543 Painter

What's up with the door at 543 Eighth Avenue in Manhattan?

This is the building that holds the infamous Distinguished Wakamba Cocktail Lounge. To the right of the bar is the tall, narrow, old, old, old entrance to the building. Boy, this doorway doesn't look like it's been changed or improved since it was erected. Perfect doorway to duck into if the cops are chasing you.

Anyway, in the window about the door, in gold leaf, is the word "Painter." What gives? There's no directory or buzzer, so I have no idea if there's a painting business in the upper floors. Doubt it. Was the building owned by someone named Painter once? There's a possible clue in the building records. In 1920s, the upper floors were "showrooms." Showrooms for painters, perhaps? But in the 1930, the second floor was a restaurant, and the others a factory.