Designer John Varvatos has opened a boutique at 315 Bowery, the legendary location of CBGB.
Varatos says that he kept some of the original CBGB fixtures such as the club’s walls, “punched-in holes, cracked paint and all”, as well as the ventilation system along with graffiti and band stickers.
“I really wanted this space to be a very cultural space, and by that I mean I want anybody to be able to walk in off the street and really sense the history that was here,” said Varvatos to MTV. He added that the entire basement was flooded with raw sewage when he moved in. “I wanted you to walk into the space and think it’s not a commercial space and feel like it’s about music, that it’s about art, that it’s about rock and roll. We wanted to marry history, rock and roll and fashion. What we’ve created is a unique environment and a unique cultural space.”
MTV has a video discussing the store.
MTV
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
He must of hired made in China (like most of the merchandise hung in the store) musicians to be employed there. NO PHOTOS NO PHOTOS screeched one thick as a brick urbanite as I was showing a guest of mine from Italy what used to be a rock club.(I was taking pix of things that Varvatos had not created ie. CBGB WALL RELIX)(although he’ll probably screenprint them on a $300.00 shirt eventually.) To which I promptly put him in his place informing him that I had come to and even played the former haunt in my youth many times. To which I recieved a shrug of indifferance. Angry….just a little…as a NY’r this new incantation although I’m sure through legal reasons only not called CBGB’S is still a place that launched many bands and minds and I just can’t swallow that he’s preserving the old joint. Just another toy for the guy I guess…..
Robert,
I can understand your frustrations. That kind of ridiculous behavior seems to happen alot with rock and roll historical monuments or what have you. I think its so retarded. You go to the rock and roll hall of fame and pay 20 bucks to get in or whatever and they won’t allow photos. How can you have facsist rules about rock and roll when rock and roll is totally about rebellion and anti fachist attitudes. This goon designer that opened up in CBGB’s storefront probably did so in order to feel hip. But yet is rejecting people that really appreciate the history of the legacy that CBGB had by not allowing photos of the store. And like you said he will probably figure a way to turn a buck by charging to get into the store or something because his clothes probably won’t out sell the lure of the CBGB stuff. Angers me also.
Fuck Varatos man !!! the new store has totally disrespected the punk rock legacy