Owner/Head Chef Bruce Paley graduated from the Food and Maritime Trades High School in 1969 with "Chef of the Year" honors. He went on to New York City Communiy College, studying Hotel Technology and Food Preparation. He graduated in 1971 as top chef in his class. While attending classes, he worked for a French gourmet catering service in New York City. He also spent time working in the Manhattan Meat Market below 14th Street. Bruce then moved on to work at a gourmet bakery and caterer in Bronxville, NY. Later, an opportunity arose to open a supermarket on Hurley Avenue in Hurley, NY (The Pink Store). The market, which featured a top quality butcher shop, a great deli, and catering was run by Bruce and his brother Howie for six years. With his eye always open to new business opportunities, Bruce purchased the Bowery Dugout in the Summer of 1978. Now, almost thirty years later, the Dugout is going as strong as ever. And a large part of that success can be directly attributed to his loyal staff, several of which have been with him 30 years, 21 years, and 14 years respectively.