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Top Shelf, Indeed
Agency specializes in meeting uncommon personnel requests for special events and parties
Top Shelf staff with style guru Tim Gunn
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It’s getting close to five o’clock in the evening and the office of New York City’s Top Shelf Staffing is still buzzing away. “I just got a last minute call,” Vincent says with a grin. “They want five models over 5’11" and they need them by tomorrow.” As strange as this request may seem, Vincent barely bats an eye as he begins working diligently to fill the order. “You wouldn’t believe some of the calls I get,” he laughs. “But it’s their party. So they should have whatever they want. I mean, at the end of the day, good staff makes the best parties.” And from what I’ve already seen at some of these events, Vincent is exactly right.
With the countless openings, corporate events, premieres, and private parties springing up daily all over New York, it isn’t surprising to learn that the need for staffing agencies is great. Yet, not all agencies are created equal. “Oh, I’ve worked for places that barely knew my name,” one of Top Shelf’s model staff recalls. “But not with Vincent. Not only does he know everyone’s name, but he’s aware of their strengths as well. When Vincent calls you up, it’s because he believes you are exactly what the client is looking for. And he really does want to make the client happy and have them enjoy their own party.”
It is incredible, as you look around Top Shelf’s offices just a block away from Herald Square in Manhattan, that after twenty years of staffing experience, owner and founder Vincent Braccia, still personally works with every client, insuring the utmost care and attention to each special occasion. Most calls ask for general wait staff and bartenders, but every one out of five seems to require something unique; from “Daisy Duke” look-a-likes to men that have a classic Italian appearance. He’s even been asked for chefs, party ideas and mimes. And whatever the client wants, no matter how seemingly uncommon, the client gets it every single time.
I watch carefully as Vincent, with the help of his office staff, continues to buzz around, making sure those few last-minute parties get as much attention as the parties that have been booked for months. Yet what stands out most is Vincent’s calm and contentment. Even as the clock pushes closer to six, Vincent is still hard at work, making sure all lose ends are tied up. I ask him exactly why he got into this business in the first place. He stops a moment and thinks. Then, with that same simple, yet sincere, grin, he answers, “Contrary to what some may think, this business is all about people. And I really like people.”
Top Shelf Staffing provides experienced personnel for all types of special events, promotions and private parties, matching you instantly with some of the best servers, bartenders, model staff, chefs, hostesses, coat check attendants, butlers and doormen in New York City and surrounding areas.
For more information, visit www.topshelfstaffers.com or call Vincent Braccia personally at his New York office: 212.842.1033.