Ep 20 - Jessica Tartell from Chicken Alley Thrift Shop on how donations, community support and a growing thrifting industry are creating a significant source of income for MV Community Services Programs

In this engaging conversation, Sylvie Farrington interviews Jessica Tartell, the manager of Chicken Alley Thrift Shop on Martha's Vineyard. They discuss the shop's rich history, unique donations, and the vital role of volunteers. Jessica shares her personal journey from manufacturing promotional single use clothing overseas to seeing the value of helping the planet and our MV community alike by promoting shopping second-hand items. Sylvie and Jessica discuss how donations and the volunteer help provided by the MV community are two big reasons for the shop's success and rapid growth in the years since the pandemic. The conversation touches on the importance of creating systems within the shop so that the inventory stays fresh and the shopping experience is fun and pleasant . The conversation highlights the importance of sustainability, the thriving thrift industry, and the various programs offered by community services, including recovery support through the Red House. The episode concludes with a light-hearted discussion about a perfect summer day on the Vineyard. www.chickenalley.com Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/chickenalleythrift/ Ebay Store : https://www.ebay.com/str/mvcschickenalleythriftshop?_trksid=p2334524.m570.l113337 Chicken Alley is always looking for Volunteers Shopping : Tues- Fri 10-5 and Sat. 10-4, Donations : Mon- Sat. 9-4 or by appt. Donations of furniture require approval and donations larger than 4 bags or boxes need an appointment. A list of items Chicken Alley can not accept is on the website