Ray Alvarez as he’s known, was born Asghar Ghahraman in Iran. He jumped ship while serving in the military in 1964, came to America and worked as a dishwasher for 10 years, saving up enough money to open his own store in 1974. He still owns and operates that very same store. He recently became a legal American citizen.

He’s had his struggles in keeping up with the insane rents of NYC. But the community rallies around him, and he’s still open.

Ray recently celebrated his 80th birthday and I was there to capture him on this milestone. I really love this photograph I took of him, where under the most oppressing of circumstances, he still bears a sense of optimism and joy.

Even with no teeth.

Happy 80th birthday, Ray.