Friday's parting shot

Photo by Stacie Joy

On the Friday shift with Ray at Ray's Candy Store, 113 Avenue A...

Thursday's parting shots

Photos by Peter Brownscombe

Danny Cortes presented Ray with a miniature Ray's Candy Store today outside the shop at 113 Avenue A...

The miniature/diorama artist has also created versions of the Mars Bar and 57 Great Jones St.

Friday's parting shot

Major league: Seeking some comfort food at Ray's Candy Store, 113 Avenue A, late this afternoon...

DA: Man who attacked Ray outside Ray's Candy Store sentenced to 10 years in prison

Photo by Stacie Joy

Luis Peroza, arrested and charged for the late-night assault of Ray Alvarez outside Ray's Candy Store on Avenue A on Jan. 31, 2023, has been sentenced to 10 years in prison this afternoon, Manhattan D.A. Alvin L. Bragg, Jr. announced. 

Peroza, 40, was also charged with two other attacks in the East Village on that night. This past Dec. 14, Peroza pleaded guilty in a New York State Supreme Court to three counts of Assault in the First Degree. 

Here's more from Bragg's office: 

According to court documents and statements made on the record, on January 31, 2023, at approximately 3 a.m., Peroza approached the 90-year-old owner of Ray's Candy Store, who was standing outside of the store on Avenue A. Peroza asked if the owner would purchase canned drinks from him, but the owner declined. As admitted in the defendant's guilty plea, Peroza then struck him in the head with a hard object, breaking his jaw, fracturing his facial bones and giving him a black eye. 

Approximately half an hour later, Peroza demanded money from a 33-year-old man as he left a deli on Avenue C. The man said he did not have money and, as admitted in his guilty plea, Peroza struck him in the face with a hard object, breaking his orbital bone and causing a severe laceration to his face. 

Several hours later, Peroza approached a 51-year-old man on Avenue B and, as admitted in his guilty plea, repeatedly struck the man in the head with a hard object, lacerating his face and head, knocking out a tooth, and fracturing his facial bones.

EVG was the first media outlet to report on the assault. The story later made headlines in the U.S. (via CNN) and the UK. 

Following his arrest on Feb. 4, 2023, Peroza was described as "a career criminal," with 10 prior arrests dating to 2001 for robberies, assaults, criminal mischief and petit larceny, according to The Daily Mail. 

The Daily News reported that Peroza served five years in prison after he was convicted of an assault in the Bronx in 2003. A source told the News that the suspect is "next-level crazy."

Police also arrested Peroza's alleged accomplice, 55-year-old Gerald Barth. As previously reported, Barth's erratic behavior earned him the nickname "Insanity Claus" in Tompkins Square Park after he donned a discarded SantaCon suit. He was charged with first-degree assault and two counts each of first-degree robbery and first-degree attempted robbery. 

According to the DA's office, Barth was found unfit to stand trial. Last August, Barth was transferred from the Department of Corrections to the custody of the New York State Office of Mental Health. His case will move forward if/when he is found fit, per the DA's office. 

With reporting by Stacie Joy

H/T Steven

Previously on EV Grieve:

• A timeline of events after the assault outside Ray's Candy Store

2024 marks the 50th year in business for Ray's Candy Store

2024 photo by Peter Brownscombe 

At Ray's Candy Store, 2024 started with an anniversary as the shop officially turned 50. 

Ray Alvarez reportedly bought the shop at 113 Avenue A near Seventh Street in 1974 for $30,000. 

Also, this month, Ray celebrates his 91st birthday. (The day seems to be celebrated both on Jan. 1 and Jan. 25!)

So a happy anniversary and birthday to Ray!

Wednesday's parting calamari shots

Photos by Peter Brownscombe

Ray recently (re)introduced breaded calamari rings — served with fries, as the paper-plate signage notes...

Ray's Candy Store, 113 Avenue A near Seventh Street, yes.

At Ray's Candy Store, you can now pay for those beignets and deep-fried Oreos via Venmo

Photo by Peter Brownscombe 

There's a new era here at Ray's Candy Store ... customers can now use Venmo to pay for purchases at the 49-year-old shop at 113 Avenue A near Seventh Street...

Hitting a high note

 

"Little Stoner" is a new track from a recently released record by singer-songwriter Max Stalker-Wilde. 

The video, filmed on 16mm by Jonas Bishop Hayes, was shot around the East Village, where Stalker-Wilde was born and raised. And Ray's Candy Store, where Stalker-Wilde has worked for the past few years, has a starring role. 

"In fact, I had to make a couple of milkshakes and egg creams during the shooting just so I could get the foot traffic moving faster for production's sake," he told us. 

Check out more of Stalker-Wilde's music at Bandcamp.

Flag days: Ray's Candy Store repping the East Village with egg creams at Rockefeller Center

The egg cream from Ray's Candy Store on Avenue A is part of the 2023 edition of The Flag Project at Rockefeller Center ... celebrating iconic NYC food (and drinks!). 

The flags will be on view from April 3-12 (missed that) and April 17-30. You can read more about the flag project here. 

The flag features art created by Peach Tao — in conjunction with the East Village-based Lisa Project — in honor of Ray's 90th birthday. The mural was on the wall outside 50 Avenue A earlier this year...

Images via @rayscandystore

D.A. announces indictment in assault outside Ray's Candy Store

Manhattan D.A. Bragg yesterday announced the indictment of two men for an alleged assault and robbery spree in the East Village on Jan. 31, whose victims included Ray Alvarez, the 90-year-old owner of Ray's Candy Store at 113 Avenue A. 

Luis Peroza, 39, and Gerald Barth, 55, were charged in a New York State Supreme Court indictment (see below for specific charges). 

Said Bragg in a statement: "Ray's Candy Store is a beloved staple in the East Village community, and the attack on its owner is deeply upsetting to everyone who has ever visited this local institution. In addition to this alleged assault, these defendants are also charged with attacking two other strangers on the street within mere hours." 

As we first reported, Ray and his employee Gabe Thorne were attacked outside Ray's Candy Store around 3 a.m. on Jan. 31 when the pair went outside for some fresh air. A man, who police later identified as Peroza, struck Ray with a belt with a rock attached, causing a black eye and gash on Ray's temple. Gabe was hit across the chest. 

The suspect threatened to kill Ray, per the police report. All this apparently happened because Ray and Gabe declined an offer to buy seltzer water from Peroza and his accomplice, later named as Barth. 

According to the NYPD and media reports, after the assault at Ray's, Peroza and Barth showed up outside a deli on Avenue C, where they allegedly attacked a second victim. Per the Post: 

They blocked their second victim's path and demanded, "Give me your money!" authorities said. 

That's when Peroza hit the victim with "an unknown object, causing a deep, bleeding laceration" to his head and "a broken orbital bone, and substantial pain," according to the complaint filed by Manhattan prosecutors ... 

Later on Jan. 31, Barth allegedly struck a 51-year-old in the head on Avenue B with an unknown object after the man declined his request for a cigarette. Barth reportedly then left with the victim's smartphone. The victim suffered several fractured facial bones and had a tooth knocked out.

This EVG post has a timeline of the events leading up to the suspects' arrest. 

Both defendants remain in custody at Rikers. Peroza is due back in court on May 10; Barth on March 6, according to public records.

Luis Peroza, charged: 

• Assault in the First Degree, a class B felony, three counts 
• Robbery in the First Degree, a class B felony, two counts 
• Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, a class C felony, two counts 
• Robbery in the Second Degree, a class C felony, one count 
• Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree, a class D felony, one count
• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, one count 

Gerald Barth, charged: 

• Assault in the First Degree, a class B felony, three counts 
• Robbery in the First Degree, a class B felony, two counts 
• Attempted Robbery in the First Degree, a class C felony, two counts 
• Robbery in the Second Degree, a class C felony, one count 
• Attempted Robbery in the Second Degree, a class D felony, one count 
• Assault in the Second Degree, a class D felony, one count

Suspects accused of assault outside Ray's Candy Store remain in jail

This past week, the two suspects who police arrested in connection to the assault outside Ray's Candy Store, 113 Avenue A, on Jan. 31 had court appearances. 

Luis Peroza, who allegedly struck owner Ray Alvarez and employee Gabe Thorne with a belt with a rock attached, remains at Riker's. His next court appearance is scheduled for March 2.

Peroza, who previously served five years in prison for assault, was charged with first- and second-degree assault, two counts of first-degree robbery, and two counts of first-degree attempted robbery.

His alleged accomplice, Gerald Barth, also remains at Riker's. His next court date is March 1.

Barth was charged with first-degree assault and two counts each of first-degree robbery and first-degree attempted robbery. 

This post has more details on what has happened to date.

Meanwhile, yesterday, the social media accounts — on Twitter and Instagram — for Ray's Candy Store addressed the assault for the first time, thanking everyone for their support in the past two weeks... with shout-outs to media outlets for their coverage ...

“Ray, do you want to post about it?”

“No, no. I don’t want to put anything negative out there. Only positive.”

So, here’s one of our favorite photos of Ray.

Thank you to EVERYONE who has stopped into @RaysCandyStore to check on him. pic.twitter.com/XnRvSUD6jO

— Ray's Candy Store (@RaysCandyStore) February 12, 2023

Saturday's parting shot

Photo by N&Lon7th 

The Guardian Angels today presented Ray with an award of friendship outside Ray's Candy Store at 113 Avenue A... more details via the Daily News.

Cake and soup at Ray's Candy Store

Photos by Lola Sáenz 

A lot of smiles today at Ray's Candy Store as Stella celebrated a birthday with the help of her sister, Mary. 

Stella started working for Ray in 1977 — three years after the shop opened in 1974. 

Meanwhile, Ray continues on the mend after the assault outside the shop early on Jan. 31. 

With a dislocated jaw, Ray is on a liquid diet. Stella has been making him homemade soup, which she brings into the shop to blend for her longtime friend and boss...

A timeline of events after the assault outside Ray's Candy Store

We're recapping what has happened to date since the assault early in the morning on Jan. 31 outside Ray's Candy Store, 113 Avenue A.

EVG was the first media outlet to report on the assault, and since then, the story has made headlines in the U.S. (via CNN) and the UK. Some of the following details have been linked to or reported on in previous posts... putting it all in one place here:

• Tuesday, Jan. 31

Ray Alvarez and his employee Gabe Thorne were attacked outside Ray's Candy Store around 3 a.m. when the pair went outside for some fresh air. A man, who police later identified as Luis Peroza, struck Ray with a belt with a rock attached, causing a black eye and gash on Ray’s temple. Gabe was hit across the chest. 

The suspect threatened to kill Ray, per the police report. All this apparently happened because Ray and Gabe declined an offer to buy seltzer water from Peroza and his accomplice. 

• Wednesday, Feb. 1 

Around 8:30 p.m., Ray officially filed a police report. Officers from the 9th Precinct visited the shop. Police checked out local security cameras and later released a surveillance image of the suspect. 

Sometime that night, police arrested Peroza's alleged accomplice, 55-year-old Gerald Barth, though this news wasn't released until Feb. 5. 

• Thursday, Feb. 2 

Ray initially declined to seek any medical treatment and continued to work as he has here since opening in 1974. 

On this night, a nurse finally convinced Ray to go to Beth Israel, where a CT scan revealed three broken bones in his face and a dislocated jaw. The doctor put Ray on antibiotics and told him to rest. 

• Saturday, Feb. 4 

Police announced that they arrested Peroza, later described as "a career criminal," with 10 prior arrests dating to 2001 for robberies, assaults, criminal mischief and petit larceny, according to The Daily Mail. 

The Daily News reported that Peroza served five years in prison after he was convicted for an assault in the Bronx in 2003. A source told the News that the suspect is "next-level crazy."

• Sunday, Feb. 5 

Peroza appeared before a judge at Manhattan Criminal Court, The Daily Mail reported. 

Luis Peroza, 39, covered his face with a mask and looked glum ... 

He spoke to confirm his name and told the hearing that he was homeless and lives in a shelter on the east side of Manhattan. 

According to the NYPD and media reports, after the assault at Ray's, Peroza and Barth showed up outside a deli on Avenue C, where they allegedly attacked a second victim. Per the Post: 

They blocked their second victim's path and demanded, "Give me your money!" authorities said. 

That's when Peroza hit the victim with "an unknown object, causing a deep, bleeding laceration" to his head and "a broken orbital bone, and substantial pain," according to the complaint filed by Manhattan prosecutors Saturday. 

What's next 

Peroza was charged with first- and second-degree assault, two counts of first-degree robbery, and two counts of first-degree attempted robbery. 

During the hearing, his bail was set at $200,000, and he was given the alternative of a $250,000 bond. Peroza remains in the Eric M. Taylor Center at Rikers until his next hearing on Thursday.

Barth, whose erratic past behavior earned him the nickname "Insanity Claus" in Tompkins Square Park after donning a discarded SantaCon suit, was charged with first-degree assault and two counts each of first-degree robbery and first-degree attempted robbery. 

Prosecutors ordered him held on $3,000 cash or a $5,000 bond. He's currently at the Eric M. Taylor Center and is scheduled to appear in court today.

According to the Post: "Barth allegedly pointed a finger at Peroza as the muscle in the unhinged incidents..." 

Updated 2/8: Barth remains in custody. His next court date is now set for March 1.

Yesterday, Ray said he wasn't feeling well and, accompanied by a nurse, went to see another doctor.

Reposting: A GoFundMe campaign launched ahead of Ray's 90th birthday at Ray's Candy Store

In the aftermath of the assault on Ray last week outside Ray's Candy Store (story here and here), several readers-residents asked us to repost the crowdfunding campaign for the shop from November. 

Ahead of Ray's 90th birthday last month, the shop, which opened in 1974 here at 113 Avenue A just north of Seventh Street, hosted a GoFundMe "to help ensure he can keep his bills paid and his doors open for as long as he wants!" 

February is typically one of the slowest months for Ray ... and given that he may be out of commission while mending the three broken bones in his face and a dislocated jaw, some Ray's fans have been donating to the campaign.

Meanwhile, we're told that Ray is resting and eating a lot of blended soups. 

The crowdfunding link is right here.

[Updated] Suspect who allegedly assaulted Ray outside Ray's Candy Story has been arrested

Updated 7 p.m. 

A second man, ID'd as 55-year-old Gerald Barth, was also arrested. Luis Peroza and Barth are suspected of several assaults, per published reports. According to the Post: "Barth allegedly pointed a finger at Peroza as the muscle in the unhinged incidents..."

Several EVG readers have emailed us about Barth, and that he is well-known in Tompkins Square Park

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The 9th Precinct this morning announced that an arrest has been made in the assault of Ray Alvarez, the 90-year-old owner of Ray's Candy Store. 

Today we informed Ray that we identified and apprehended the perpetrator responsible for this heinous crime.

Special thanks to Warrants Section, 9th Detective Squad, and Intelligent Division. pic.twitter.com/QM9H2DKwaT

— NYPD 9th Precinct (@NYPD9Pct) February 4, 2023

[Updated noon] NY1 reported (and amNY) that police arrested Luis Peroza, a 39-year-old East Village resident. 

As EVG first reported, Ray and his employee Gabe were attacked outside Ray's Candy Store, 113 Avenue A, early Tuesday morning. 

A man struck Ray with what was described as a belt with a rock attached to it… causing a black eye and gash on Ray’s temple. Gabe was hit across the chest.

The suspect reportedly threatened to kill Ray, per the police report. All this apparently happened because Ray turned down an offer to buy seltzer water from the man and his accomplice. 

On Thursday night, a nurse finally convinced Ray to go to Beth Israel. We're told that a CT scan revealed three broken bones in his face and a dislocated jaw. The doctor put Ray on antibiotics and told him to go rest. Perhaps he will rest easier knowing that the police arrested the suspect.

P.S. Ray's 90th birthday crowdfunding campaign continues here.

Updated 3:30 p.m.

Mayor Adams thanked the NYPD in a tweet, linking to the Post's coverage this afternoon...
 

New York’s Finest never rests.

Thank you to the NYPD for their quick work in bringing the suspect behind the attack on the legendary Ray’s Candy Store to justice. https://t.co/QRBlX2g859

— Mayor Eric Adams (@NYCMayor) February 4, 2023

1010 WINS posted this perp-walk footage from today outside the 9th Precinct on Fifth Street...

Suspect Luis Peroza is walked out of the 9 Pct station house to face arraignment on assault charges for allegedly striking 90 year old candy store owner Ray Alvarez. Alvarez is resting at home. He has 3 broken facial bones. He plans to return to his store to work #1010wins pic.twitter.com/LDgCiDSWHk

— Carol D'Auria (@CarolDAuria) February 4, 2023

H/T Stacie Joy

An update on Ray

Updated 2/4: The 9th Precinct has arrested the suspect in this attack.

P.S. Ray's 90th birthday crowdfunding campaign continues here.

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Many people have been asking about Ray after the assault outside Ray's Candy Store, 113 Avenue A, early Tuesday morning. 

As previously reported, a man allegedly swung a belt with a rock attached to it, striking Ray in the left side of the face and knocking the 90-year-old store owner to the ground, causing a black eye and gash on his temple. 

Ray initially declined to seek any medical treatment in the aftermath, though he was in much discomfort. 

Last night, a nurse finally convinced Ray to go to Beth Israel. 

Today, Stella, Ray's longtime friend and co-worker, told EVG regular Lola Sáenz that a CT scan revealed three broken bones in his face and a dislocated jaw. The doctor put Ray on antibiotics and told him to go rest. We're told that he still can't chew, so he's on a liquid for now. 

The NYPD released a photo from surveillance footage of the alleged suspect (photo at this post).

Photo of NBC New York's coverage by Peter Brownscombe

Thursday's parting shot

Photo by Peter Brownscombe 

Updated 2/4: The 9th Precinct has arrested the suspect in this attack.

A scene from today outside Ray's Candy Store at 113 Avenue A as the news spread that the 90-year-old Ray and his employee Gabe were assaulted early Tuesday morning outside the shop. (Story here.) 

As previously reported, a man struck Ray with what has been described as a belt with a rock attached to it… causing a black eye and gash on Ray’s temple. The force of the blow knocked Ray to the ground. The man reportedly threatened to kill Ray, per the police report. All this apparently happened because Ray turned down an offer to buy seltzer water from the man and his accomplice. 

Police released a surveillance image of the suspect (also here). Most local news outlets picked up the story, including Telemundo, as seen above. 

There has been a movement to get Ray to a doctor — or at least bring one to him. He doesn’t want to stop working, though, like he has been doing here since 1974.

[Updated] Early morning assault outside Ray's Candy Store leaves Ray with a black eye and facial wounds

Photos by Lola Sáenz 

The post now includes a photo that the NYPD provided of the suspect (see below) ... Updated 2/3: Ray went to the hospital — details here.

Updated 2/4: The 9th Precinct has arrested the suspect in this attack.

Ray's 90th birthday crowdfunding campaign continues here.

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Word is circulating about an assault outside Ray's Candy Store that left Ray Alvarez, the shop's 90-year-old proprietor, with a black eye and a gash on his temple.

Here's what we've been told via several sources: Early Tuesday on the overnight shift, Ray and his employee Gabe walked outside the shop at 113 Avenue A around 3 a.m. for some fresh air. At that point, two men — apparently known to regulars along Avenue A — approached Ray and Gabe here just north of Seventh Street. 

The men were apparently trying to sell seltzer water. After declining the offer, the men angrily left. One of the men quickly returned, produced a metal pipe with a ball attached to the end, and struck the pair, hitting Gabe in the chest and Ray across the left side of his face. The man then ran off.

The blow left Ray, who fell to the ground bleeding, with a black eye and facial wounds... 

So far, Ray has not sought any medical treatment and continues to work. Last night, he officially filed a report with the 9th Precinct. Two officers stopped by Ray's to take his statement and begin an investigation.

Ray, who turned 90 last month, opened the shop in 1974. We can't recall anything like this happening to him before...  [Updated: See comments — I forgot about the time Marlene (aka Hot Dog) slammed the sidewalk gates on Ray's head.]

Updated 1:45 p.m. 

The NYPD released this image of the suspect... the police report also lists the weapon as "a belt that had a heavy rock affixed to the end" ...

Anyone with information that could help in the investigation is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477). You may also submit tips online. All calls are strictly confidential.

A happy birthday mural for Ray on Avenue A

Photos by Stacie Joy 

In honor of Ray’s 90th birthday this month, the folks behind the East Village-based Lisa Project surprised the proprietor of Ray's Candy Store today with this colorful new mural by Peach Tao outside 50 Avenue A between Third Street and Fourth Street.

Later, Ray was brought from the shop to check out the new artwork in person...

In 2019, Tao updated the Ray's sign outside the shop at 113 Avenue A at Seventh Street.