21 Jul 2010, Posted by admin in Uncategorized, 0 Comments

target arrives in harlem with soul food, doug e. fresh and the toledos in tow

I headed to Harlem last night for the launch party for the opening of the first Target in Manhattan. Yes, we Manhattanites might be a lucky bunch, but we aren’t exactly rolling in the bargain megastores that populate the suburbs. I have to say it was one of the most interesting groups of people that I have ever seen at a fashion party. The likes of Jerry Seinfeld, Russell Simmons and Michelle Trachtenberg, mingled with invited guests from the community and some very enthusiastic store employees (one, who was helping me in the dressing room told me, “I just took my picture with Tyson Beckford, this is the best day of my life.”) Doug E. Fresh entertained the crowd in the center of the store on a stage replicated to look like the famed Apollo theater’s and there was a row of mini restaurants from Harlem including Melba’s, Mobay and La Fonda Boriqua set up offering some mighty tasty soul food. The Toledos, who have designed a collection of swimwear for Target’s arrival in Harlem (and have hinted at a possible future collaboration with Target) signed tee-shirts and talked to their fans. Others who designed specialty collections for the new star include superstar chef Marcus Samuelsson and 1970s fashion mainstay Stephen Burrows. The real guest of honor at the party though had to be Target’s Bullseye dog who posed for photos with guests. She (yes the Target dog is a she) had even been at the stock exchange earlier in the day to help ring the opening bell and I am even fairly certain she smiles (can dogs smile?) Anyway all in all it was a festive event, and I must say Target is a a much needed addition to the Manhattan shopping scene. Sure Bergdorfs and Chanel are nice, but every once in a while I need a onestop shop for everything from $1.99 tiaras to $24.99 towel sets to $4.48 lip glosses.

East Harlem Target opens to the public beginning on July 25th and is located at 517 E. 117th Street.

–Leah Bourne