The proprietor of the well-known Ray’s Candy Store, Ray Alvarez, who is 90 years old, suffered a brutal attack outside of his East Village location.
Reports and police indicate that the incident, which took place in the early hours of Tuesday, resulted in Mr. Alvarez sustaining a black eye and a severe laceration on his face.
According to the police, Mr. Alvarez was randomly approached by an unknown individual at around 3 a.m. on Tuesday, who inquired if he wanted to purchase a package they were holding. When Mr. Alvarez asked about the contents of the package, the attacker handed it off to another person and threatened to take Mr. Alvarez’s life.
According to law enforcement officials, the attacker used a belt fitted with a heavy rock as a weapon, striking Mr. Alvarez on the left side of his head. Despite the severity of the injury, Mr. Alvarez did not seek medical attention.
A local blog, EV Grieve, posted a photo of Mr. Alvarez, who has been operating the store for half a century, with a visible black eye and a cut on his temple.
The police have released a surveillance image of the suspect, who can be seen dressed entirely in black and pushing a purple shopping cart filled with various items.
Ray’s Candy Store, which has been in business since 1974 and operates 24 hours a day, is located at 113 Avenue A.
Ray’s Candy Store, the small confectionery establishment, has established itself as a staple in the East Village community and enjoys a dedicated group of customers.
In the past, patrons rallied to support the store, successfully raising $50,000 to cover past-due bills and keep the shop open when it was on the brink of closure.
Mr. Alvarez, a former Iranian sailor originally known as Asghar Ghahraman, initially paid $125 in rent when he opened the store. However, he has stated that the monthly rent has now risen to an staggering $6,200.
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.
