Ties at Top Shelf Menswear in New Cumberland (Photo by Kate Penn)
Does he want tickets to a sporting event? Does he need another tie? What was that gadget he said he needed?
Ladies, it doesn’t have to be a hassle to shop for your husband, boyfriend, son, dad or brother.
Area business owners are ready to assist women who could use a little help crossing guys off their holiday shopping list.
Buy from the top shelf
David Wise opened Top Shelf Menswear in New Cumberland in May 2012 when he noticed that most area consignment shops catered primarily to women.
“I recognized that there was a need here,” he said.
Wise carries high-quality men’s coats, belts, jackets, coats, ties, suits, trousers, jewelry, shoes and accessories. The business is modeled after an upscale men’s shop and includes a range of designer fashions like Versace, Armani, Gucci and Burberry.
“Typically you’ll save about 70 percent off retail,” said Wise, who also offers gift certificates and on-site tailoring.
“Our goal is to provide our customers with the same quality and service offered in fine men’s shops, but at a fraction of the price,” said Wise.
For more information and store hours, visit www.topshelfmenswear.com.
Gadgets for guys
Radio Shack offers a whole host of items for the electronics enthusiast.
Red Lion store manager Rich Farbman said tablets are big this year.
“They range in price from $100 to $600 and $700 for the high-end iPads, and there are all sorts of options in between,” he said.
Employees are ready and willing to help customers who need advice on what to purchase.
“We will ask questions to determine their needs — any features or brands they are interested in or familiar with, who’s going to be using it and how they will use it. We can explain the differences between various models and suggest the proper accessories,” he said.
Farbman said Sol Republic headphones are also popular with male customers.
“They’re really high-quality headphones starting at $99 and compete with those in the $200 range.”
He said the the Sol Republic headphones are customizable with headbands of hundreds of colleges and different colored cords.
“We carry a lot of exclusive accessories with various sports themes,” he said.
The Deck, also offered by Sol Republic, is popular too, Farbman said. The wireless Bluetooth speaker boasts an impressive range of about 300 feet, nearly 10 times that of most available Bluetooth speakers today, he noted.
Go nuts
For the man who has everything, food is always a welcome gift. Virginia Nut Shop in New Cumberland has been catering to a variety of tastes for the past 30 years.
Customers can choose from among a large selection of nuts from pistachios to their signature “blisters.”
“Blisters are popular in the South,” Owner John Crispino explained. “They’re peanuts, which are boiled first, then wet-roasted in oil. They’re moister and crunchier and have a lot of flavor.”
The shop also carries a wide selection of candies, chocolates and even coffee.
“A family from New Cumberland married into a family who has a coffee plantation in Honduras and we carry their coffee, so there’s a local connection,” Crispino.
Customers are invited to visit and choose a few items for a customized gift basket perfect for holiday giving.
For more information and hours, visit www.virginianutshop.com.