In the heart of Manhattan’s bustling East Village lies Ray’s Candy Store, a beloved 24-hour establishment renowned for its egg creams and an array of indulgent treats. This iconic shop has become a cherished fixture, its legacy intertwined with the journey of its owner, Ray Alvarez, a man whose life story is as rich and layered as the fried candy bars he serves.
Ray Alvarez was born Asghar Ghahraman in 1933 on a farm in Iran, where his early life was marked by hardship. Following the death of his mother shortly after his birth, he was sent to live with his teenage sister in Tehran. This formative experience of solitude shaped his childhood; he often found himself observing the world around him, captivated by the vibrant lives of his neighbors. A pivotal moment came when he encountered a boy heading to school. Inspired by the notion of education as a pathway to a better life, he decided to follow him. However, this ambition was short-lived, as his father ultimately pulled him out of school to work in a factory, earning a meager 79 cents a week making elastic.
Seeking a way out of this bleak existence, Alvarez joined the Iranian Navy, enticed by the promise of a steady meal and a better paycheck. His tenure in the Navy spanned nearly a decade, during which he toiled below decks on a ship’s boiler. Yet, the confinement of naval life became stifling, and Alvarez longed for freedom. When the ship docked in Norfolk, Virginia, he seized the opportunity to escape, jumping ship the night before its scheduled departure. With only $7 to his name, he boarded a bus bound for Miami, determined to forge a new life.
Arriving in New York City, Alvarez, now adopting the name Ramon, faced the daunting challenge of finding work without legal documentation. His initial foray into the job market led him to an employment agency that placed him at a tennis club. There, he thrived for a decade, but the specter of his citizenship status loomed large. His manager’s unscrupulous blackmail forced Alvarez into a corner: “If I give him $5,000, he don’t call no immigration.” This bitter experience left him financially drained, but it did not deter his aspirations.
With the savings he had managed to accrue, Alvarez was ready to invest in a future of his own. A friend’s suggestion to purchase a candy store instead of a restaurant—often a volatile venture—proved fortuitous. He seized the opportunity to buy a small candy store on Avenue A for $33,000, a significant portion of his savings. This decision marked the beginning of a new chapter in his life.
In a stroke of luck, the political landscape shifted in 1986 when President Ronald Reagan signed the Immigration Reform and Control Act, granting amnesty to many undocumented immigrants, including Alvarez. He officially became a naturalized American citizen in 2011, solidifying his ties to the country he had come to love.
Today, at 92 years old, Ray Alvarez stands as a neighborhood celebrity, a testament to resilience and the American Dream. His vibrant personality and dedication to his work resonate with patrons who cherish Ray’s Candy Store as a nostalgic haven in an ever-changing urban landscape. With a twinkle in his eye, he humorously declares, “Eight more years… I’ll be 100. I’ll retire,” a sentiment that reflects both his indomitable spirit and his love for the community he’s served for decades.
Alvarez’s story is not just about sweet treats; it’s a reflection of the immigrant experience, embodying the struggles and triumphs that define many lives in America. His journey from a small farm in Iran to owning a beloved candy store in New York City inspires countless others, illustrating the possibilities that arise from perseverance, hope, and a little bit of sweetness.
Reviewed by: News Desk
Edited with AI assistance + Human research
