[VIDEO] Remembering Joe Ades A.K.A. Mr. Peeler, the Greatest Salesman in New York City History

Joes Ades was a well-known street character in the the 1990s and 2000s on the streets of New York City. Better known as Mr. Peeler, Ades would sell one thing and one thing only: potato (and sometimes carrot) peelers.

For the better part of two decades — well into his 70s — Joe Ades followed the same routine. He’d get up early, typically before dawn, and get dressed in his $1,000 suit with high-end shirts and ties. He’d leave his Manhattan apartment (and, toward the end of his career, that was a three-bedroom one on Park Avenue) and make his way to work. Like his millionaire neighbors, Ades probably pulled down well north of $100,000 a year. But unlike his neighbors, he wasn’t off to a job on Wall Street or at any other typical six-figure income job. He was off to a street corner to sell $5 potato peelers.

Check out the accompanying article for more on Mr. Peeler.

Matt Coneybeare

Matt Coneybeare

Editor in Chief

Matt enjoys exploring the City's with his partner and son. He is an avid marathon runner, and spends most of his time eating, running, and working on cool stuff.

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