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Now In Our 30th Year of Publication!
The Beginning
Since 1995, Clifton Merchant Magazine has worked hard to earn its place in our city’s history. It continues to do so in its 30th year of publication by holding up a mirror up to the community and showing what makes our city, businesses, and residents so vibrant.
Published the first Friday of every month, Clifton Merchant was created by our editor and publisher, Tom Hawrylko.Predating Clifton Merchant’s publication in October of 1995 was Hawrylko’s firm, Tomahawk Promotions. Tomahawk (short for Thomas Andrew Hawrylko) began in March 1990 by doing public relations, advertorial writing, fundraising, and advertising for regional and local clients.
Hawrylko’s focus shifted when an opportunity arose to help manage a street fair in Main Mall (now called Downtown Clifton), which needed a marketing boost.Paul Epstein and other retailers in the business district agreed to give Hawrylko $1,000 to pay for 30,000 copies of a 24-page magazine, which led to the Main Mall Shopping Guide. “That’s how it really began — with good stories about people’s businesses,” said Hawrylko in our 25th anniversary publication. “I know what people like to read and see. That’s the gift I have.”
Early Years
The magazine began with 23 advertisers, including Main Mall Business Association, Epstein’s, Clifton Electrical Supply, American Coin & Stamp, Belly Buster, and Clifton Dog & Cat Hospital. Hawrylko went door-to-door to distribute the magazine, leaving it on door steps, in mail boxes, or on cars or wedged in doors, as well as public spaces like City Hall, bagel shops, and stores.
Clifton Merchant’s November 1995 cover urged people to “Meet The Merchants. Clip Their Coupons.” December’s cover shouted: “Season’s Greetings! Clip The Coupons!” Hawrylko didn’t have a formula in those early days and found by January of 1996, he was not selling enough ads to cover the $5,000 needed to print and distribute 32,000 magazines.
Creating monthly themes is what made the difference — with early ones being a Salute to Veterans, Mother’s Day, and Shop Clifton First. But one theme stood out and ultimately put Clifton Merchant on the map and in countless homes. That was: Nostalgia & History.
Today
Nostalgia & History still does well with our readers, but Clifton Merchant evolved and found new ways to deliver its stories. Today, our magazine has a glossy cover and a monthly distribution of 14,000 magazines.
We’ve expanded our reach using Facebook and Instagram, where we often connect with community members for their insight and to highlight monthly stories.And, of course, there’s the Maroon, Gray & Mustang Traditions. Clifton school kids remain at the root of our storytelling.
From the musical Madrigals (now called the Mads) to reunions and every sports accomplishment in between, we celebrate Mustangs at every age level. We aim to tell the stories of kids who attend Catholic, private, public, and charter schools.
The Future
Clifton Merchant remains a vital piece of community storytelling, but it has overcome its share of challenges. These are represented by the posters that line our office wall with images of covers. Spaces where the covers for January and February of 1996 should be are blank.
There are also empty spaces for August and September of 1997. The empty areas represent the months when the magazine almost folded. We also did not publish one edition in our 25th anniversary year, in May of 2020, due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Clifton Merchant remains invested in being Clifton’s Storyteller. Whether we are uplifting our readers with new stories of achievements or reminiscing about our city’s storied past, we’re appreciative of all the people and businesses who’ve made the last three decades possible.
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Why Clifton Merchant Magazine?
Brand Recognition
Clifton Merchant Magazine has been the pulse of the city it serves for nearly 30 years. With a print run of 16,000 being distributed to merchants around town, you’re sure to get in the hands of potential clients.
Loyal Readership
From large chain businesses to small corner stores, you’re lucky to get a copy if you wait too long to pick one up. Find yourself inside the engaging Stories, Features and Profiles published every month, not found in any other publication.
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