Ruby the knish man (legendary food vendor from Canarsie section of Brooklyn, NY)

Ruby was a knishman who I remember in Bayview Projects, Canarsie, in the early-mid sixties. Everyone remembered his most famous quote, spoken with a BOOMING voice:

My other recollections of Ruby as a kid not yet 10 years old are: -Ruby was always in the best of spirits (I do not recall EVER seeing such a serious face as in the picture).

-We often did not have the 12 cents for the knish. Ruby would still let us hang out by his wagon. He would give us free salt as a substitute. He let many run a tab with him. He never turned anyone away. I never forgot this attitude of his, and is the reason I spend time dedicating a web page to him.

-The tin cup of salt (in the picture) looked about 100 years old. It also looked like a bullet had dented it at some point.

-The knishes were unbelievable in taste. Never been another like it, and I've had everything from Shatzkins to Mrs. Stahl's, to Whitey's of Brighton Beach. There are reports that the superb taste was due to the ashes that fell on them when Ruby smoked his cigarettes,creating a unique seasoning.

-Years later, my dad and I ran into Ruby somewhere in Brooklyn. My dad flat-out asked him, "Ruby, did you EVER send your wife to Florida?"Ruby laughed, and said, still in that booming voice:"Yeah, but she made me go with her"....

Here's what Ruby would have to go through today:

For all applications:
An application must be filed in person at the New York City Licensing Center, 42 Broadway, 5th floor New York, New York between 9:00 AM and 5:00 PM. Applications will not be accepted by mail.
All required documentation must be submitted when filing your application. We will not accept partial applications.
Unless indicated otherwise, all must be original documentation, not a photocopy.
The name of the applicant must be spelled the same on all supporting documentation.
If you are a woman with your maiden name on some documents but your married name on others, you will need to also bring your marriage certificate or divorce papers to establish a link between the two names. Anyone with a legal name change must provide proof of this.
If the applicant is not applying in person, the person applying on their behalf must present a Power of Attorney (Authority to Act form) on either a standard legal form or an affidavit provided by the Licensing Center. - The Power of Attorney form or affidavit will be accepted by the department for a period of 180 days from the date it is signed. - The information provided on the Power of Attorney form or affidavit must be neatly written or typed and the person applying on behalf of the applicant must present one acceptable form of his/her photo identification as detailed below (in addition to a copy of the applicants photo identification). - Any form or document with alterations, corrections, white-out, etc., will not be accepted. - You must be at least 18 years old to apply for this permit. [ ] Permit Application - Complete the application form and sign where indicated. [ ] Proof of Address – Original items only. The following can be used as proof of address: o valid driver’s license or non-driver’s photo identification o recent bank statement, credit card statement or utility bill (dated within 90 days of the application date) o valid lease. Note: If you do not have any of the above documentation with your name on it, you can submit the attached affidavit letter with a recent utility bill or valid lease from the person with whom you reside. If the permit is to be issued to a corporation, partnership, or a limited liability company (LLC), the proof of address must reflect the corporate, partnership or LLC name. [ ] Social Security Number (SSN) or Individual Tax Identification Number (ITIN) - Original social security card or ITIN card or letter from the IRS. (Laminated or altered cards, stubs, computer printouts or applications for a social security card or ITIN will not be accepted.) If necessary, you may obtain a replacement card at your local Social Security office (call 1- 800-772-1213 for further information). Note: If the permit is to be issued to a corporation, partnership or a limited liability company (LLC), the proof of SSN or ITIN must be that of an officer, partner, director or member. Note: The IRS estimates that it takes about six (6) weeks to receive a SSN or ITIN. For information or help in applying for a SSN, please call 1-800-772-1213. For information or help in applying for an ITIN, please call 1-800-829-1040. -Page 2 of 4- [ ] Photo ID - Original items only. The following can be used as photo identification: o valid driver’s license or non-driver’s photo identification, o current alien registration card or naturalization certificate with photo identification, o current U.S. or foreign passport with photo identification, or o current U.S. government agency issued photo identification, including a U.S.-issued Refugee Travel Document with photo identification. Note: If the permit is to be issued to a corporation, partnership or a limited liability company (LLC), the photo identification must be that of an officer, partner, director or member. [ ] New York State Certificate of Sales Tax Authority - Please complete Form DTF-17 (attached) (see instructions and NAICS codes) and mail it to: New York State Tax Department, Sales Tax Registration Unit, W A Harriman Campus, Albany, New York 12227, at least 20 days (but not more than 90 days) before you begin doing business in New York State. In about three weeks, you will receive a Sales Tax card from them; this card is what you need to bring when you apply for your permit. (You must bring the original card: no photocopies accepted.) For faster service, you can go to their website at http://www.nysopal. com and complete it on-line. You may also present an original Certificate of Sales Tax Clearance Letter dated within six (6) months instead of the Sales Tax Card. Note: If the permit is to be issued to a corporation, partnership or a limited liability company (LLC), the certificate presented must reflect the entity's name. [ ] New York City Environmental Control Board Clearance - The Department will check ECB records for you. As long as there are no outstanding fines, the Department will accept your application provided all other requirements are met. If you know you have been issued violations/fines that are still outstanding and you want a hearing, go directly to the Environmental Control Board at 66 John Street, 10th floor, New York, New York 10038; telephone # (212) 361-1400. Otherwise, you may come to the Citywide Licensing Center to settle the fines and obtain a clearance letter before you file your application. Payment for fines must be by money order or check, and separate from the payment for the license application. Clearance certificates issued by the ECB must be dated within 90 days of submitting a license application. Note: If the permit is to be issued to a corporation, partnership or a limited liability company (LLC), the clearance certificate must reflect the entity's name. [ ] Operator List Requirement – Section 17-309(b)(1) of the New York City Administrative Code requires that you provide a signed, notarized, affidavit form (enclosed) listing all operator(s) of your mobile food vending unit, including their full name, home address, DOHMH license (ID badge) number and their legal relationship to you (for example, employee, worker, etc.). If you are the only worker of your food unit, just list your name. [ ] Eligibility Affidavit Requirement – Section 17-309(b)(5) of the New York City Administrative Code requires that you provide a signed, notarized, affidavit form (enclosed) stating that no other “public place” permit issued by the Department of Health & Mental Hygiene is possessed by you, any of your unemancipated children, any of your partners, officers, shareholders, etc. The Department will verify your sworn affidavit. Pursuant to section 17-317 of the Administrative Code, any false, misleading or untrue statement may constitute grounds for suspension or revocation of any permit listed. (This is not required for the application of "Restricted Area" permits.) [ ] License (ID badge) – (Photocopy is acceptable). A current mobile food vending license issued by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene needs to be held by either the individual whose name is on the permit or by a corporate officer, partner, director or member if the permit is to be issued to a corporation, partnership or limited liability company. If you do not have a current license, you must apply for a new one (if you never had one) or renew a previously expired license. -Page 3 of 4- [ ] For Sole Proprietorships (a business owned by an individual) - Submit a notarized copy of your Business Certificate. The County Clerk must certify this, and the address on the Business Certificate must be the same as the proof-of-address document you are submitting. (If you are a sole proprietor doing business under your own name and not a “trade name” or “doing-business-as name”, you do not need a Business Certificate). For Partnerships - Submit a copy of your notarized copy of your Partnership Certificate. The County Clerk must certify this, and the address on the Partnership Certificate must be the same as the proof-of-address document you are submitting. In addition, proof of address, social security number (or ITIN), and photo ID must be presented for each partner. A photocopy of this required documentation is acceptable. For Corporations (or Limited Liability Companies) – (1) Submit a copy of your Certificate of Incorporation (stamped to indicate it was filed with the New York State Department of State) OR the corporate filing receipt issued by the New York Secretary of State. If applicable, your corporation’s “Assumed Name” should be stated on your Certificate of Incorporation or filing receipt. (If you are a corporation located outside of New York State, you must obtain a “Certificate of Doing Business in Good Standing” from your home state's Secretary of State and file it with an application for an "Authority to Conduct Business in New York State" with the New York State Department of State.) You must present this "Authority" issued by the New York State Secretary of State when you apply for this permit). For more information, please contact the New York State Department of State's Division of Corporations at (518) 473-2492. (2) You must also submit a listing of the current officers of the corporation, dated within one year of the date of application. A copy of the original document is acceptable. A typed or neatly handwritten listing is acceptable. Notarization of this listing is not required. [ ] Restricted Area Permit - The Department also issues a category of "restricted area permits" that does not authorize food vending on city streets but allows other types of food vending. These permits are exempt from the limits imposed on "street vending" and you may apply for this type of permit. There is, however, the limitation that you operate in the restricted area so designated. Examples of "restricted area permits" are those approved to operate on Parks Department property or those approved to operate outdoors on private property in a commercially zoned area. Please contact the Parks Department at (212) 360-8111 for further information about permits on their property. Examples of situations which qualify as "outdoors on private property" are: a private parking lot, a shopping mall, a vacant fenced-in lot area, the area within a gasoline station. The sidewalk in front of someone's store does not qualify; the sidewalk and street (curb) in front of someone's store is considered public space, not private property. You must be within the property line to be considered operating on private property. If applicable, you must bring valid contract or lease (original only) with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation or the owner/building manager of the private property or building where the unit will operate. It must specify (1) the restricted location, (2) number of food units allowed, (3) type of food sold, (4) the terms of agreement (start and end dates), and (5) the floors of operation (for indoor operation use only) or proof the property is zoned for commercial use (for outdoor operation on private property only). Examples of such zoning proof include the certificate of occupancy for this property or an official document from the Department of Buildings. The Certificate of Occupancy or other documentation from the Department of Buildings must be date-stamped within two (2) years of the date of application submission and specifically indicate that this property is in an area zoned for commercial use. Note: Please be advised that you will be required to pay for a two-year period (see fee below) for any "Restricted Area Permit". However, the permit you receive may be less than two years if the expiration date of your contract or lease is less than two years from your application date. If this is the case, you may request a re-inspection (at no charge) for the remainder of the unused portion of the two-year period you paid for if you obtain and present to the Licensing Center an approved extension to your current contract or lease. -Page 4 of 4- [ ] Proof of Qualification – If you have been called from the Department’s waiting lists for a permit if you are a disabled veteran, a disabled person (who is not a veteran) or a veteran (who is not disabled) please see the attached notice for an additional requirement. Your application will not be accepted unless you provide evidence that you meet this additional requirement. [ ] Power of Attorney form (Authority to Act form) – required if the applicant is not submitting an application in person and is having someone else represent him/her for this purpose. As mentioned above, the Power of Attorney (Authority to Act) form: must be typed or neatly handwritten; and will be accepted by the Department for a period of 180 days from the date it is signed. The person applying on behalf of the applicant must present one acceptable form of his/her photo identification in addition to a copy of the applicant’s photo identification. [ ] Permit Fee - The Department accepts payment by money order or check only. Please make your check/money order payable to the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene. Note: There is no fee for a permit if you are an honorable discharged veteran of the United States Armed Services and present a New York State Peddler’s Certificate or are the surviving spouse or domestic partner of a veteran with this certificate. Eligible individuals are entitled to only one fee-exempt permit. Full-term (2 year) Permit - Processing: $200 (H06) Full-term (2 year) Permit - Nonprocessing: $75 (H06) Seasonal (April 1 - October 31) Permit - Processing: $35 (H03) Seasonal (April 1 - October 31) Permit - Nonprocessing: $15 (H03) PLEASE NOTE: NEW APPLICATIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED BY MAIL. IF YOU ARE SUBMITTING THIS APPLICATION AFTER BEING CONTACTED FROM AN ESTABLISHED MOBILE FOOD VENDING WAITING LIST, YOUR APPLICATION MUST BE FILED TIMELY IN PERSON OR BY A DULY AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE. FAILURE TO FILE AN APPLICATION WITHIN THE DEADLINE DATE SPECIFIED IN YOUR INSTRUCTIONS WILL RESULT IN YOUR INELIGIBLITY TO APPLY FOR THIS PERMIT AND THE LOSS OF YOUR WAITING LIST POSITION, EVEN IF YOU AUTHORIZE SOMEONE ELSE TO DO THIS FOR YOU. INSPECTION REQUIREMENT: After submitting your application and getting a receipt, please wait one week before contacting the Bureau of Food Safety and Community Sanitation at (212) 676-1650 or (212) 442-8284 to schedule an appointment to have your mobile food vending unit inspected. New York City Administrative Code Section 17-307(b.2.d) requires that all mobile food vending units (pushcarts, trucks) pass an inspection by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene within six (6) months of the date an application is submitted and a receipt is issued. Failure to fulfill this requirement will result in the termination and permanent loss of your permit. There is no waiver of this requirement, even if you assign someone else to have the food vending unit inspected for you. (REV:SL 9/2011

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.