Owner of famed Ray’s Candy Store brutally assaulted outside NYC shop

[The Bobster]

Owner of famed Ray’s Candy Store brutally assaulted outside NYC shop

The random attack happened around 3 a.m. when an unknown man approached the the 90-year-old owner of famed Ray’s Candy Store and asked if he wanted to buy a package.

nypost.com

Owner of famed Ray’s Candy Store brutally assaulted outside NYC shop​

By
Craig McCarthy and

Jorge Fitz-Gibbon


February 2, 2023 1:08pm
Updated










The 90-year-old owner of the famed Ray’s Candy Store was brutally assaulted outside his East Village shop — leaving him with a black eye and a nasty cut on his face, police and reports said Thursday.
Ray Alvarez was randomly attacked around 3 a.m. Tuesday by a stranger who asked him if he wanted to buy a package he was carrying, cops said.
When Alvarez asked what was inside the box, the perp handed it off to another man — and threatened to kill the owner, police said.

The beloved owner of East Village sweet shop Ray’s Candy Store was viciously attacked early Tuesday.William Farrington
He then attacked the elderly owner using a belt that had a heavy rock affixed to the end, hitting him on the left side of the head, according to cops. The victim did not seek medical treatment.


Local blog EV Grieve posted a photo of Alvarez, who has run the shop for 50 years, with a black eye and gash on his temple.


Police released a surveillance image of a man wanted in the attack, showing him dressed all in black and pushing a purple shopping cart filled with random items.


Ray’s Candy Store is a 24-hour shop that has been open since 1974 at 113 Avenue A.




1 of 3

Ray Alvarez opened his candy shop in the East Village back in 1974. Gregory P. Mango

Alvarez did not seek medical treatment. Gregory P. Mango





The tiny sweet shop is an East Village institution — with a loyal customer base.


Last year, patrons raised $50,000 to help pay overdue bills and keep the store peddling sweets when it was on the verge of shutting down.


Alvarez, a former Iranian sailor whose birth name is Asghar Ghahraman, was paying $125 in rent when he first opened — but said the monthly price tag is up to nearly $6,200.




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This is the person who attacked Alvarez, police say. DCPI

Ray Alvarez was randomly attacked around 3 a.m. Tuesday. DCPI





He told The Post in November he also had bills piling up, including an $18,000 tab from Con Edison — before his customers came to the rescue.





Despite the latest hit, he is continuing to sling egg creams and sweets.

 

[Arheel's Uncle]

Alvarez, a former Iranian sailor whose birth name is Asghar Ghahraman

Ray jumped his IR Navy ship near Miami area, took on a new identity, became a model citizen.

His January 1st birthday gofundme. Quite a story.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/fundrayscandystore