RIP Vinny Peanuts

Yesterday, August 22, 2020, a legend of Little Italy in Manhattan (New York County), specifically of Mulberry Street was finally laid to rest.  Having passed away on April 13, 2020 from complications of COVID-19, The pandemic claimed someone I knew and admired finally.  We lost Vinny Cirelli, AKA Vinny Peanuts.   

I feel like we've been hearing about the death of Little Italy for the past 15 years.  Many people blame Chinatowns expansion, but the reality is gentrification has been the real killer.  Rents sky rocketing to astronomical levels has led to many older landlords pushing out their rent controlled tenants, in particular the Italian- Americans who resided in Little Italy.  Now only a handful remain, albeit they are still quite dedicated to the neighborhood they've called home for decades.  Stroll around Mulberry Street on the weekends and you'll still spot them running their shops or sitting outside of their buildings smoking a cigarette or sipping a coffee.  Something that screams "Old School New York City" in such a strong way.

For decades, Vinny ran a Peanut Stand on the corner of Mulberry Street and Grand Street selling Italian nuts and candy.  Famous for his Torrone, Vinny was a fixture in Little Italy.  

When I began working in the area back in 2012, I was shortly afterwards introduced to Vinny.  I was immediately taken in by Vinny's old school charm and quick wit.  Not to mention his thick New York accent.  I learned that he still resided on Mulberry Street in his Grandmothers old apartment.  Truly one of the last.  He was never married or had any children, Vinny was dedicated to his business.  I would see Vinny often at a now closed pub called Puck Faire which was on the corner of E. Houston Street and Lafayette Street until late hours of the night.  Vinny was well known around the neighborhood and many of the people who worked there or lived there have a Vinny story or 2.  

I visited the neighborhood yesterday, the day his services were held, appropriately at the Old St. Patricks Church on Mulberry Street and Prince Street.  I snapped the above photo on the corner of Mulberry Street and Grand Street as I passed by.  A really touching tribute to Vinny, showing that Vinny's influence extends well beyond the grave.  Rest well Vinny, I'm a better man for having met you.