Former Paul’s Boutique, located in the lower East Side of Manhattan, was immortalized on the cover of the second studio album of the Beastie Boys in 1989. The famous shot was taken at the intersection of Rivington and Ludlow streets, and although it changed many times over the years, the place was for a time a restaurant named Paul’s boutique, as a homage to the album.
Apparently it is now a place called Three Monkeys, and it burnt down three days ago! The fire department received a call around 8pm and the fire was put out by 8:46 pm with no reported injuries.
Several people have been complaining about the noise coming from the Three Monkey place at night, and the boweryboogie.com is reporting that computer printouts, duct-taped in the neighborhood, were protesting against the loud music in the nighttime. But let’s not draw some hasty conclusions!
Thelodownny.com gave an update on the situation yesterday, saying the reason for the fire was still under investigation, but that the Three Monkeys is planning to reopen in 60 days, ‘better and improved’.
I haven’t found any comment from the Beastie Boys!