BGBs has gone the way of Jim Morrison. The much-loved punk rock haven drowned in its own success and shut down before it became a living legend. A regular shit show ensued when the lease hit the market and the hole for gluttonous music hounds was ripped apart at the seams by a band of blood-thirsty corporate hyenas. You’ll never guess who managed to fight off all the rabid banks and fast food chains looking to get their hands on the prime real estate. It wasn’t a hard core fan/entrepreneur looking to “modernize the concept” or a sympathetic Blondie looking to have a regular venue to age gracefully in. It was American designer, John Varvatos.

I do apologize for the anti-climactic nature of the previous paragraph. I’m sure a resounding sigh of disappointment was emitted from all of you reading this piece. They might as well have rented the joint out to the Gap or Old Navy for all the good John V. will do for the location. As cheesy and sacrilegious as it sounds (I was appalled myself), the truth of the matter is that whatever would have taken CBGBs place would have been a huge disappointment. All things considered, the John Varvatos Boutique is a lesser evil.

Varvatos has infused a rock ‘n’ roll sensibility into his marketing and design schemes ever since brand’s debut. Now an international player in the world of men’s fashion, it seemed like a dream come true to be able to represent the brand out of the eminent venue. The interior has been left relatively unchanged right down to the bar and the walls full of graffiti. Along with his entire collection, a few Bowery street exclusive items and even Varvatos’ personal vinyl collection are on sale. For a clear glimpse at corporate expansion that provides an apt example of the sad direction the music business is headed, and to pick up those desirable Varvatos Chuck Taylors, drop by 315 Bowery. –J.T.

John Varvatos,
315 Bowery
New York. NY
212-358-0315