Vinny Peanuts, 68

Little Italy

There’s a makeshift memorial to Vinny Cirelli, overflowing with flowers and photos, at the intersection of Mulberry and Grand streets. It was this corner where Cirelli, who died April 13, operated his Vinny’s Nut House stand for some five decades. Hence his ubiquitous nickname: Vinny Peanuts.

“He used to stay there from Easter until New Year’s Eve,” says Joe Fratta, his brother-inlaw, adding that — beyond assorted nuts — Cirelli became known for selling Italian torrone, cookies and water. It was the latter that caught the attention of documentarian Nicolas Heller two years ago during a walk down Mulberry Street in Little Italy.

“I hear someone trying to sell waters, and it was this super-thick New York accent going ‘Watah, we got yah watah, one dollah,’ ” says Heller. “I just watched him for five minutes hustling waters and I was intrigued by the whole situation . . . I wanted to talk to him, but I didn’t think he would be responsive or care.”

But in 2019, Heller — who runs the @NewYorkNico Instagram account — approached him to film a video for his 374,000 followers. Cirelli agreed. After that the two grew close, and Cirelli became a regular feature in Heller’s feed.

Cirelli’s family remembers him for his gravelly voice, his hilariously loud laugh and his seemingly endless supply of stories. But he was also a dedicated worker, selling treats on the streets of a shrinking Little Italy from his youth until this month.

“He was a staple in the neighborhood,” says his second cousin, Nick Criscitelli. And without

Vinny Peanuts around, there is already a void.

“Little Italy is still going to be great,” Heller says, “but without Vinny, there’s definitely going to be a huge piece missing.”