Monday, May 16, 2011

DOH shutters Ray's Candy Store

Terrible news via EV Grieve contributor Dave on 7th... The DOH paid a visit to the venerable Ray's Candy Store on Avenue A this morning ...


Per Dave, the DOH has shuttered Ray's for the time being... We'll have more soon...


The latest inspection hasn't been posted yet. The last inspection was Nov. 10, where Ray's received 15 points, including for "Effective hair restraint not worn in an area where food is prepared."

30 comments:

JAZ said...

Anyone still needing confirmation of the heartless nature of city beurocracy, and desperate march towards removal of any and all neighborhood identity whatsoever, just got what they were looking for.

Ken from Ken's Kitchen said...

C'mon Ray, get with it! Get an effective hair restraint pour hommes, courtesy of Mayor Mike!

Marty Wombacher said...

This sucks! Ray's is always spotless, DOH should stay where it belongs, in Homer Simpson's mouth.

Anonymous said...

Health codes exist for a reason. The dept of health doesn't really have a dog in the hunt when it comes to neighborhood identity. They'll shutter any place that has enough violations. Let's hope they can clean their act up get a re-inspection ASAP.

Dave on 7th said...

as I told the inspector, "I hope you gave an A for super human effort."

Shawn said...

DOH closes everything, including the Waldorf.

Sucks it has to happen to the little guy, but Ray will bounce right back. Not a single person would NOT go to Ray's who goes there anyway because of some DOH procedural.

Come back soon Ray buddy, I'm wearing my Save Ray's t-shirt right now!

Dave on 7th said...

they made McSorelys dust the chicken bones left by doughboys leaving for front in 1919, for God's sake.
Go get a milkshake before the man catches on.

Anonymous said...

I know that Ray has been making an effort to manage the new rating system. Cleaning Cleaning Cleaning
glad to read those who think he will bounce back...
one never knows where the push is coming from to close down an individuals business. I try to realize myself as an inspector and know I couldn't do the job.
I couldn't tell someone that they have to lock the door under threat of sheriffs appearance.
This city is infested with vermin such that essentially the walls are held up with their remains. Corpses, sh-t, dander, what have you. Plus those alive and squirming.
And Ray is offed by the lack of a hairnet.
Don't crack the wall open inspector. You'll start to cry.
Inspectors are signing off on hypocrisy.
Someone needs to get the blockade up.
Ray's is the center of the target.

Melanie said...

I have been a customer of Ray's since 1982. I have never experienced even a stomach ache from anything I have ever eaten or drank there. Hair Nets seem to be a necessity these days. I used to wonder back in the day why my Grandma wore one and why. I used to play with them. I saw Ray yesterday and he looked well. It is about fines and violations to fill the City coffers. Maybe this will bring back "hair net" fashion.

Melanie said...

Knitters Out There--can you come with with a lovely design to replace those worn out looking hair nets with maybe a "Hair Style Net" which might cover both bases??Then Ray's can sell this item as well and we can all walk around with the new "street" fashion everyone talks about 2-5 years later and will be sold at places like Varvaratos for 2k-or whatever.Sounds like a plan.

Jeremy said...

Guys - please read the post. Ray's was not shuttered due to lack of hairnets. It was just one of the items from a November inspection that they were flagged for.

Laura Goggin Photography said...

@Melanie - I like that idea!

~evilsugar25 said...

by the way, i just walked by, and while the 'closed' sign is on the door, there were three people inside on the customer-side of the counter, eating ice cream cones. so.

Anonymous said...

from gothamist -

"the city Health Department, which has ordered him to close down after racking up 53 violation points on an inspection this morning. A spokesperson for the Health Department tells us Ray's was ordered closed for unsanitary conditions, including extensive mice infestation."

Extensive mice infestation isn't a hairnet, guys. It's actually pretty difficult to get 53 points, even with mice and bugs.

EV Grieve said...

@anon 4:18

Coyote Ugly got 90 points back in February when they were shut down.

Lisa said...

I have yet to get a mouse in any of the splendiferous egg creams or malteds I get from Ray and his crew, so who the hell cares?

Melanie said...

@Goggla--thanks. We love Ray's.

blue glass said...

the health department does need the money folks. i mean, there's a fine for not having the proper no dogs sign, one for having the wrong wording on the employees must wash their hands... sign. they will close you down if you've corrected all the violations but did not get permission to reopen, and of course there's another fine.

i'm all for having clean establishments and we all know how few and far between those are.

however, there are some violations that would turn your stomach if you read them. hopefully none of those are in ray's report.

Anonymous said...

It will be a great day in NYC when this filthy dive is closed and demolished. What a disgusting pit!

Crazy Eddie said...

@Anonymous 5.15-“What a disgusting pit!” That’s what they said about your mother but she kept on working anyway.

Marty Wombacher said...

@Crazy Eddie: Great comeback to that Anonymous asshead!

Anonymous said...

It is very hard to get to the point where the DOH will actually shut you down . YOU GET 3 CHANCES TO FIX YOUR MISTAKES !!! They will not shut you down unless they feel that you are putting the public health at risk period. There is only one side to be on here folks.

Eden Bee said...

Holy Crap. I was there last night. The back of the store was a bit messy but not so bad..I have a bad feeling about this..

Lisa said...

@Anon 10:34 - You are correct. But the side to be on is that of the guy who has the balls to put his name on his store for all the world to see, instead of the one who hides behind a faceless tag to insult an old man who works hard every single day in an attempt to stay afloat, who maybe doesn't have the cleanest establishment but has a kindness and decency you lack. I'd rather take my chances at Ray's, a true neighborhood place, than the myriad upscale, pristine, soulless establishments that have no connection to the EV except to treat it as a cash cow.

Marty Wombacher said...

@Anonymous 10:34 PM: "There is only one side to be on here folks."

And that's Ray's side! I wonder how many of our home kitchens would pass DOH code? Also, you used three exclamation points in a row. One is enough, the department of EVGC (EV Grieve Comments) should shut you down. I bet you were a hall monitor in high school.

Anonymous said...

This sounds like a set-up maybe with the ice creame wars of last summer The heat is on sounds like a calling for all Ray heads to act on this and give a hand maybe Mr. Penley and the Zippies will lend a hour or so

Anonymous said...

You guys are out of your minds and know little , if anything , about what you speak. Cleanliness takes a back seat here when we are talking about getting closed down. Critical violations , the ones that will get you shut down, have to do with putting the public health at risk. These are very rarely perceived by the average customer. Example: store meat, eggs, or dairy under 41 degrees and you can put people in the hospital with all sorts of food born illnesses. Use gloves when you handle food. Where a hat, etc . THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH ANYTHING ELSE. There is no conspiracy here and I am surprised people aren't more upset . You should be taking this personally as the guy has basically said ' My pocket is more important than your well being !!!' And yes, that deserves THREE exclamation points. How dare he re-open after they shut him down. That's insane.

Marty Wombacher said...

@Anonymous 10:13 AM: Nothing deserves three exclamation points.

"Where a hat, etc."

I'm guessing your last name isn't Einstein.

Lisa said...

@Marty - Yet another priceless put-down.

Anonymous said...

You can dish out all the put downs you please. The bottom line is, there's a double standard here. This guy Ray was making fries without a fire dept approved hood and ansil system for years . When he was fined told to stop, he ignored the request and kept right on doing as he pleased. HIS POCKET WAS MORE IMPORTANT THAN THE SAFETY OF THE PEOPLE LIVING IN THE BUILDING!!! Can anyone say 'grease fire?' Does anyone get how incredibly dangerous that was . It shows utter lack of respect and disregard for the people who live here . If a landlord ever put his pocket ahead of the safety of his tenants he'd be strung up and hung.