Billy Leroy, owner of Billy's Antiques & Props located on Bowery and Houston puts on a farewell party on Friday March 9, 2012. The famous tent that once housed his business and what some may consider to be a New York City landmark will be taken down on March 10, 2012 to make way for a new building. Billy's Antiques and Props will reopen in the new building once it is completed. (Damon Dahlen, AOL)
Two weeks after Billy Leroy, owner of Billy's Antiques & Props, hosted a farewell party for his iconic tent a coffin still stands at the site in New York Friday, March 23, 2012. The local landmark, which has stood on that spot for 30 years, was taken down the following day to make way for a new building -- considered by many a symbolic blow to "the old New York." Hundreds of local artists, musicians and other residents turned out for Billy's "funeral," hosted by Leroy, the star of the upcoming series "Baggage Battles" on the Travel Channel. (Damon Dahlen, AOL)