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swap shops

    RESTOCKING

    Swap Shop Finds

    Minimalists can now unload, and that means offbeat decorations for the rest of us

    By

    The Outer Cape’s swap shops are re-opening, and that’s welcome news for those whose anti-materialist leanings went unsatisfied during these long months of isolation. De-acquisitioning that odd lamp (still working), grandma’s tea set (missing just one cup), or picture frame (sans the artwork that it once adorned) is a relief to the minimalists among us. But even happier are those whose decorating style runs to the unmatched and the faintly antique. Here’s a report, highlighting finds of the week from Wellfleet, Eastham, and Truro.

    (Although the automated voice on the phone says it is open, the Provincetown swap shop remains closed, according to the town’s website. The DPW did not return calls asking about the reasons and outlook.)

    Wellfleet

    It was once Town Moderator Dan Silverman’s house. The Wellfleet swap shop now sits on a little hill with strategic views of the rest of the transfer station. The dump’s “anchor store,” as summer worker Lenny Federico refers to it, looks like nothing more than a weathered shack. But through a window, a hint of its peculiar allure can be discerned: a random assortment of vases, cutlery, furniture, and assorted items inexperienced collectors might call dreck.

    Inside, the once overflowing shelves now look lonely, furnished with significantly fewer items than in previous years. Like the other swap shops, Wellfleet’s was emptied and cleaned after the peak of the Covid outbreak, so the inventory is just beginning to be rebuilt. Still, the snow skis straddling the rafters and the out-of-season snowman mugs provide a homey ambience.

    The items in stock are not what make the swap shop special. Bethia Brehmer, a longtime volunteer here, says that the swap shop is a meeting place and a home for the community. Here is where she meets her favorite people.

    One item that was recently dropped off is a testament to the oddities assembled at the Wellfleet swap shop: a large, vintage branding iron with the letter “S.”

    Eastham

    The swap shop is the building that visitors first encounter when entering the Eastham transfer station. A conglomeration of three connected shacks, the swap shop here resembles a festive marketplace with different stations. Not only is the shingled outside plastered with welcoming signs, but every beam, post, and rafter is covered by a variety of posters touting everything from beach destinations to bygone political figures.

    The lighthearted look of the place belies the value contained inside. Joanie Bakunas, a swap shop volunteer and a visiting nurse, says the swap has supplied blankets and home necessities to many of her patients. It’s a place, she says, that “makes a lot of people go away happy.”

    Sitting on a table outside the main shack was a group of nine archery trophies that ranged from 1st to 3rd place. There were initially 14 in the collection. But one swap shop customer had already brought five of them home. Perfect if you’re organizing your own archery tournament, though some might just like the sporty look.

    Truro

    “The swap shop saves lives,” said Elizabeth Yingling while recounting the story of a man who would frequent the Truro swap shop as a way to deal with family difficulties at home. “If not here, then where would he go?”

    The Truro swap shop, although more sparsely merchandised than the other outer Cape swap shops, is a well-loved gathering spot. It is also well organized. Three chrome clothing racks create an island of clothes in the center of the shack, leaving open space all around for other items.

    The ordinary-looking gray shed is actually a treasure box where books, trinkets, and sometimes even canned food can be had, easing the burden on Truro residents without money to spare.

    This swap shop, too, is home to some peculiar finds. For example, pictured below is a miniature chef pig. Perchance a welcome visitor to your next soirée?

    Swap Shop Days and Times

    Wellfleet: Open Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday 8 a.m. to 12 noon

    Eastham: Open Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

    Truro: Saturday through Monday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

    Provincetown: Closed.

    Treasure

    In Eastham, a Place for Give and Take Reopens

    Pent-up demand, for treasures and connection, at the Eastham Swap Shop

    By

    EASTHAM — The Swap Shop, regulars will tell you, offers much more than the junk within its walls. For one shopper, it’s a chance to find a “hidden treasure.” Another says, “It’s the best store in Eastham.”

    So, when the two-room Eastham Swap Shop — or, as a sign on the side of the building reads, the Eastham Stock Exchange — reopened on June 16 on the grounds of the town dump after a 15-month pandemic hiatus, the regulars were there.

    Goods piled up, in spite of a Dept. of Public Works policy asking people to hold off on donations.

    “I love it,” said Eileen Miller as she browsed. “I’ve missed it.”

    The rules of the Swap Shop are simple: Eastham residents can donate used stuff, as long as it’s in good condition, and can take anything in the shop for free.

    The volunteers on day one were braced for a flood of donations, even though the official policy of the Eastham Dept. of Public Works is that the swap shop is not accepting donations until further notice.

    Early in the day, it was clear local people considered that decree a suggestion rather than a rule. A man pulled up in front of the shop in a black pickup just after it opened at 10 a.m., four legs of a table sticking up from the vehicle’s bed. “I’ve been waiting to give this to you since March,” he said.

    “We’re going to end up with stuff,” explained Linda Weisner, the lead volunteer.

    The inside of the shop is an eclectic arrangement of used household items on floor-to-ceiling shelves. The back wall holds a collection of coffee makers, lamps, a vacuum, a cat kennel, wooden crutches, and pool cues. Off to the side, Maroon 5 played softly from a clock radio underneath a rich collection of cassette tapes.

    The shop was virtually unchanged from the way it was days before it closed in March 2020 — save for a bottle of hand sanitizer by the door. None of the volunteers had been back until three weeks ago, when they returned to “evict the mice” who had moved in.

    “They weren’t paying rent,” said Joe Rossetti, a volunteer who also has his own radio show.

    As the shoppers began to wander in, the enthusiasm was palpable. Weisner waited by the door, asking new entrants if they’d had their shots. If they had, they could remove their masks.

    One regular, Susan Wasson, was greeted by hugs from beaming volunteers. They know her.

    “It was like junk withdrawal,” Wasson said, describing the year-plus that the Swap Shop was closed.

    Shoppers may come in search of specific items, but it’s easy to get sidetracked. Crisse MacFadyen was looking for a dog bowl but couldn’t find one. Instead, she walked towards the exit with an armful of mugs.

    The Eastham Swap Shop opened its doors on June 16 for the first time since Covid closed it in March 2020. (Photos Ben Glickman)

    “You come with a wish list and you get distracted,” MacFadyen said. “Now I need a shopping basket.”

    One woman kept an eye on what she had found while scouring the shelves. “That’s my pile,” she said to a man nearby, gesturing to a stack of plates on a small table.

    “Someone might take it,” replied the man.

    “Then I’ll fight them for it,” she snapped back, seemingly only half joking.

    By noon, an hour before the shop closed, the tables in front were full of donations. As a man unloaded several foldable outdoor tables and a handful of crates, volunteers examined each item.

    Not everything passes muster here: appliances have to be usable, and all items should be clean, Weisner said. The volunteers are on the lookout for mouse droppings or crumbs — they’ve been problems in the past.

    While no money changes hands, the volunteers still act like salespeople. Minutes after the foldable tables were dropped off, Weisner marketed one to a browser.

    “This would be great,” Weisner said to the woman. She told her how it folds, how the glass top is easily cleanable. “It would look great on your deck, wouldn’t it?” Five minutes later, the woman walked away with the table. Linda smiled at her fellow volunteers.

    The volunteers will also set items aside for certain customers. Jack, a volunteer with a bushy moustache who declined to give his last name, said he keeps an eye out for fishing supplies — poles, reels, tackle boxes — which he donates to the V.A. in Hyannis. He’ll put the odd item aside for a friend, as well. He once saved a panini press, another time a wok.

    “Whaddya think? For you?” volunteer Tom Durkin asked this reporter, pointing to a wire shelf. “You can always return it,” he added, with loud laugh.

    Durkin, who lives in Eastham year-round, said the pandemic was isolating. With the Swap Shop closed, he lost hours of social time with his fellow volunteers and friends. He’s grateful that it’s up and running.

    “It’s good to see people,” he said. Then corrected himself: “It’s good to see old friends again.”

    CLEANING HOUSE

    With Swap Shops Closed, the Giving Isn’t So Easy

    Where to donate, and how to do it thoughtfully

    By

    As each new year begins, many people are motivated to purge their homes of clutter. “Everyone wants a fresh start,” says Diana Morgan, a professional organizer based in Brewster. But in this pandemic year, she says, with people spending more time at home, her business, Morganize, is busier than ever.

    The same is true for Julie Brooks, who heads up A Peaceful Place Home Organizers, also in Brewster. “The longer people are stuck at home, the more their clutter bothers them,” says Brooks. “People are now taking the opportunity to do what they have been putting off for a long time.”

    Organizing starts with letting things go. But even though one person’s trash may be another’s treasure, says Brooks, choosing what to donate requires thoughtfulness. “It is important to ask yourself whether other people would really want your items,” she says.

    Brooks’s rules are simple: anything you donate should be clean and in good working order. Clothes should be items someone would want to wear in 2021. But with all four of the Outer Cape’s transfer station swap shops closed due to the pandemic, following through with your donations will require a somewhat more informed and creative approach than usual.

    Here’s the latest on where to take the items that make the cut:

    Thrift Stores

    A.I.M. in Wellfleet is selling items by appointment, but not taking donations at this time. The Eastham Friends of the Council on Aging Thrift Store on Massasoit Road remains closed for now.

    Wellfleet’s swap shop, normally buzzing on weekends, now sits forlorn. All of the Outer Cape’s transfer station swap shops are closed due to the pandemic. (Photo Teresa Parker)

    MassAppeal in Wellfleet is open at the Cove Corner building on Route 6, though not as frequently as usual. They take donations in person, or you can leave items in containers outside the building. Volunteer Rebecca Kowalak says that the volunteer team appreciates it when clothes are washed and folded to make the considerable job of sorting through bags easier.

    “We love sheets, towels and blankets,” she adds, “and what we can’t use, we bring to the animal shelter.” They also take toys and books, but right now they are “overwhelmed with books.” Household items are not accepted, and the team asks people not to leave bags outside the bin when it is full.

    Hours: Tues., Thurs., Fri., and Sat., 9 a.m. to noon. Also, donations are accepted in the building on Weds. 10 a.m. to noon.

    The Methodist Church Thrift Store in Provincetown, which resells clothing and other essential items such as cookware and blankets, set up a safe donation system early on. “We don’t take any donations inside the building,” explains manager Peter Juris. Donations go to one of the three sheds behind the building, where they sit for 24 to 48 hours before being sorted and brought in. “That way, my volunteers feel more comfortable,” Juris says.

    Hours: Drop-offs may be made Mon. through Sat., 10 a.m. to 12 noon, though the shop itself is open until 2 p.m.

    Libraries

    The Eastham, Wellfleet, and Truro town libraries are not currently accepting any books.

    The Provincetown Library is taking donations of books to add to their collection or sell. Call the library in advance to arrange for a drop-off. And, says librarian May Alice Wells, “please be selective — we cannot take books that have been sitting in the basement for years.”

    Little Free Libraries, a book sharing movement of homemade libraries, can be found throughout the Outer Cape. Eastham resident Sharon Krause, who maintains one at 15 Tern Lane, says children’s and youth books and family games are in demand. She is accepting donations in good condition and with book covers and boxes wiped down with disinfectant.

    Furniture Consignment Shops

    Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Yarmouth takes gently used furniture donations and has a free pick-up service all the way to Provincetown. Items accepted include dining room tables and chairs, dressers, sofas and upholstered chairs, coffee tables, beds, kitchen or bath cabinetry, appliances, rugs, and lighting. All proceeds from sales at the store go toward Habitat’s mission to provide shelter and affordable homes.

    Hours: Donations can be dropped off at the store during open hours, Mon. through Sat., 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., or reservations for a pick-up can be made online at the ReStore website (restorecapecod.org).

    Gaynor’s Fine Consignments in Orleans sells furniture for a percentage commission or by donation for local charities. Owner Scott Gaynor will drive all the way to Provincetown to look at and collect items and can be reached by email at: [email protected], or phone: (774) 316-4197. “I’m interested in looking at most furniture with the exception of large, brown dining room furniture, which people are shying away from buying,” Gaynor says.

    Other Advice

    Cape Cod Children’s Place in Eastham usually accepts gently used children’s toys and clothes. Currently, only new toys in original packaging and clothes with tags still on them or cash donations are accepted for young families in need. Contact the Children’s Place directly for more information on how to donate: capecodchildrensplace.com.

    Your driveway might be a good short-term giveaway spot for a large item like a sofa or bureau, as long as you place it strictly on your own property, and only in good weather — nobody wants soggy furniture. Also, towns consider items placed outside your property to be illegal dumping, enforced by the police and health departments.

    Yard sales are a thing of the future. Organizer Diana Morgan, who helps clients with them, knows the preparations can be daunting. She recommends designating an area in a basement or spare room for unwanted items, then giving yourself time to gather all you’d like to sell.

    LOST & FOUND

    Books Give an Old Lamp New Light

    Drill, design, and stack with style

    By

    I discovered one of my favorite floor lamps in a barn, coated in dust and dirt. I took it home and cleaned it up. All it needed was a coat of black paint, a new socket, and a good shade. The transformation was simple yet complete.

    I always look for old lamps at thrift stores and antique shops. I think the most I ever paid for one was $10. The best ones are often free — finds from the swap shop. Since every room needs lighting, old lamps that I’ve revived now serve a purpose and add character throughout my house.

    A discriminating eye spots the beauty in a neglected lamp and old books. (Photos Dianne Longchamps)

    On a trip to Italy a few years ago, I saw a lamp made out of books. It was love at first sight, until I saw the price tag. The lamp was selling for 2,000 euros (more than $2,000). For two years, I thought about that lamp. Then I came across a neglected lamp in a friend’s attic. Stowed not far from it was a plentiful supply of old books. She was glad to get rid of them. Now I had the makings of that artful Italian item.

    I would not be surprised if you had most of the makings of a lamp remodel project in your own cellar or attic, though there are some practicalities to consider before starting. It’s likely your old lamp will need a new harp and shade. Those are easy to order and put on — no special skills needed. Another nice touch is an Edison light bulb. The filament shows, so the glow of the bulb is warm.

    A bit more complicated is that you will need to temporarily remove the lamp socket to do this project. And the sockets on old lamps are often rusty and need to be replaced. Either way, the job is not hard to do with hardware store basics and good instructions, found on YouTube. But if you’re not handy, get advice from a professional before proceeding.

    If the lamp needs to be completely rewired, handy types may forge ahead with a lamp kit ordered from a local hardware store. Consider one with a vintage-looking cloth-covered cord; they’re available in dozens of colors. If wiring is not your thing, there’s no shame and little cost in having a pro do the job.

    The instructions here are focused on putting together the stacked book design. Tools and skills for this part of the project are straightforward.

    Materials:

    Old lamp with a narrow shaft

    Old books

    Electric drill or drill press

    A sharp drill bit, large enough to cut a circle just slightly larger than the diameter of the lamp shaft

    Steps:

    1. Consider the books themselves. Create a theme by choosing, say, children’s books for a kid’s room, music or song books for a music lover, or books written in Italian for the world traveler. The possibilities are endless. Add a shabby chic element by ripping off some of the covers. Tie ribbon or twine around a few books to add color and texture to the stack you’ll be building.

    Books can be piled up neatly or distressed for a shabby chic stack.

    2. Make sure the lamp is unplugged. Remove the socket from the lamp with a screwdriver.

    3. Determine how many books you need based on the height of the lamp. For a floor lamp, you will need approximately 18 books. For a desk lamp, 8-10 books should do it. Use an electric drill or drill press to drill holes through the center of each book. Make sure the diameter of the hole is big enough to fit over the lamp rod.

    4. Stack the books onto the lamp shaft. Be creative arranging the books; rotate some so they face in different directions.

    5. Add a shade harp, put the socket back on the lamp (here’s where you’ll need to rewire or have a professional rewire the lamp with a new cord and plug, if necessary).

    6. Finish with a unique shade and finial. I used an old shade and added my own touches with old papers and glue. Lamp shades are easy to paint and collage.

    7. Add a fresh light bulb, plug in the lamp, and bask.

    DIY

    Declutter Now and Be Ready for Spring

    Need it? Use it? Love it? If not, let it go.

    By

    Some people think of these indoorsy months as a time for cocooning. That sounds lovely. But if you’re surrounded by clutter and your closets are overflowing, you may have noticed that being around too much stuff is not restorative, it’s anxiety-provoking.

    You may think it’s early for spring cleaning, but if you need to get organized, there are good reasons to take action now. First, because decluttering chases away winter blues. Also, Outer Cape swap shops and thrift stores have limited capacity. You’ll need to bring your donations in reasonable quantities, and the process can take some time.

    The most difficult part of decluttering is deciding what to keep and what to move along to its next destination. I recommend that you condition your decision-making muscles on easier items first: garage stuff, clothes, books, and media. Save the emotional minefields like photos, keepsakes, and family heirlooms for last. As you move through the room you are working in, separate items into three piles: keep, toss, or donate. If there are items you are having trouble deciding on, ask yourself: Do I need it? Do I use it? Do I love it? If the answers are no, no, and no, let it go.

    A.I.M. Thrift Shop in Wellfleet
    At the A.I.M. Thrift Shop in Wellfleet, ugly ducklings are ready to become somebody’s swans. (Photo Molly Newman)

    It is helpful to designate things you wish to donate as A List and B List. A List items are in very good condition and are more valuable or current. These can go to nonprofit thrift stores or libraries, enabling you to get a tax deduction if you itemize. Popular thrift stores are Ruthie’s Boutique and the United Methodist Church Thrift Shop in Provincetown; the A.I.M. Thrift Shop in Wellfleet; and the Friends of the Eastham C.O.A. Thrift Shop. All of them donate proceeds from sales to community services.

    Your B List items are in good condition but less valuable or current and may be left at the swap shop at your local transfer station. Every town transfer station also has a bin for recycling clothes or textiles. The swap shop hours: Provincetown, Tues. to Sat., 8 a.m. to noon; Truro, Sat.-Sun., 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Wellfleet, Tues., Sat., Sun., 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Eastham, Weds., Sat., Sun., 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

    No matter what the item or where you are taking it, don’t donate anything dirty, moldy, torn, broken, incomplete, or obsolete. Some things are simply at the end of their useful life. If you have a lot of items and are overwhelmed by unloading them, there are local haulers who will help you cart things off. Look for one that is committed to recycling whatever can be recycled.

    The most challenging items are large furniture and appliances. For items in good condition, you can arrange free pickup from Habitat ReStore or the Salvation Army, but be prepared to wait a few weeks. They won’t take sofa beds, laminate furniture, or TV armoires, and they also have the right to refuse an item at pickup. You can also try your luck at giving these items away by posting on social media swap pages or placing a classified ad.

    Getting started with decluttering is difficult. But most people end up feeling energized by clearing things away. You are creating the physical and psychic space for the next adventure of your life. Start now, and you’ll be ready for spring.

    Julie Brooks is a professional organizer and owner of Peaceful Place Home Organizers in Brewster.

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