Stella Soltowska, a fixture at Ray’s Candy Store since 1977, has died

Reporting by Stacie Joy

Photos from 2024 by Stacie Joy

Stella Soltowska, a regular presence at Ray's Candy Store on Avenue A for nearly 50 years, passed away over the holidays. She was 80. 

Sources say she suffered a heart attack at her home in Queens. 

Stella, a longtime friend of owner Ray Alvarez, had been with Ray's Candy Store since 1977.

This afternoon, the 24/7 Ray's was closed during what was traditionally Stella's shift. 

We're told that Ray is in shock over Stella's passing. 

She will be missed by generations of East Village residents, past and present, and by all those who made Ray's a neighborhood favorite over the years.

On a personal note, I will miss Stella's sweet yet steely disposition — and the way she always tried to ply me with a soft serve or an egg cream. I'll miss how she took care of Ray, making sure his meds were in order and that he ate his dinner.

It's heartbreaking to know I won't see her on my endless trips by Ray's — waving through the to-go window or smiling from behind the counter, always with style and panache, her signature blue rinse and sweater sets firmly in place.

We'll share more information as it becomes available.

Photo of Ray and Stella in 1975 via Peter Brownscombe