Remember 'Homies' From The Vending Machines? This Man Lost Millions

Remember 'Homies' from the vending machines? This man lost millions of dollars on the Homie vending machine empire.

VICE traveled to New York City's overlooked borough, Staten Island, to learn how Sugarman developed a little vending empire—and just how he eventually lost it—one quarter at a time. In 1996 Bradley Ellison, a.k.a. Sugarman created Sugar Daddies vending business in Staten Island. He positioned 1000s of machines all through New York City in pizza parlors, grocery stores, as well as corner stores. Because of mostly in part to a cash economy, his company prospered, shaking down each neighborhood child for their lunch money in return for a sticky hand, bouncy ball, or even a handful of candies. In 2004, he finally made it big with the "Homies" collection (probably the most desired vending toy ever), grossing over $1 million in sales.

CAREFUL LANGUAGE NSFW 

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