A visit with Anne DeVita

Photos and story by Stacie Joy

For over 40 years, Anne DeVita served as manager of the First Avenue Laundry Center.

She presided over the day-to-day activities into her late 80s until the business closed for good in late 2022. (The owners first billed this as a renovation, but the three-building assemblage on the NW corner of First Avenue at Second Street was later predictably demolished to make way for luxury housing.) 

DeVita has been recovering from some recent health issues. 

Last week, her longtime friend and neighbor, Scooter LaForge, and I visited DeVita at her current home.

Unable to score the demanded requested McDonald's filet-o-fish and strawberry shake, LaForge instead brought DeVita a well-received pizza and chocolates as an early b-day treat. (She turns 92 this year.)

DeVita hopes to be able to return to her East Village apartment one of these days. She also thanked everyone for all the good wishes.

As we've noted, DeVita grew up in the neighborhood. Before entering the laundry business, she worked as a barmaid at the long-gone Club 17 on Avenue D and Third Street and a bar on 14th Street that she described as having an upstairs neighbor featuring "girls for sale for a dollar."