It is my pleasure to announce that the fourth semi-annual Top Shelf Flea Market was a great time and a great success. Consensus is, among vendors and patrons alike, that a good time was had by all. To say I feel gratified by the level of response we received is an understatement. "Humbled" is closer to the truth. As usual, I was far too busy to take many usable photos. The following will have to suffice.
A constant flow of people, at every booth. A friendly and enthusiastic crowd to boot.
Bobby from Boston as usual gives a lesson in how it's done. "We wanted a little more of a Motown 60s vibe with this years booth." Says owner Bobby Garnett. Note the white shoes and Chelsea boots. There was also an entire size run of deadstock permanent press stove pipe slacks with top pockets. A bit on the trim side for me, but perfect for the 24 year old set, who happened to be there in droves. In fact, one of the more gratifying aspects of the event was the sheer number of eager young people interested in all this old fuddy duddy stuff. Hope yet for the future, I guess.
Plastic Fantastic housewares to match your new stove pipe pants over at Nimco;s booth...
Loads of vintage bow ties at Newton Street Vintage....
I'm going to ask the Dilboy Post to install a working fireplace, to complete the erudite feel of James' booth. Not taking things too seriously, his Swamp Rabbit Books t-shirts bearing the famous John Waters quote "if you go home with someone and they don't have books, don't f*ck them" provided a dose of levity.
Kid Brother give a mean shoe shine. My old tassels never looked better...
Drappier Carte d'Or Champagne is a big pinot noir driven blend with a voluptuous texture, and heady scent redolent of yeast. Creamy and delicate all at once, it provided the perfect accompaniment to an order of take out sushi that was perhaps a bit too large. Thank you customers for helping me afford it....
...as well as this crazy heap that sits in my back yard awaiting insurance and inspection. I'm already calling it the Waspmobile. It's perfect for me: something made for old money New Englanders that is already old and a little broken when I got it. A perfect match to most of my clothes...
I might even leave the un-earned Brown decal on it, just for fashion. It's almost like buying a car at the Rugby store. I am by no means a car guy, and I'm not that into driving, but cramming a shops worth of stuff into a sedan is getting old, quick. Thanks for helping me with that, too.
As always, credit for the success of this event lies mainly with the vendors and visitors. I may work hard to pull this thing together, but it wouldn't mean a thing without the rest of you. Thanks.
p.s. the online Shop will be up and running again by the end of the week. Tons of new goodies on the way.
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26 comments:
This superb. I wish I would have know about it sooner I was Boston this last weekend for a sporting competition. Thanks for sharing.
I am so glad that you had a great turn out. I wish I could have attended. Cheers!
Congratulations on another success! May you have many more in the future.
" It's almost like buying a car at the Rugby store."
Just plain ass fucking brilliant. I've gotta steal this for my tumblr. May I?
You can't go wrong with a Volvo wagon, no sir. That's a 960, isn't it?
Is that Volvo a late 700 series? Well maintained, they last forever. Gotta love that red block engine!
Congratulations on another successful Top Shelf Flea! Very happy to see the great turnout, and I hope you enjoy the new ride!
I wore my new deep red Brooks's corduroys that evening! Great event, I can't wait for the next one.
I have been to each of your Fleas and they have gotten better and better...Congratulations.
In fact, they've become so good, you are on the verge of being a victim of your own success. You need a bigger venue!
Looks like we both celebrated with sushi, Joe...although I didn't buy a car (I bought a Barbour Bedale).
Thanks again for a great time!
We should do one every quarter or every other month!
1994 Volvo 940 wagon, thank you.
ADG, tumble at will.
Zach, we should just open a store together. Kill 'em all, like Metallica said.
It was a wicked pissa'! I scored some great duds and loved the prices at the booths and at the bar.
-YWP
W'anchor
I know for a fact that you can put a small-block Chevy V8 into a Volvo 940's engine compartment.
Some great shots of the Flea on the Handlebar Magazine's tumblr http://handlebarmag.tumblr.com/
An old Volvo wagon must be paired with a tattered old Tweed jacket. I drive a 1990 240 wagon with more than 260,000 miles. Unfortunately, in Texas, we don't get many opportunities to wear a Tweed coat.
LOVED my 940! It was my most favourite of all my numerous volvos, both here and in the uk!
That mustard-coloured waistcoat you're wearing at the shoe-shine booth, is it knitted?
Congratulations on another success of the Top Shelf Flea.
You need to leave an english riding saddle in the back of the Volvo.
A "pre distressed" saddle, of course.
Polo makes an inflatable english saddle for this very purpose. Or, to carry around in midtown wearing jodhpur pants and paddock boots.
Great old Volvo, but lose the Brown sticker. Don't fake the funk.
Had a friend with an old 240 from his father; it has 440,000 on it before it retired with a rotted windscreen frame.
Regarding the younger set: I think you're seeing a brief sine wave where fashion is vibrating at the same frequency as your style. This, too, shall pass and the thrift shops, Andover cast-offs and JPress bargains will once again be left to those of us who simply dress this way -- out of fashion once more.
Just got back home, had a fine time at the Flea, and a pleasure to meet you. The Cordial Churchman tie has already gotten some compliments.
Where did you find that great Volvo? I had a 940 and absolutely loved it!
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