Photos and story by Stacie Joy
East Village-based artist Scooter LaForge and I stopped by to see Anne DeVita for her birthday — she turned 92 last week.
For more than 40 years, Anne, who was born and raised in the neighborhood, served as manager of the First Avenue Laundry Center, presiding over the day-to-day operations until the business closed for good in late 2022, into her late 80s.
As is tradition, Miss Anne had some strong opinions about what we should have brought: pork skins and tank tops (not the candy she usually requests). She also weighed in on the new Metro Acres Market that replaced her beloved Rite Aid."It's OK, I guess."
And she's keeping tabs on the building rising on the former laundromat on First Avenue and Second Street, where she worked for decades: "Still under construction."
Last year, she asked for a McDonald's Filet-O-Fish and a strawberry milkshake, so pork skins and tank tops aren't exactly a stretch.
Some things change. Miss Anne, thankfully, not so much.
She and Scooter chatted gossiped about all her friends in the East Village and got caught up on each other's lives. Despite recovering from another surgery, Anne's optimistic she'll be able to return to her East Village apartment at some point.
4 comments:
Anne did my laundry just about every week for fifteen years, glad to see that she is well!
Hi Anne nice to see you Carol
I remember doing my laundry at her store years ago, wondered what happened to her. Glad to see she is still with us and sharp!
We miss you Annie! You were always so kind and lovely to me and my dog 💕 Wishing you a speedy recovery.
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