Nicholas Gray — the founder of Gray’s Papaya, one of New York City’s most beloved and quirky restaurant chains — died in a Manhattan hospital last Friday.
He was 86 years old.
His death was brought on by complications of Alzheimer’s disease, based on The New York Times.
Gray opened his first restaurant, selling hot dogs and papaya drinks at extremely reasonable prices in 1973, when he was a Wall Street stockbroker still reeling from his recent divorce.
Born in Chile and educated in England and Canada, he was walking past Papaya King on 86th Street on the Upper East Side at some point when he was struck by the playful atmosphere and suggestive smells of cooking dogs and sweet juice.
![Nicholas Gray stands outside the Gray's Papaya location in 1998](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/NYPICHPDPICT000011689380.jpg?w=1024)
Soon after, he quit his white-collar job and arranged a franchise take care of Papaya King to open his own restaurant under the same name.
When that contract expired two years later, he arrange his own restaurants under the name Gray’s Papaya.
Gray’s Papaya immediately made a splash on the scene, offering hot dogs at a staggeringly low price of 50 cents per dog – 25 cents cheaper than its former partner, Papaya King.
![Gray's Papaya on the Upper West Side](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/NYPICHPDPICT000011689367-1.jpg?w=1024)
He was in a position to keep that price until 1999, and over the years Gray’s Papaya became known for deals akin to the 1982 “Recession Special” which charged just $1.95 for a pair of hot dogs and juice.
Raising prices on his customers was the scourge of Gray’s life.
In a 2008 interview with the Times, he said that such conduct “has at all times been very traumatic for me and my clients.” prices.
![Nicholas Gray holding a hot dog outside Gray's Papaya](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/NYPICHPDPICT000011689534-edited.jpg)
“Unlike politicians, we cannot raise the debt limit and we’re forced to lift our very reasonable prices. Please don’t hate us,” he begged.
Affordability, eccentricity and street corners were the holy trinity of Gray’s business model.
![AND](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2023/05/NYPICHPDPICT000011689379.jpg?w=1024)
Signs that read “Once you’re hungry, broke, or simply in a rush!” or “Let’s be honest, we wish you to purchase our furries. Hi! Hey!… Do you understand? the plastered front of the store, while in warmer weather Gray’s would go away its doors open to the sidewalk at all hours, with customers wandering around and the smell of dogs and juices wafting through the city.
Over the years, Gray’s Papaya operated multiple locations around the city, and Gray himself was known to wear a red uniform and take orders from New Yorkers behind the counter.
Today, only its original location on West 72nd Street and Broadway stays, but Gray’s family pledged to maintain the business alive after his death. Tasting table.