Tough Times Down on the East Side: Kurve and Ray's Imperiled

From left to right: Kurve on a recent Saturday night, Ray's Candy Store courtesy Vidiot.

Two distinct East Village establishments are on the verge of going under, and though the businesses are polar opposites, their troubles highlight the downward spiral of the neighborhood into a boarded-up ghost town dotted with high rise condos. Exhibit A, Kurve, is no surprise; the long-delayed Thai restaurant from acclaimed chef Andy Chang (Rhong-Tiam) finally opened last Autumn to disastrous reviews . But given Kurve's groovy design and its party zone location, it seemed possible the drunken masses would keep it afloat. In better times, maybe, but today Eater reports that the restaurant has been abruptly shut down, with an eviction notice on the door demanding $52,253.43 in back rent from last May.

Further east on Avenue A, there's more trouble at a place we actually give a shit about: Ray's Candy Store, across the street from Tompkins Square Park. The hole-in-the wall burger, shake, etc. joint with the take-out window has been a neighborhood institution for decades, reportedly raking in $3,000 a day at its peak in the '80s. But 75-year-old Ray Alvarez is about to turn 76 with $40,000 in credit-card debt and a range of health problems he can't afford to fix, the Villager reports.

A Turkish immigrant, Alvarez does have a green card, but can't prove his age because he doesn't have a birth certificate. Which means no Social Security, and if things don't change, no Ray's. Fortunately, a neighbor has been trying to help Alvarez get things sorted out, but the way things have been going in the East Village, you may not want to postpone stopping by Ray's for an egg cream or malted milkshake. Grub Street has more on how much Alvarez "loves his customers," and earlier this week The Chocolate Bar also gave up on the neighborhood.

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By John Del Signore in Food on January 23, 2009 2:18 PM

Comments [rss]

Art Vandelay

Curve: good riddance!

Ray's: I will be stopping by for a snack ASAP

KBR

My friend and I are silkscreening shirts of Ray sometime next weekend. All profit goes to him, we're hoping to sell them for cheap. They're going to be really cool, I'll post a picture when they're made, but email kbr@mindspring.com if you want to get a few to sell on your own.

They'll be sold at Ray's, and anywhere anyone wants to sell them.

Kyla

rikomatic

Ray's malted pistachio shakes can improve the crappiest day. I'm really bummed about this.

La Leone

Ray's is incredible. I really LOVE their Rasberry Lime Rickeys. And Ray's actually made me become a Pomme Frites fan! I'm a foodie who's not terribly excited by mediocre fries. But their fries are golden-y crisp, not too greasy, and a ridiculousy generous portion for $ 5! Two free sauces too, and tons to choose from! But all the tasty treats aside, that place is full of history, which Ray is also happy to tell you about. And such an interesting late night snack spot. Please support Ray's any way you can!

missnake

umm, Kurve is RIDICULOUS. have you ever been to that place? ugh. my sister dragged me there. terrible. it doesn't deserve to be mentioned in the same posting as Ray's.

counttrarian

Sounds like a benefit concert is certainly in order.

I think I can get us a space and some people interested. If no one has started working on this email me, counttrarian@yahoo.com, and lets get one started.

"RAID the benefit concert for Ray" We can aim for groundhogs day, Vday or the like.

ides_of_march

But I thought change was supposed to be a good thing.

Crashco

I love Ray's. I can't imagine not being able to order an egg cream or cup of black. I bet there are 100s of us willing to front $10 or $20 to get Ray back on his feet. Any good (honest) lawyer out there who can stand up a simple foundation?