Memorial for Joe Ades, Peeler Peddler, Planned for Saturday

Courtesy Igor Pusenjak

On Saturday there will be an informal memorial service for the late vegetable peeler peddler Joe Ades, organized by admirers of the distinctive street salesman. (More on Ades, who passed away Sunday, here.)

A reader tells us, "We will gather at the statue on the south side of Union Square park on Saturday, February 7th, at 1 p.m; and invite everyone to bring memories, anecdotes, and of course, a peeler and carrots or potatoes. As we join together to peel, we will create a temporary vegetable memorial that will incorporate stories and photos that the community brings to share."

So fish out your official Ades peeler, don your sharpest suit, and get ready to confuse passers-by with your favorite Ades catchphrases, like, "My machine is so gentle, you'll peel asparagus without breaking the tip!" Details here, and a Flickr blog on Ades here.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on February 4, 2009 2:55 PM

Comments [rss]

FunChop

Does anyone know where I could purchase one of his peelers?

Papercutninja

It's a Swiss "Star" brand peeler. They usually go for $5-$7 online(i just searched it out in case mine gives up the ghost). Mr. Ades used to sell them for $5. He used to tell people that the company who made it only sold it to resellers who would demonstrate it to people, because it looks so ordinary. No one sold it like him though...

dandygeorge

The memorial is listed on Facebook, along with a Joe Ades group. Search "Ades"

Bon Viant

Someone should invite Lady Diana Rigg (AKA Emma Peel).

Papercutninja

i wonder if anyone will take up his legacy of selling those peelers? Certainly they won't have the pizzaz or personality....but i really like my peeler!!