Spring 2024

Benefiting the Community Treasures and Char i ty Abound at Carmel Thr i f t Stores B Y M I CHA E L CHAT F I E LD T he environmental benefits of recycling are indisputable. We’re all familiar with the “Three Rs” catchphrase: “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.” It applies to many things, most familiarly the recycling of things such as beverage containers, paper and cardboard. We put them in the blue can and forget about them. But there are other means of recycling, ways that not only give new life to unwanted items, but also provide a means of supporting many of our community’s worthy charitable organizations. In Carmel, that need is filled by three “thrift shops,” located at the mouth of the Carmel Valley and one in the valley itself. Yellow Brick Road, SPCA and Joining Hands Benefit Shops are all within an easy stroll of each other on Carmel Rancho Lane. Giving Tree is a mile or so east. They have a lot in common. All are mostly staffed by volunteers (though some have paid managers).They stock only donated merchandise, including clothing, household and kitchen items, furni- ture and art. And they all donate their proceeds to community organizations. Their suc- cess has been remarkable. Shopping at one of these establishments is like a treasure hunt. Every item is a dona- tion from a member of the largely affluent Monterey Peninsula community, and that means the merchandise is of a high quality. High fashion women’s and men’s designer clothing is priced at a fraction of its original cost, and it’s not at all unusual to encounter labels from Armani, Gucci, Ralph Lauren, Burberry and Hermes. But if something catches your eye, grab it, because it’s likely that it will be gone tomorrow. With these shops stocking such amazing finds at such great prices, are the volunteers ever tempted to buy things themselves? Absolutely. Joining Hands’ Mary Ann Spatoni says, “The volunteers all shop at each other’s stores.” And Pam Klaumann of Giving Tree shares, “The public has to see an item before we feel that we can buy it. But if I see something a second time, it’s meant for me,” she laughs. C A R M E L M A G A Z I N E • S P R I N G 2 0 2 4 135