David Letterman is about to lose two of his favorite neighbors.
Mujibur Rahman and Sirajul Islam – the grinning souvenir salesmen whose proximity to the Ed Sullivan Theater led to 87 appearances on Letterman’s “Late Show” – will lose their jobs one week from today, when K&L’s Rock America closes.
Mujibur and Sirajul – natives of Bangladesh and longtime Queens residents – say they don’t know what they’ll do next.
“We are thinking that maybe we can do something together if it is possible,” said Sirajul, 43, who lives in Astoria with his wife and daughter.
Mild-mannered Mujibur does not foresee them pursuing a career in show business. “I like working in what I do. That’s fine for me,” said Mujibur, 47, who lives in Jamaica with his wife and four children.
Mujibur and Sirajul made their first appearance on “Late Show” on Sept. 13, 1993, shortly after the show premiered.
Their fame made K&L’s Rock America a tourist destination, but the two men don’t own the store. The decision to close was made by owner Kay Lee, operator of two other souvenir meccas in Midtown.
Ms. Lee was unavailable for comment. But Mujibur said the store has suffered from a dropoff in tourists since Sept. 11, 2001.
George Djouni – chief operating officer for the company that owns the Ameritania Hotel, K&L’s landlord – confirmed the store has been on a month-to-month lease for around $12,000 per month.
Those familiar with rents in the area say the space could command more than twice that.
On Tuesday’s “Late Show,” Letterman said farewell to his two neighbors. “You always did a great job for us and we’re going to miss you guys,” he said.