Tucked away almost out of sight is a true island gem: Margaret Ryan, 97 ½ years old happily receiving your money and assisting in any way she can every Monday morning from 10-12 at Sharp Coronado Hospital’s “Second Best Shop.” The name refers to secondhand but I beg to differ given the friendly staff of volunteers and call it the Best Shop.
Margaret has been staffing the delightful little shop filled with island donations for over 20 years but has been volunteering in the community since about 1974. Before the thrift store, she volunteered with Meals on Wheels until one of her friends who was in the hospital auxiliary suggested she join the team. Margaret is a petite, energetic, friendly volunteer who greets everyone with a smile. She is a stickler though when it comes to anything without a price tag. No tag, not for sale. She is not letting anything get by her. She is a tiny powerhouse. Margaret moved to Coronado in 1960 and lived here until her husband retired in 1969. They moved to Texas but returned for good to the island four years later. When she is not volunteering you may find her playing bridge or visiting with her family; a son and daughter in Coronado. Margaret has 12 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. The answer was a resounding “no” when asked if she had any great, greats.
Margaret said she is still volunteering because of the people. Not only the residents and visitors who shop, but also the other volunteers. Put simply, she said it’s fun. The people are fun.
It’s pretty clear that it must be fun given that all the volunteer staff have been there for quite some time. Nancy D’Angelo, 85 years old, has been an island resident for 22 years and working at the boutique for about eight years. She said she enjoys meeting the people.
Marsha Alison has been volunteering for about 14 years. A few years after she and her husband moved to Coronado 18 years ago, he told her to “get out of the house, and the hospital thrift store would be a good place,” and she’s still there. She too enjoys the people, the customers, the laughter, and chatting.
Sue Kjoller began volunteering back in 1993, soon to be joined by her husband Ken. They ended up managing the store for about 15 years. That baton was passed but they still show up for their in-store shifts as a team. Ken recounts the days when he would take his pick-up truck around to the garage sale addresses on Thursdays; about 11 am when the sales were winding down he’d ask for any donations to take back to the store. He also shared that they used to do pick-ups and recalls a very challenging 8-foot couch in an elevator at The Shores. The store is quite small; in fact, it was originally part of the hospital and one customer shared that she had actually been in that room when she had her baby. Needless to say, that couch was too large for the space and was quickly priced to sell. The store no longer does pick-ups or collecting after garage sales. The store has made it a policy to no longer accept large furniture items. Mary Kerly, who keeps track of the volunteer hours, says Sue and Ken still come in with the most hours weekly.
The volunteers all agreed, and made sure I knew, that the store would not be what it is today without the leadership of Jade Garza, the thrift store coordinator. I met Jade on the first day I stopped by to chat with the staff and learn more. Her enthusiasm had me believing she must be on the payroll; come to find out, she is a volunteer like everyone else. The staff members are happy they have someone who is less than half of some of their ages, who can muscle things around if she needs to and like the rest is happy to be serving.
The cute little shop is open Monday-Friday 10-5 but donations can be made 24/7 thanks to the donation bin located in front of the store. If you want a tax-deductible receipt you will need to make your drop off during store hours.
The money collected through sales goes to the Auxillary fund and ultimately back to the community through a variety of programs.
The staff reminded me there would be no store without donations and encourages the community to remember they are there and are always grateful for your pass-me-on second bests. They also encourage anyone who is looking for some fun and feel good vibes to consider joining their party as a volunteer.
I made my first of many drop-offs on my third visit to the store and when I am ready to donate some of my time, you will probably find me at Second Best Shop, where fun and finds are found.
The shop is located at 1513 Third Street, west of the emergency room entrance of Sharp Coronado Hospital. It is tucked back a little but not to be missed. For more information about volunteering, call 619-522-3756.
