The day after Christmas, Chicken Alley Thrift Shop begins receiving an influx of gifts, décor, crafts supplies, wrapping paper and other yuletide goodies. The holiday castoffs keep coming all year long and volunteers dutifully store the goods until the next holiday season to be sold throughout the store.
This year, however, Chicken Alley is placing its holiday haul front and center for its first annual Thriftmas Holiday Shop. The shop opens this weekend with a year’s worth of holiday contributions set out on tables in the parking lot for easy access.
Thriftmas Holiday Shop takes place on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., said organizer Deb Blair. On display and for sale will be ornaments, wrapping paper, baking supplies, brand-new gifts, Christmas lights and more. All sales at the thrift shop benefit the Martha’s Vineyard Community Services.
“The hope is to make it so anyone on any budget can still get what they want for Christmas,” thrift store director Jessica Tartell said.
Ms. Tartell has volunteered or worked for Chicken Alley for nearly a decade, but it took some time for her to embrace the yuletide spirit.
“I didn’t like Christmas before I worked here,” she said, standing in front of a display of reindeer antlers, glittery snowflakes, miniature Christmas trees and a smiling, animatronic Santa Claus. “I always thought it was very commercial. But here, I really got into the holiday spirit. It’s not commercial – it’s very intentional.”
Although the event is geared towards those with a budget in mind, anyone can benefit from reducing waste and buying secondhand, Ms. Tartell said.
“A lot of the things here you can’t buy anywhere else anymore,” she added.
Ms. Tartell credited her dedicated team of workers and volunteers for keeping the holiday cheer going even as they sort through hundreds of holiday items each year. Thanks to their efforts, the secondhand store now resembles Santa’s Workshop.
Working on Martha’s Vineyard, Ms. Tartell said she has seen how the high cost of living and transient living situations common on the Island have taken their toll during the holiday season. The shop’s wide collection of vintage items and heirlooms also make it a popular destination for those celebrating far from home, Ms. Tartell said.
“Here, they can come and make their own traditions,” she said.
Another new tradition is being created by longtime Chicken Alley volunteer Anna Marie D’Addarie, who will be selling her clothing and accessory line, Hatched, at the Chilmark Holiday Flea at the Chilmark Community Center this weekend. All items are made entirely from unsold donated clothing, and all profits will go to Martha’s Vineyard Community Services, creating a sustainable loop with no scrap of fabric left behind.
Chicken Alley Thrift Shop is located at 38 Lagoon Pond Road in Vineyard Haven.
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