Hi, I’m Olivia. Welcome back to Deli Cat Diaries, a video series where I meet New York’s deli cats. I should be at H&H Fruits & Grocery on the corner of 6th Ave and 11th St meeting Candy, but instead, I’m paying tribute to her. Candy passed away from unforeseen circumstances just days before filming.
Candy was brought to H&H Fruits & Grocery eighteen years ago. When owner Lynn Ko and her husband were looking for a new cat, a friend suggested a community hub that was advertising free cats on the radio. Ko reflected on how the place hesitated to give Candy away, given her uncommon Russian Blue breed. Nevertheless, Ko persuaded them to let her go for a fee, knowing Candy was remarkable. Since then, the deli has been her spot, her place, her home.
“Candy is very special and different from other cats,” Ko explained. Their first deli cat used to venture out until one night when an unknown source hit them, injuring them badly and ultimately causing their death. Russian Blues are known for being highly intelligent, and after that, Candy knew not to go outside. Candy was described as having a hint of attitude, although this attitude appeared to be more about selectivity with whom to trust. Ko laughed, adding, “she knows who is cat person and who is not cat person.” Ko pulled out a plastic bag from behind the counter and described how she used to pet Candy with it due to her allergy to cats, “I always use a plastic bag. So she knows. As soon as I put on a plastic bag, she comes to me. She knows what I mean.” Despite having an extreme cat allergy, Ko’s face brightened with a smile when reminiscing about petting Candy. Her smile grew larger as she explained how Candy would meow, waiting for Ko to let her behind the register so she could say hello.
Ko greeted customers, rang them up, and wished them a good day in between our conversations. At one point, a mother approached the counter while her daughter scanned the store for Candy’s presence. Ko informed them of Candy’s passing and both mother and daughter stood still, seemingly distraught from the news. After giving their condolences, the mother asked, ”Did she have her photo shoot?” The day before, they had overheard Ko warmly telling Candy not to hide and that someone was coming to interview her the next day. Serendipitously, we were all in the deli at the same time, centered around the subject of Candy.
Over the past eighteen years, the bond between cat and owner grew as Candy learned to understand Ko, and vice versa. Candy was sweet, hence her name, and customers built a connection with her because of that. It didn’t matter what kind of day they had, their background, or their deli order; everyone who came was linked together with a common thought in mind and fondness in their heart. She was such a prominent part of the shop that customers would come in for forty minutes at a time just to spend time with her. New York’s deli cats create so much love in the places they live; a quick stop at a deli can be quickly transformed into a tender part of someone’s day through the presence of cats like Candy.
“She’s a part of my… heart,” Ko expressed, kindly pointing to the many cat pictures near the register. This sentiment is felt deeply not only by Ko, but also by the customers who knew and cherished Candy as well. Her absence is felt deeply, yet the warmth that inhabits H&H Fruits & Grocery continues to exist after her death. Candy’s astonishing personality and admiration reflect deeply on Ko’s disposition. Rest in peace, Candy.