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Ray's Candy Store, Ave A Institution, Threatened with Closure
By
John Del Signore
Published Jan 7, 2010
Modified Jan 7, 2010
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By
John Del Signore
Published Jan 7, 2010
Modified Jan 7, 2010
Share
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For over three decades, Ray's Candy Store [MySpace], the burger, shake, etc. joint, has occupied a hole-in-the-wall on Avenue A across the street from Tompkins Square Park. As you may recall, the past year has been extremely tough on elderly owner Ray Alvarez, who's got health problems, has fallen behind on his rent, and had to deal with Muslim fundamentalists shaking him down for free coffee. Today Neither More Nor Less reports that one of the last vestiges of the old Alphabet City is on the verge of closing.
"According to Ray at 10PM tonight the managing agent of his building—accompanied by her bodyguard—informed him that he has until Friday to pay the 2 months rent that he owes," writes Bob Arihood. "The agent noted that the next time she comes to the store she will have a chain and padlocks to close the store."
One commenter wonders, "Where's George Bailey when you need him?" But if you'll recall, it was the concerned citizens of Bedford Falls who saved George Bailey. Where are all the anti-wine bar protesters now to save Ray from the yuppie scum? This town needs Ray's hole-in-the-wall institution if only to have one place where people can go without crawling to Potter!
Tagged
alphabet city
closing
east village
ray's candy store
John Del Signore
Originally from the Albany area, John Del Signore has called NYC home since 1995. In addition to his thousands of meticulously-crafted bespoke blog posts for Gothamist, his writing has also been published in The Awl, Deadspin, The Nervous Breakdown, and performed at The Brick Theater in Brooklyn.
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