Burlesque birthday for Ray’s Candy owner
BY BOB KRASNER
Ten years ago, Ray Alvarez’s business
was facing eviction from the
tiny spot that is Ray’s Candy Store,
a fixture on Avenue A since 1974. Thanks
to the great support of the neighborhood,
fund raising efforts ensured that Ray’s shop
is still serving egg creams and deep fried
Oreos, with Alvarez at the helm.
Matt Rosen, who’s known Ray for over
20 years, has been organizing a burlesque
birthday bash for him since 2007. Acting
as MC, Rosen took a few moments to
inform the crowd of the highlights of
the last year. He noted that local artist
Leah Tinari created custom hand-painted
sneakers with a Ray’s Candy Store theme
that were sold in Bergdorf Goodman,
Kendall Jenner and Kim Kardashian made
a much publicized visit to the shop and
Men’s Health magazine featured the spot
in a “Cheat Day” video.
The shop was also featured on NBC
New York Live, Food Insider and NYU
News, as well as being the setting for a
one-act play by Rachel Carnes. Ray himself
showed up onstage at The Theatre for
The New City, holding a heart, as part of
a performance of a song from the late Michael
Shenker’s “The Squatter’s Opera.”
He was, said Rosen, “representing the fact
Ray Alvarez, center, with performers (L-R): Peekaboo Pointe , Stormy
Leather, Pearls Daily.
that Ray’s Candy Store is the heart of the
East Village.”
Although he also received a boost from
Facebook and the Manhattan Chamber of
Commerce with a free advertising campaign,
he had a setback as well. The birthday
party should have been in January, but
hernia surgery forced the performers to be
put on hold.
And so, on the ten year anniversary of
the benefit that raised the money needed
(PHOTOS BY BOB KRASNER)
to keep the shop in business, the neighborhood
showed up again to celebrate Ray’s
87th year.
Well-wishers were totally entertained by
purveyors of classic Burlesque – Gal Friday,
Peekaboo Pointe, Stormy Leather, Pearls
Daily and The Maine Attraction – who
bravely performed on a countertop that was
maybe a foot and a half wide for a crowd that
was eager to record every move.
Alvarez didn’t say much, except for a
brief thank you to everyone. He didn’t
have to, though, because he never stopped
smiling.
Follow on Instagram @rayscandystore
East Village activist and documentarian
Clayton Patterson
signs the birthday card.
Party organizer and longtime
friend Matt Rosen, left, Ray and
the birthday cake from Veneiro’s.
“I love this guy!” said Ray. Ray (left) enjoying The Maine Attraction, along with a number of photographers.
14 March 12, 2020 Schneps Media