CBGBs to become men's fashion boutique

[schwenko]

from the NY Times:

November 6, 2007, 5:49 pm
CBGB to Become Men’s Fashion Boutique
By Sewell Chan

The men’s fashion designer John Varvatos confirmed today that he is building a 3,200-square-foot boutique in the Bowery storefront that housed CBGB, the legendary punk-rock nightclub that closed in October 2006.
In a conference call with reporters, Mr. Varvatos said his new store would pay respectful homage to CBGB, whose founder and owner, Hilly Kristal, died in August.
Mr. Varvatos said:
I’ve been a huge music nut since I was a young kid and when I came to New York, I spent a lot of time in CBGB. I was very saddened, like a lot of people when it closed last October, but I kind of came upon the space in an indirect manner in that I was in the neighborhood, looking at something else, and I had the opportunity to go inside just to see what the state of the space was at this point in time and just stick my head in. When I was in there I was struck. I had this thought at that moment: We should do something with this space to make it something very special and honor what it was.

(Jeremiah’s Vanishing New York has some fun with the press release for the announcement, which is replete with musical references: “With a nod to the Ramones, Varvatos also collaborates with Converse on a line of sneakers and clothing.”)
Mr. Varvatos said he did want the space to simply become “a bank or a deli.” Even so, the arrival of an upscale boutique is bound to be seen in some quarters as a factor in the rapid gentrification of the Bowery — and of the Lower East Side more generally. Mr. Varvatos would not reveal many details of the store, except to say that he had agreed to a long-term lease. Construction of the new store is to begin in December, and the store is to open in March.
Mr. Varvatos, 52, who is known for upscale yet accessible men’s fashions, and already has five boutiques: two in California, one in Las Vegas and one each in SoHo and East Hampton, N.Y. He said his Bowery boutique “is very much going to be a rock-and-roll store,” with a decor and a product line that evoke the old club and its musical heritage. But he added, “We’re not trying to build CBGB. We’re not trying to make it into CBGB. What we’re trying to do is honor the past.” Mr. Varvatos emphasized that he has no rights to the CBGB name and that the new store would not make explicit reference to the club.
Mr. Varvatos said he felt a strong affinity for the Bowery and its distinct vibe. “I don’t think the Bowery is going to turn into a mall,” he said. “This store is not going to look like a mall store or a store that fits up on Madison Avenue. We’re not going to create a big glamorous storefront. It’s going to look like it sat there on the old Bowery.”
He added: “I have to do business. I have to pay the rent. But beyond that I want to be as respectful to the area and to the heritage there as I possibly can.”

[jimmi]

They should sell toilet bowls that come with grafitti aleady on them.
[:D]

[toyah]

but don't be surprised is there IS a tie in to the fore runner of CBGB,
the legendary MAX'S KANSAS CITY brand!!!

[MARV]

GQ names the John Varvatos converted CBGB boutique Number One Best Men's store in America. From the June, 2008 issue:

<a href="http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y271/marvymarv/?action=view¤t=CBGB.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y271/marvymarv/CBGB.jpg" border="0" alt="CBGB 1"></a>

<a href="http://s7.photobucket.com/albums/y271/marvymarv/?action=view¤t=cbgb2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i7.photobucket.com/albums/y271/marvymarv/cbgb2.jpg" border="0" alt="CBGB 2"></a>

[Bitter Almonds]

<p align="justify">The GQ article makes it lose cred. The spirit of Punk (and CBGB) was that none of that stuff was commercially viable. It's kind of ironic such a store exists... a bit of a high-end Hot Topic[}:)]