Physical Graffiti Vintage to Become Led Zeppelin-Themed Tea Shop

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For 16 years, the East Village building featured on the cover of Led Zeppelin's album Physical Graffiti has housed a vintage boutique, but now owner Ilana Malka has decided its time to ramble on. And while we're tempted to write this entire post in a series of Led Zeppelin puns, we'll spare you because the actual news is so much wackier than anything we could possibly dream up. Ready? Here goes: Malka is shuttering her clothing re-sale business and re-opening the spot in March as Physical Graffi-tea, a tea emporium specializing in loose leaf blends and powdered Japanese matcha.

The shop's St. Marks Place location remains iconic, with music nerds flocking to it from all over the world. (In addition to starring on the Zeppelin album, it was also featured in the 1981 music video for the Rolling Stones song "Waiting On a Friend"). But Malka explained to the The Local that there's just no market for vintage in the East Village anymore, a trend reflected in other thrift store closings over the past year. She'll be selling her leftover stock at flea markets and private parties, while co-worker Holden Bucy plans to operate an e-commerce site to keep in touch with current fans.
· An Overhaul At An Iconic Address [The Local East Village]
· The song remains the same: Physical Graffiti latest thrift store to shutter [EV Grieve]