Topic: Shopping

Vendors on Nantucket offer incredible goods from works of art to antiques, toggery to portuguese bread, but the discerning Island shopper now has another reason to stay on Nantucket. Bartlett’s Farm is offering wholesale goods at their Cisco store.

While a trip to the mainland might be healthy every once in a while, it can sometimes break the bank. However, the new wholesale section at Bartlett’s Farm offers everything from diapers to Ziploc bags in bulk right here on Nantucket.

That's not all at the Farm. MJ Mojer, the Executive Chef at Bartlett’s Farm, is always cooking up something hot and eclectic, and shares her trade secrets with weekly classes. Stay tuned to our Events Calendar for her classes and don’t forget to sign up for our Plum Newsletter.

Check out the video below for information.

Since 1929 (yes, 77 years) the thrift shop has been run by dedicated and hardworking volunteers on Nantucket. Last year, over $100,000 was raised for The Nantucket Cottage Hospital.

Year-round resident Carol Chaves has been managing the seasonal location for four summers. She also acts as the bookkeeper for the shop. The Hospital Thrift Shop, she said, is not run by Nantucket Cottage Hospital. Rather, she explained, it is the shop’s charity of choice, as per their original charter.

“The Hospital Thrift Shop owns this building, we are in no way affiliated with the Cottage Hospital,” she said, “We’re able to raise money to donate to the hospital over the years.”

“We try to offer all kinds of goods at reasonable prices for the community here in the shop,” said Chaves, “There’s no major department stores here. We get a lot of foreigners, community members, and other people who can’t afford the prices on the Island.”

Take your pick, because The Hospital Thrift Shop has everything you could ever need, from plates and bowls to couches and chairs to mystery books and ladies' suits. “The community generously supplies us with the products,” Chaves said, “Without the support of the volunteers and the community there wouldn’t be a thrift shop.”

“The best part of this is it’s a community service to both the volunteers and the community. We’re able to help a lot of people out there from all walks of life here, and without the support, we wouldn’t be so successful,” credited Chaves. Her rotating staff of about 95 volunteers are both seasonal and year-round residents, from young children to senior citizens and college kids. She added, “A gentleman volunteered his time to help me do pick-ups [for furniture]. That was huge for us this year.”

The Hospital Thrift Shop opens up for a month and a half of donation-drop-offs in the beginning of April, and then opens up for your shopping pleasure the end of May. If you’re lucky enough to be around in October, on 10/8-9 are half-price days, and 10/10-11 are their free days. “What we don’t clear out we bring to the dump,” Chaves said, “That way we start a new year with all new merchandise.”

For more information on donating to The Hospital Thrift Shop, please contact them at 508.228.1125 or take a look at The Hospital Thrift Shop's Web site.

The 14th Annual Nantucket Folk Art & Artisan Show is underway and is helping to raise money for the Small Friends of Nantucket.

Jane Miller of Small Friends said, "[We are] raising money to open a new facility. They plan on breaking ground this fall and hope to open their doors in 2008. So far, Small Friends has raised $2 million and needs to raise $1.5 million more to finish the project."

The show, which began with its' preview party Thursday evening on Nobadeer Farm Road, showcases over 50 nationally and locally recognized artisans selling their wares. The cost at the door is only $10.00 per person. Francine Balling, President of Small Friends, said, "The proceeds from the door go towards the operational funding of Small Friends."

"The school is really about the working parents of Nantucket,” Balling continued, “We're a full-time, year-round educational institution [that helps parents with all different kinds of jobs]."

Vendors at the event included local artist David Lazarus, Island Images, and even some vendors who traveled from across the country from states like Iowa, Michigan and Indiana.

Rick Pratt, owner of Around The Bend Willow Furniture, has been at the event since it began 14 years ago, said "The attendance, the quality of art, and the benefit [have all grown]."

Make sure to stop by the show on Nobadeer Farm Road for everything from copper fish to elegant weaves.

For more information on how you can help Small Friends of Nantucket call 508.228.6769.