Love My Job: Kate Minor - Our Thrift Store Clerk

By Virginia Roberson

You might assume Kate Miner, 38, is a Nashville cliche: struggling songwriter/musician working retail to save some bucks till she makes it big in show business. But Kate's already made it. And she's doing it as an employee at a thrift store in downtown Franklin.

Kate heard about Our Thrift Store (which employs young adults with disabilities) through her church, and decided to help by staging a benefit concert with songwriter Alex Harvey. Not long after, Kate joined the thrift store crew, which she considers part of her family.

ATR: With your new album coming out (Prodigal Martha, release date June 14) and upcoming tour (see www.kateminer.com), wouldn't you rather talk about your music, rather than your job at Our Thrift Store?

KM: My world in music has been moving well, but I feel truly blessed to be working with the great staff at the store. When I heard about Our Thrift Store's vision for putting these wonderful kids to work, I asked if I could be a part of what they're doing. Whenever kids are involved, even the older ones, my heart just grows, like the Christmas Grinch! This job is the most fun I've had in years.

ATR: What goodies can we find at Our Thrift Store?

KM: Some of the best finds are those retro-crazy lamps, and the other day we had some swinging raw Petri tables. We have a whole costume section that's full of great vintage clothes. There's a lot of hip vintage stuff like jewelry, hats, scarves, dresses — you name it! We have tons of fancy glassware, cool coats and even those old mixers and mixing bowls, and they still work! There's even a collection of antique Polaroid and 8-mm cameras.

ATR: Can I haggle on the prices in the store?

KM: Because this is a charity thrift store, we don't haggle on prices. But I think anyone who comes here will find we've got quality stuff for the lowest prices in town. The most challenging part of my job is when people who don't know what the store's all about do try to haggle. There are only a handful of people on payroll; most are volunteers. So most money goes to hiring more kids, which is what's important. If I knock prices down, that's another person with a disability we can't hire. And there's a waiting list of these kids who want to work at the store.

ATR: What do you love most about your job?

KM: Working with these kids is awesome! They have so much fun and work so hard. You should see how excited they get on pay day. We laugh a lot and encourage each other. Encouragement is good exercise for the soul. By working here, I'm doing what God intended.

ATR: Have you scored any bargains for yourself?

KM: It's a wonder I can keep my paycheck, working here! My most carnal fun is looking through the treasure troves in this store. I've redone my entire wardrobe for less than $15.