Billy's big-top tent comes down this weekend; here's a last look inside

By now you probably know that Billy's Antiques on Houston at the Bowery has closed to make way for a two-story brick building... (Billy says that he will return!)

The iconic tent is coming down this weekend... Here's a last look inside the tent ...

Actually, you'll be able to take a look inside yourself starting tomorrow night at 7...

From the news release that is making the rounds...

After nearly three decades in business the infamous Tent housing Billy's Antiques and Props on Bowery and Houston will be taken down forever. Shop owner Billy Leroy, Proprietor Tony Goldman of Goldman Properties and the filmmakers behind "Dirty Old Town" a feature narrative that prefigured this moment, have come together to host a final farewell celebration. The evening will be hosted by renown New York writer and personality Anthony Haden Guest, featuring a line-up of eulogists and performers...

On the next day, Saturday, March 10th at 3pm, the tent will begin itʼs first phase of demolition. The tarps and fabric, enduring over 30 years of New York weather, both cultural and environmental, will be taken down forever. In a gothic burial ceremony, the “Flesh” of the tent will be peeled from the skeletal “Bones” of the structure and placed in a coffin. The coffin will be paraded around the block by pallbearers, while a funeral march is strummed by guitarist and tent-matriarch Lorraine Leckie. The coffin will be chained to the inside fence, and the remaining hollow structure will be painted fire-engine red in the days to follow. This theatrical end was the brain-child of landlord Tony Goldman, Leroy and filmmaker Jenner Furst...

Going out in style...

Meanwhile, you can catch Billy on the Travel Channel starting April 11...