “Cooper” or “Looper.”
After Will Lee died in 1982, Sesame Street made the unusual decision to have Mr. Hooper die as well. The landmark 1983 episode “Farewell, Mr. Hooper” helped young viewers understand death and grief. Later characters, including David, Mr. Handford, and Alan, managed the store, but Mr. Hooper remained its original and most famous owner.