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top shelf premium

Manhattan Digest’s First Fundraiser A Big Success at Gymbar!

by Ryan Shea

Manhattan Digest, Fundraiser, Manhattan Digest Fundraiser

This past Saturday night, Manhattan Digest held its first fundraiser at the best gay bar in New York City- Gym Sportsbar in Chelsea.  The event itself was held from 7-9 PM in the basement part of Gymbar, and included great giveaways like T-Shirts, Dog Tags and Trial Memberships from Scruff App.  The room was packed throughout with not only friends of mine and fans of the website but a ton of great people who came down and got in on the bidding action & donating for a great cause.  A month of hard work, promotion, donations and all of that paid off and the event was a huge success not only for the website but for raising money for cancer research and patient care.

Manhattan Digest Fundraiser
Credit to: Steve Alb

A big thank you to the following people and organizations as they helped tremendously to make the night a big success.  Rick Schmutzler, co-owner of Gym Sportsbar, for letting us have the event at your fabulous establishment and Serge Sturbois for being a fantastic and amicable bartender throughout the night and helping all of our participants out with a smile.  Thank you to my best friend in the world Nixon Saget who stepped it up ten fold and worked the front desk, encouraged people to donate and helped collect the donations throughout the two hours.  You are an amazing guy and friend and I really do appreciate what you did.  Thirdly, my buddy (and amazing photographer) Steve Alb for his amazing photography he took throughout the night.  Definitely give him a shout for your next event you are having, worth it!

Manhattan Digest Fundraiser
Credit to: Steve Alb

I would also love to thank the following companies and organizations who generously donated an item(s) for people to bid on.  We raised hundreds of dollars for this event with more coming in the next couple of days, and the general response from the people who showed up for the event was gleeful & excitement when they saw what they could bid on for a good cause-

The 414 Hotel

Crunch Gym

Fleshjack

Manhattan Digest Fundraiser
Credit to: Steve Alb

H Bake Shop

Best Barber in Hell’s Kitchen

Blue & Black Apothecary in Carroll Gardens

Hustlaball New York

Haru Sushi

Ugg/Deckers Outdoor Corporation

Out Professionals

Manhattan Digest Fundraiser
Credit to: Steve Alb

The Jolly Monk

New York Beer Company

House Of Brews

Coopers Craft & Kitchen

The Guerlain Spa

Upstairs at The Kimberly Hotel

Top Shelf Premium

Kenta Long Island

Buffboyz

Hard Rock Cafe: Times Square

Manhattan Digest Fundraiser
Credit to: Steve Alb

We will be doing another fundraiser hopefully in the next month or two, with more fab prizes you can bid on for another great cause… to be determined!  Thanks again to everyone who came and participated!!

 

 

 

 

Filed Under: ENTERTAINMENT, LGBT, LIFESTYLE Tagged With: best barber, blue black apothecary, buffboyz, Cooper's Craft & Kitchen, crunch gymf, deckers, fleshjack, fundraiser, h bake shop, hard rock cafe, haru sushi, hell's kitchen, house of brews, hustlaball, kenta li, kenta long island, kimberly hotel, manhattan digest, new york beer company, out professionals, the 414 hotel, the guerlain spa, the jolly monk, times square, top shelf premium, ugg, upstair, upstairs

Get to know Mark Edward of Top Shelf Premium

by Ryan Shea

Credit to: Joshua Scott

A couple of months back my good friend introduced me to guy this Mark and told me that I should feature him because he is doing big things in a really unique way.  Mark and I connected and he invited me to his showroom in the heart of Hoboken, New Jersey where I got to see his collection first hand.  Boy was I not only taken a back by what I saw but I also felt an instant throwback feel when I walked in.  Mark describes his brand Top Shelf Premium as “Wearable Vintage Garments” and by vintage we are throwing ourselves back to the early 90’s (so much so that he gave me a free copy of the PBS show “Ghostwriter” that was up on display.  This made me quite the happy guy).  From the music to the jackets to the hairstyle, it really screamed 1991 in so many different ways but for some reason it worked and gelled really well with the atmosphere at hand.  It quickly made me think that Mark was onto something here, and I should get to know the guy more to see how this crazy idea of his started in the first place.  A couple of days back, I got to know Mark and the company at hand.  Take a look.

How did you come up with the concept for “Top Shelf Premium”?

The concept came from a simple lack of money – I needed extra coin around the holidays. Ive always been a collector of dope vintage. I put a few things up on eBay and saw that it sold immediately. I always knew I couldn’t work for anyone – so I started a website – started selling on the streets and pushed my way into the game.

What about the name, where did that come from?

Funny – I used to make glass art work out of Top Shelf liquor bottles – I couldn’t see my self having a future in that scene so when I started  to succeeded with vintage I carried the name over.

What would you say is your mission statement for TSP?

I carry the dopest vintage in the game.

Do you think the clothes you provide can fit an array of people out there?

I love what I do – because when Im out shopping I find the piece and see the person that will wear it. I sell to all genres. Rock tees and leather for my grunge heads. Early Polo for the Lo-Heads.  Vintage sport jerseys and tees for the sports fan. Outrageous patterns for all my people with confidence and that are experimental with there style. And tons of acid wash for everybody!! Acid wash in my fav – everyone looks great in it to me!

When I went to your gathering I got a strong early 90’s feel. What draws you to that era so much?

It’s the era I grew up in. So I know it hands on. Been there – done that, you know? I just love bringing back amazing memories when things were a lot simpler. Before the iPhone where I can speak face to face with someone across the world – we had to get walkie talkies to talk someone 50 yards away.

Who are your biggest inspirations?

I love the hustle mentality. So any hustler out there I look up to. Doesn’t matter what your hustling – there’s pride and a sense of making it your own way. It means a lot to me. I just want to be like Sinatra and be able to say I did it my way.

Do you hope to incorporate any celebrities into your mix and if so who?

Ive worked along side a few celebrities so far. I wardrobed Macklemore for The Source Magazine. A big customer of mine is P-Thugg from Chromeo. Last week I spent a few days with Lil Debbie – styling her for the photoshoot we did for my website. (topshelfpremium.com)

I love to work with artist – it brings my clothes to a life that it deserves – so bring em on.

Say you were doing a fashion show. What kind of music blends well with the fashions and products you are providing?

I’m personally a fan of early 90s Hip Hop and super new upcoming hip hop. From Das EFX to Joey Badass. I hear that rawness and passion behind the voice. Same feeling I get about my business.

Any tips to upcoming small business owners?

DON’T STOP.

What is your ultimate hope for TSP?

Long term goal -I want to be known as that dude when it comes to vintage. Short term I want to be able to sell across county, hitting all the festivals, colleges and big cities. Be able to reach out and spread the vintage love face to face.

For more information on Top Shelf Premium and how you can become of what I believe to be the next craze in the entertainment industry, check out their main site, Instagram and Facebook pages.  Be on the lookout for this dude for real.

Filed Under: BUSINESS, FASHION, LIFESTYLE Tagged With: 1991, early 90s, ghostwriter, top shelf premium

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