Manny

Manny is a large cat with a two-toned nose who spends much of the day outside his market watching foot traffic.

Manny is a big cat with a two-toned nose. He sits outside his market watching foot traffic. When we arrived, he was already in his preferred spot, acknowledging greetings and ignoring anything unimportant. People paused to talk to him. Some crouched down, while others nodded at him like a neighbor sitting on a stoop.

Customers come specifically to see Manny.

The worker told us this with a shrug. "He knows everybody. Customers. Delivery guys. People from upstairs. He keeps track of things."

When people stop to greet him, he gives them a slow blink or shifts position. Inside, workers usually find him on a shelf, along a wall, or near the counter.

His routine is consistent enough that the workers can predict where he will be at different times of day.

A worker also described what he believes happens when health inspectors approach.

"He knows what they look like," the worker said. He believes Manny responds to a clipboard, jacket, or particular walk by moving outside, down the hall, or behind a stack of crates.

The worker said the store had gone three years without a cat violation and gave Manny credit. BCNY did not review the store's inspection history or observe Manny during an inspection.

"He just knows," they said. "We don't teach him."

The account belongs to the worker. It does not establish that Manny can reliably identify inspectors or explain why the store received no citation.

When we left, Manny was back outside in the same spot, watching people pass.