Joseph Aquino, a lifelong New York City native born in Brooklyn near Ebbets Field, built a career brokering multimillion-dollar commercial real estate deals for luxury brands. He began selling kitchenware and perfume on the street while living at the George Washington Hotel. He later sold Kronotron skin diver watches door-to-door to store owners as personal gifts. After two years, he moved into the health club business, working at Jack LaLanne and managing high-end clubs, including New York’s Vertical Club. He then sold apartment buildings and investment properties, fell into debt, and filed for bankruptcy. In 1989, he joined Garrick Aug Associates and partnered with Faith Hope Consolo, known for finding flagship retail locations, securing stores across major New York districts and tracking changes from Madison and Fifth avenues to Hudson Yards.
"Aquino's story starts innocently enough, as evidenced by the book's title: "Memoirs of a Watch Salesman: A NYC Real Estate Story." He got his start in business, living at the gritty George Washington Hotel on Lexington Avenue and 24 th Street in Manhattan, selling kitchenware and bottles of perfume on the street."
"That eventually transitioned into selling Kronotron skin diver watches door-to-door to store owners, not for resale but as personal gifts. His boss was a methadone addict. After peddling his merch for two years, he went into the health club business, working at Jack LaLanne and ultimately managing its clubs and then New York's high-end Vertical Club."
"He started out selling apartment buildings in Harlem and other investment properties, but soon found himself in debt and filing for bankruptcy. But his fortunes changed in 1989 when he joined Garrick Aug Associates - and Consolo - and started leasing stores. Aquino became part of Consolo's international team and together they secured stores for brands ranging from Gold Pfeil to Maud Frizon."
"The book traces the evolution of Madison and Fifth avenues, the redevelopment of Times Square, the emergence of NoLIta, the Meatpacking District and Hudson Yards. And it details many of the trials and tribulations he encountered over the course of his career - including laws"
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