Ray Alvarez, the beloved owner of Ray’s Candy Store, turned 80 earlier this month. What better way to celebrate than with semi-nudity?

Fay Raye, an eight-year-old “Muttweiler,” is a well-known customer at Ray’s Candy Store on Avenue A. Watch her wait for slices of cheese at the counter.

Fireworks, presumably World Series-related, boomed over the East Village shortly after midnight, capping off a night of hurricane preparation and anticipation that was described as eery and sedate.

A couple of days ago, actress Gita Reddy grabbed a hot dog and an egg cream at Ray’s Candy Store on Avenue A, and during one last walk around, shared her memories of twenty years in the neighborhood.

A group of homeless people has taken shelter under the awning of the shuttered East Village Farm, where police are allowing them to stay even as neighbors complain of unsanitary and potentially dangerous conditions on Avenue A.

The police closed down Tompkins Square Park tonight after a window of a 7-Eleven was smashed, seemingly by protesters.

A roundup of this morning’s news.

A roundup of this morning’s news.

The sign also reads “No Mercey For Michelle Backmann.”

A roundup of this morning’s news, including another L train death, continued opposition to a historic district, a new development on Avenue D, a Yippie in trouble, and more.

A roundup of this morning’s posts, including possible heart surgery for Ray, a female priest on East Fourth, drug charges at the Sunburnt Cow, Christmas comes early for M15 drivers, and more.

The iconic muralist may be leaving Alphabet City for good to find a new life in Tampa.

A fuller portrait of the late East Village documentarian.

A roundup of news from the East Village.

A chronicler of the neighborhood dies of a heart attack.

Matt Rosen has helped usher two local legends, the Mosaic Man and Ray Alvarez — of Ray’s Candy Store — into the information age.

A roundup of news articles and blogposts related to the East Village, including posts about the closure of Mars Bar and the opening of Jane’s Sweet Buns.

The Local visits Ray’s Candy Store, which re-opened during the weekend after being closed last week for health code violations.

When the owner of Ray’s Candy Store ignored a health department order to close the shop until a series of health code violations were addressed, it ended up being a costly decision. When the health inspector returned yesterday and found him still operating, the owner, Ray Alvarez, received a hefty fine and now estimates that he owes a total of $7,000. Ever since, he has been preoccupied with solving the problem.