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Hospital Thrift Shop 17 India Street
508-228-1125

For affordable, recycled clothing, gift items, housewares and furniture. Your purchase benefits Nantucket Cottage Hospital.

The Hospital Thrift Shop is open from Memorial Day through Columbus Day. Please call for more information.

Monday—Friday: 9:30 am—Noon & 1:00—3:30 pm
Wednesday: 6:00—8:00 pm
Saturday: 9:30 am—Noon
   


Volunteers Making A Difference:
Hospital Thrift Shop Benefits Hospital for over 75 Years

In 1929, a small group of dedicated women volunteers established the Thrifty Shop, selling affordable,recycled clothing and household items to benefit the Nantucket Cottage Hospital. In that first year, theThrifty Shop proudly raised $603 for the Hospital. Today, with the help of over 100 volunteers, the Hospital Thrift Shop's donation is typically well over $100,000

For over 15 years, the Thrifty Shop was originally housed in a number of rented quarters throughout theTown of Nantucket. Then in 1945 the business became incorporated as the Thrift Shop under the laws of the Commonwealth and elected a Board of nine members. Shortly after, the Thrift Shop purchased the Ayres house at 17 India Street for $7,500, securing a $3,000 mortgage from Nantucket Institute for Savings. In 1946, the Town granted the Thrift Shop its tax-free status as a charitable organization.

In the early days, the Thrift Shop volunteers relaxed with tea and cookies every afternoon, and this tradition is still honored today. Through the years, the women made children's mittens with yarn that was donated by local vendors, as well as jams and jellies and other food items, all of which were sold in the Shop. Originally, there was a consignment shop component, but as business grew, this became too confusing and cumbersome for the Thrift Shop volunteers to manage.

Initially, the Thrift Shop donations were deposited into the Hospital's General Fund, but through the years, this has also changed. Now the Hospital submits a Wish List to the Thrift Shop Board of Directors for its review and approval as to how the money raised that year will be spent.

The only paid employees for the Thrift Shop, a seasonal business, are the manager/ bookkeeper, Carol Chaves, and a newly created assistant manager's position. Martha Butler, who began by volunteering as a bookkeeper 30 years ago, held the position of President of the Hospital Thrift Shop for seven years, followed by Bobbie Giles, the newly-elected President who retired to Nantucket with her husband, Ken, seven years ago. Bobbie points out, “One of the main reasons we retired to Nantucket is because we have a wonderful Hospital here with expert staffing and up-to-date equipment. We don't have to leave the island for medical care.”
   
Bobbie also notes that the Hospital Thrift Shop would never survive if it weren't for the quality and quantity of volunteers, especially since lugging dusty books and furniture around is physical work. “The job is made a little easier because of the great esprit de corps and team work that prevail. The Hospital has shown its appreciation over the years by hosting a special annual picnic, and a couple years ago for our 75th anniversary, the Hospital sponsored a magnificent celebration at the White Elephant.” Bobbie also noted that for the volunteers, it's a social time, as well as a commitment to the Hospital, so it can be a very rewarding experience.

Rene Beach, who has been an active participant at every level for over 25 years, comments that “The college kids are often our first customers of the season. They need starched white shirts for their restaurant jobs, and it means a lot to them to get outfitted on a shoe-string budget.” Bobbie added that frequently one of their youthful customers will come in and say, “Oh, I just love this dress, but it's too big. Do you have it in a size 6?”

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Nantucket Cottage Hospital, an affiliate of Massachusetts General Hospital and a Member of Partners Healthcare, Inc.