Life-Work Cafe

The Peeler Guy

May 10, 2006 · 3 Comments

Came across this in Vanity Fair:

120  |  THE GENTLEMAN GRAFTER  With his hand-tailored suits and Turnbull & Asser ties, Joe Ades definitely looks the part of a Park Avenue swell. But unlike his neighbors, Ades works the streets—selling potato peelers. Following the irresistible 72-year-old from the bar at the Pierre to the Union Square Greenmarket, Howard Kaplan profiles a New York character who built his fortune $5 at a time. Photographs by Jonathan Becker.
For me, this was worth more than the price of the magazine. Anyone who shops at the Greenmarket knows this guy. He puts on an incredible floor show day after day, dressed impeccable, spieling away with great flare in his Cockney accent.  You won’t often see someone who takes such joy in his work. Well, maybe not since I Love Lucy. Drama! Flair! Flying vegetable peel!  If you live in New York City, go watch. If you don’t, go read. I promise you’ll be smiling.

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