A (literal) visit with Anne DeVita

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.

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. 

Some things change. Miss Anne, thankfully, not so much.

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."