Vendor Gives Thanks for 1 Million Served
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NEW YORK — The Guggenheim Museum received a $1,000 donation toward its expansion plans from a man who shows up at the 5th Avenue institution every day--but has never gone in to see the art.
Fotios Velis, a Greek immigrant who has been selling hot dogs and other snacks from his cart in front of the museum for 13 years, said he wanted to make the gift to say thanks.
A museum spokeswoman called the gift “particularly gratifying.”
Velis, 35, came to New York City from Greece in 1976 and had his own cart by his second day. Since then, he estimates he has sold about 1 million hot dogs.
“This is my new country and I had to show my gratitude by becoming a success,” he said Sunday.
Why has he never gone in to see the museum’s displays?
“I’m working when they are open,” he said.
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