Le Drugstore was a trendy Parisian-inspired establishment that opened in NYC in 1969, located at 64th and 3rd Avenue. It was a multimedia complex featuring multiple restaurants, bars, and boutiques that sold clothing, wigs, and other items, and was a social hub for the city's jet set. The venture was founded by Caroline Solovei and Olivier Coquelin, inspired by similar French concept stores.
Concept: Le Drugstore was an American adaptation of the glamorous Parisian "Le Drugstore" concept, which was more of a multimedia bazaar than a traditional drugstore or restaurant.
Location and opening: The first and only NYC location opened in May 1969 at 64th Street and 3rd Avenue.
Founders: The project was spearheaded by Caroline Solovei, a New York native who had been inspired by her time in Paris, and Olivier Coquelin, a French national and Korean War hero.
Key features:
Restaurants: It housed multiple restaurants and bars, including a popular mahogany and ostrich-leather bar.
Boutiques: The complex included 14 shops selling a wide range of items, from lingerie and see-through shirts to pants and wigs.
Atmosphere: The decor was chic and modern, designed to appeal to the "jet set" crowd, and was described as a place of "enchantment" and sensuality.
Partnership: Errol Wetson, the founder of the Wetson's hamburger chain, was one of the concessionaires running the restaurant portion of the establishment.
The NYC version of Le Drugstore has a glamorous, chic, and somewhat erotic atmosphere, inspired by its original French counterpart. It features sophisticated decor, a popular mahogany and ostrich-leather bar, and the overall vibe is intended to be luxurious and different, with elements like mirrors and a "sensuous" bar that "caresses" you when you lean against it, per Substack. The atmosphere is less like a typical American drugstore and more of a chic, high-end destination.
Chic and Glamorous: The decor is described as chic, and the original New York location featured lavish food and smart boutiques in addition to restaurants.
Erotic and Sensuous: The atmosphere was deliberately designed to be erotic and sensuous, with the bar being a key feature designed to evoke this feeling.
Unique and Unconventional: The space is intended to be unusual and different, with a maze of corridors and shops, rather than a conventional restaurant layout.
Sophisticated: The overall vibe is sophisticated and luxurious, contrasting with the idea of a typical drugstore.
PLEASE NOTE THE CONDITION OF THIS ITEM. IT WAS FOUND IN A NEW JERSEY BASEMENT DURING AN ESTATE CLEAN OUT. IT HAS WEAR AND TEAR AND CAN BE SALVAGED WUTH MOUNTING AND FRAMING.
IT MEASURES 14“ x 22“ ON GLOSSY PAPER AND HAS ONE PAGE OF THE MENU ON THE REVERSE.
CONTACT ME WITH ANY QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS.