John Varvatos discussing his CBGB store on Fox news (video)

why are people so against this store? yeah his clothing his a little pricey, but what clothing boutique isnt?

would be really of rather of had a bank, or a subway? at least he's trying to preserve some of the history of the space. you could argue that he's merely commercializing an authentic part of the new york and rock culture, but then so did the cbgb's t-shirts.

i'll admit though, i'm kinda biased. i love his clothing. (wish though i could afford more than one or two pieces a season)

Attn: 12:43

As someone who grew up inside CBGB's shows and spent a majority of his adolescence in there, I would rather it be a bank or a subway.

Varvatos isn't preserving the CBGB's legacy, he's polluting it by associating his expensive clothing line with it.

The two couldn't be more contrary or opposed and the vast majority of New Yorkers who felt at home in that space feel anything but at home there now, nor could they probably be able to afford anything he is selling.

So, if CB's is gone - I'd rather it be clear CB's is gone than let it be pimped out and redefined as something it wasn't.

Varvatos is distorting a legacy, not descending from it as he would have you think.

This is manipulative marketing, nothing more.

CBGB was part of the 1970's NYC.
Boutiques/yuppies are part of the 2000s NYC.

They both fit well in their context.

I agree with Anon 12:43. What would you rather have in that space? Music clubs and CD stores simply can't afford that neighborhood's rent anymore. It isn't like anyone that goes to see shows lives in that area now anyway.

Any non knock-off fashion label is going to be pricey, but at least Varvatos geniuenly gave a shit enough to preserve some of CBGBs feel and history. Would Duane Reade or Chase have done that?

duane reade is the new daft punk

When does Justice open their clothing store in Tonic?

"preserve some of CBGBs feel and history."

I don't see how he's preserving anything. "No Thanks" is right - he's using the space as a marketing tool to help sell his clothes.

I played CB's three times and it was amazing to be there. I was sad to see it go. I don't mind the store or if it would have been a bank but there is something about having bands play that is just weird to me. It's like a "ghost" that haunts instead of memory that you enjoy. But things always change.

I'm pretty sure Varvatos used rock and roll to sell clothes well before they opened in CBGB.

you have to admit the current trend of rock inspired fashion is far superior to the hip hop fashion hybrid that was the 90's.

The Fillmore East is a Duane Reade. I'd rather it at least be a drugstore with trippy lighting.

Fistly, everything with any popularity is eventually co-opted by a brand waxing nostalgia. And no, this is not preservation, it is assimilation. There's history, and then there's the kitsch that gets sold as history. With that said, it is interesting that the birth and death of punk is bookended by clothing boutiques (Malcolm McLarren, anyone?).
Still, can't wait for those great "up-and-coming" artists to perform there. I'm sure their wardrobes will be supplied... "Tonight: Levi's Skinny Jeans with special guest, Dishwalla!"

They should've put in a Hard Rock Cafe instead.

CBGBs was shit

now thats punk

Ah, the success of No Child Left Behind... I guess copyeditors are dying off. Lengendary? CGBG?

Gorbert- punk was around long before McLaren,

watch this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=88QLxLHQW_M

"I'm pretty sure Varvatos used rock and roll to sell clothes well before they opened in CBGB."

Guess again: Varvatos "entered sales at Polo Ralph Lauren in 1983..."

http://www.ekathimerini.com/4dcgi/_w_articles_civ_2_16/11/2007_90177

Oops, never mind, I read that as "well before they opened CBGB" (no "in").

ok I knew it, this guy ia NOT punk, here are his favorite bands- The Who and Led Zeppelin? Not punk. He should have been listening to Velvet Underground and New York Dolls.

Here are the people he used in adds: Iggy Pop, Joe Perry, Chris Cornell, Velvet Revolver and more recently Alice Cooper.

3 of those 5 are pretty garbage. only legit punk guy is Iggy Pop. Velvet Revolver prob one of the worst acts in history of music.

you bald bourgeois motherfucker. fox news???? not any "retail" around there???? you captialist fuckhead. "we love Target?" you square asshole. fake liberal charity show (read: it give you good PR). "merger between, of course, commerce..." you fucking opportunist dickhead. launch these in malls across america??? "i'll come back (to Fox News) ANYTIME YOU WANT ME TO."???? YOU FUCKING SQUARE.

"The Fillmore East is a Duane Reade. I'd rather it at least be a drugstore with trippy lighting.

Posted by Davy Baby | April 11, 2008 1:53 PM"

You idiot twat. The Filmore East is a bank now.

i'd rather have a bank.

"kind of like a merger" says Varvatos? kind of like fucking a dead person for money, says me.

i don't see how this is worse than a regular business. at least he's trying to preserve something.

I LOVE IT!

ok I knew it, this guy ia NOT punk, here are his favorite bands- The Who and Led Zeppelin? Not punk. He should have been listening to Velvet Underground and New York Dolls.

Posted by Anonymous | April 11, 2008 2:42 PM

Not to defend Varvatos or the store, I haven't made up my mind if it's helping to preserve the history of CBGB's or skewer it even more... but i'm pretty sure most people will agree the The Who are punk, go listen to "My Generation". They might be the mod-est punks ever, but they were punk.

Clothes store?What a dope.

a fucking bank would be better. at least with a bank you KNOW exactly what you're getting. a bank is more honest about what it does, than this bourgeios motherfucker.

If anyone actually things CBGB's was anything other than a glorified T-Shirt seller anyway for the past 10 years, you need a slap. At least this clown is doing something to keep a little of it's 'legacy' alive. And, really, who will give a shit in a year or two?

you know what would have made more sense? if they'd put a BCBG where CBGBs used to be.

(oh, and varvatos? his shit is just dopey and middlebrow; it's for dudes who wanna shop at nordstrom's but still want to be a little edgy on the weekend. banker gear. which is fine. but it's not fashion; it's marketing.)