Still Partying at Napoli’s: While We’re Waiting

Ahh, the Thursday on the edge of a long weekend. And not just any long weekend, my friends. The long weekend on the edge of fall. DANG. How’d we get here already? Feels like just yesterday we celebrating that wonderful parade in June, doesn’t it?

But I’m not ready to say farewell to sundress season just yet. Hit pause on that pumpkin spice, please. Let’s soak up as much of summer as we possibly can. There are lakes to jump in and hot dogs to grill and baseballs to swing at. Fall can wait. Let’s do this.

Everyone Wants to Party at Napoli’s

A few weeks ago, I had the loveliest of chats (i.e. I slid up in his DMs) with the man known to most as @HipsterTito, prominent fixture on Indians Twitter, dad to three, all-around nice guy and—most important to this story—inventor of the Cleveland phenomenon known as Party at Napoli’s.

At the time, I shared with you the story of how Nate Crowe, the nice guy behind @HipsterTito, had attended a Friday-night Tribe game in late April. Wanting to make some goofy signs that would get attention and make fellow fans laugh, he brainstormed messaging for an oversized sign with friends.

“How about ‘Party at Napoli’s?’” Crowe said at the time. “We’ll shout it out when the team does something on the field to insinuate there will be a victory party at his place.”

Armed with a huge sign and a grin just as big, Crowe intended on generating nothing more than a few smiles at that overcast, early-season game. Turns out, he’d go on to generate slightly more than that. Crowe would eventually team up with Tribe first baseman Mike Napoli, the Indians and T-shirt company 108 stitches to create a Party at Napoli’s shirt that would spread like wildfire among Indians fans. And now, just over four months and 9,000 sales later, that shirt has raised more than $120,000 for Cleveland Clinic Children’s.

Allow that to sink in for just a minute. One hundred and twenty thousand dollars raised for a charity in four months. All because of a clever sign—and a well-connected fan base.

“Nine thousand shirts and $120,000 is really a crazy thing when you put it in perspective,” said Crowe to WFNY. “It really wasn’t “supposed” to happen that way but wow did it ever. It’s still unbelievably special to hear it mentioned on TV, to see the shirts around town or meet absolute strangers from all over who just want to join in on the fun. Getting to meet Mike and introduce him to my immediate family was an incredible experience. What’s pretty ironic about that day is that we both said upon meeting each other, “Wow, this is taking off!” when the donation amount had just reached $9,000. Here we are are a little over a month and a half later and an additional $111,000 in donations. The whole experience has become a perpetual ‘pinch me’ moment.”

Since the launch of the shirts, Crowe has had fans from other cities approach him in praise of his efforts. His mother, who wanted to surprise him during a family event by showing up in one of his shirts, walked to the stadium only to find that they were completely sold out—something that she was happier to have seen.

What’s next for Crowe and Party at Napoli’s? An actual Party at Napoli’s, so to speak. On Sunday evening, the Indians will host an exclusive event for fans at the Corner Bar, approximately one hour after the end of their game against the Miami Marlins.

For $75 a ticket, fans will have the opportunity to interact with Tribe players, enjoy light refreshments, have access to a cash bar, and receive a limited-edition red Party at Napoli’s shirt. Proceeds from the event will benefit Cleveland Clinic Children’s, VeloSano, and Cleveland Indians Charities.

“I’m excited for everyone to see what 108 Stitches has planned for the near future,” said Crowe. “Fans will be able to get their hands on a limited edition red version of the original shirt. And the part that follows? Well… The magic number needs to be at ‘0’ first before that is revealed. Some parties were meant to last.”

Tickets to the Party at Napoli’s are very limited and can be purchased here using the password “Napoli.”

While We’re Talking About PAN…

Pardon me, sweet readers, while I rant for just one second. For the love of God, Cleveland, please stop buying knock-off “Party at Napoli’s” shirts. Maybe you don’t know any better, or maybe you’re just cheap and lazy and lame, but if you’re walking around in a Party at Napoli’s shirt that isn’t the Party at Napoli’s shirt… you kind of look like a jerk. Kind of a big one.

You’re literally giving your hard-earned nickels to someone who ripped-off a design intended to raise money for sick children.

The shirts sell out quickly from the team shop, I get it. Let me help. Order yours directly from the kind folks at 108 Stiches here. Easy enough, right? Not only will you be benefiting Cleveland Clinic Children’s, you won’t look like a total jerkface. Win win!

Terminal Tower is Lit—And Staying that Way

Back in the spring, it was announced that Cleveland real estate conglomerate K&D Group was purchasing Terminal Tower from Forest City Realty Trust. K&D, the largest owner of apartments in the region, quickly announced plans to fill part of the 52-floor Terminal Tower, arguably the defining building of Downtown Cleveland’s skyline, with luxury apartments.

What makes Terminal Tower unique, aside from its impressive architecture and family of peregrine falcons that take up residence on its 12th every year, is its @TowerCityLights Twitter account. As someone who has been quite obsessed with the account for quite some time, I can tell you that its wit, Cleveland pride, and ability to change the color of the Tower’s lights at a moment’s notice make it one of the most genuinely cool aspects of our Downtown landscape. Whoever runs the account interacts with fans on Twitter in real time, often changing the color of Tower’s lights to grant special requests, celebrate occasions or help organizations raise awareness.

I worked in Terminal Tower for a short while, and was once told that a marketing person at Forest City ran the account—and that he had a one-of-a-kind app on his smartphone that allowed him to control and change the Tower’s lights at a moment’s notice, no matter where he was. (How cool is that, if it’s true?)

All was good in The Land, until a vague but somber tweet on August 25 warned followers that the account might soon be going quiet.

Could you imagine the Terminal Tower without this Twitter account? If not you may want to start…. #ticktock https://t.co/thqb8LLpic

— Terminal Tower CLE (@TowerLightsCLE) August 25, 2016

Fans of @TowerCityLights—myself very much included—basically freaked out. Word spread quickly (as it tends to on social media), and a simple Google search turned up news coverage of the account’s closing from across the county.

Very sad to hear. Thanks for all the great pics, views, colors on request, and fun tweets.

— Monte the Color Man (@Monte_Colorman) August 29, 2016

.@TowerLightsCLE WHY? pic.twitter.com/XP8aG9pEaX

— Rebecca Sinatra (@rebeccamsinatra) August 29, 2016

https://twitter.com/WALK0730/status/768793924110393344

Deep breath, Cleveland, because it appears—at least for now—our beloved @TowerCityLights will glow on.

https://twitter.com/susman28888/status/771115251148451840

WHEW. Am I right? Here’s hoping the account is here to stay… and that the charming personality of @TowerCityLights doesn’t miss a beat.

And here’s hoping your Thursday is great and summery and pumpkin-spice free. Enjoy, you guys!