New York, NY (1988)
I had always wanted to do a photo-essay on The Bowery and the alcoholics who were a part of this infamous avenue.
Sometime in the late 1980’s, when New York City was still new to me, I decided to check out The Bowery for photo possibilities. Tom Waits songs were playing through my head.

I quickly realized there were no longer any drunks along The Bowery. I was actually sad. There were a few scattered crackheads and some obviously deranged people, most likely deinstitutionalized and tossed onto the street. By the late 1980’s The Bowery was pretty much a street of restaurant supply and lighting fixture stores. Though there were a few flop-styled hotels, long gone were the days of of Bowery bums and gin mills. However, I still wanted a photo that spoke of yesteryear. I found that photo while passing the Sunshine Hotel.

© Richard Serviss