17 North Beach Street
Nantucket, MA 02554
(508) 228-1515
Treasure Island
The virtues of secondhand shopping on Nantucket
Written by Antonia DePace
Photography by Kit Noble
"From 2021 to 2023, the global value of secondhand apparel rose from $138 to $211 billion,” states a recent article on EarthDay.org. By 2027, it is expected to reach $351 billion. These statistics demonstrate the popularity of buying secondhand across the globe and Nantucket is no exception. On an island where recycling and being environmentally conscious are second nature, buying from thrift or consignment shops serves two goals: one to find bargains and the second to reduce waste.
At the Hospital Thrift Shop, it is not uncommon to find high-end items like Limoges china, Chanel jackets, and Prada handbags at stunning discounts—just this year, a leather and cashmere-lined Loro Piana jacket that retailed for $5,000 sold at the shop for $995. But beyond the racks of clothing and shelves of household finds is an opportunity to help contribute to Nantucket’s Cottage Hospital.
Currently celebrating its 95th year, the nonprofit has donated over $7.5 million since its inception in 1929 by selling donated inventory. Last year alone, the shop donated $625,000 after covering its own expenses. Mary Casey, executive director of the Hospital Thrift Store, says, “Recently, we were the main contributors to the new state-of-the-art MRI machine. We also contributed to the rehabilitation PT building when that was being done, and then, last year, our funds went directly to housing, because we all know how important and difficult housing is.”
Due to the steady increase in interest for shopping secondhand, the thrift shop is projecting an even larger increase for the 2024 season. “Our success in achieving our mission—which is to serve the community with affordable goods and donate to the hospital—depends upon our success in engaging the Nantucket community to ‘Donate, Shop, Volunteer,’” Casey adds. “We have been fortunate in that it seems that we continue to grow both donors and shoppers, enabling us to give generously to the hospital each year.”
On Orange Street, the Rainbow Fleet shop has also seen an increase in the volume of buying secondhand. Specializing in designer and vintage styles, the consignment shop has more than quadrupled its inventory due to demand since opening less than five years ago—owner Kristen Hull estimates the shop sees nearly 10,000 clients annually. “We have reached max capacity for our floor plan,” she says. Hull does note some challenges of running the consignment shop, like budgeting for the off-season, but even then, she finds a way to give back to the island that gives to her. In addition to allowing island artists to utilize the store’s front porch, lawn, and parking lot space to display goods and host pop-ups, Hull has also given back Through fundraising events like her Fill a Bag event, which benefits A Safe Place, Hull has also given back. During the pandemic, she upcycled designer clothes that needed mending into masks and donated them to the hospital and Meals on Wheels drivers. Hull also works with the community to donate costumes and props for school theater productions. Any leftover inventory is either sent off-island to Goodwill on the Cape and other nonprofit programs or donated to on-island artists at no charge.
At Commonwealth consignment shop, Eileen Harkness attributes the growth in value for secondhand shopping to the younger generation.
She explains, “The younger generation is so much more aware of the impact on the world. And they’re definitely trying to mitigate the negative effects of what they are doing. There’s also been an increase in awareness about how the fashion industry is impacting the environment. I think that generation is very clued in to that.” At her consignment shop, which opened in 2017, she’s seen a steady 15 to 20 percent increase in sales every year.
The value of Nantucket’s consignment shops and thrift stores is clear and they give the entire island population access to items that might otherwise be unaffordable or unavailable. Whether it be designer items like Hermès leather bracelets, vintage Gucci luggage, or Seaman Schepps clip-on earrings, one thing is clear—Nantucket’s consignment shops are a place to find buried treasure.
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