Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
Food
Meet Ray Of Ray's Candy Store, An East Village Institution
By
Nell Casey
Published Dec 20, 2016
Modified Dec 20, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
By
Nell Casey
Published Dec 20, 2016
Modified Dec 20, 2016
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Video by Jessica Leibowitz
While the majority of the city sleeps, Ray Alvarez deep fries Oreos, slathers chili and cheese on hot dogs, and keeps the coffee pot full at his eponymous shop on Avenue A. Since 1974, Alvarez and Ray's Candy Store have kept the East Village well fed at all hours of the night and day, from the street punks and bohemians through to NYU kids and tourists who populate much of the area around Tompkins Square Park. For all these years, Alvarez has kept a close watch from behind his counter or from his apartment above the shop, barely missing a shift in 43 years.
The recent years have been more tumultuous for Alvarez and his beloved shop. The cafe's been the subject of closure rumors on and off for nearly the past decade, but Alvarez and the shop have thrived, even when Alvarez himself, who is 83—[Ed. Note: Alvarez misspeaks in the video, and after all those years, who can blame him?]—was laid up following heart valve surgery last year. In Alvarez's mind, there's no such thing as downtime.
The octogenarian will celebrate his 84th birthday in January, no doubt with the bevy of burlesque performers dancing on the counter. Though long past the traditional age of retirement, Alvarez continues to serve the community, nourishing it with a friendly attitude and a hot plate of onion rings any time the craving hits.
Ray's Candy Store is located at 113 Avenue A; website
Tagged
gothamist films
Ray Alvarez
ray's candy store
original
Nell Casey
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE food
North African restaurants are rare in NYC. These 10 are the best.
Egyptian, Moroccan, Algerian and Tunisian food is delicious but underrepresented in the city.
By
Robert Sietsema
Published Oct 10, 2026
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Food
10 dishes that demonstrate the delicious diversity of curry in New York City
The global dish is shapeshifting and ubiquitous.
By
Robert Sietsema
Frozen yogurt is back in New York City. So are the super long lines.
By
Sonia Rao
5 NYC banana puddings as good as Magnolia's
By
Hannah Frishberg
Where to eat in Greenpoint, Brooklyn right now, from Polish to Sichuan to Iberian
By
Robert Sietsema
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .