{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"S10 Ep7 HOUSING WORKS: Daniel Rodriguez and Emily McKay - on curating collections at one of NYC's most beloved thrift institutions, and what to shop at Best of Spring right now.","description":"Today, we're sitting down with two of the many people behind one of New York City's most beloved thrift institutions \u2014 Housing Works. Housing Works is a mission-based organization born from the AIDS crisis, fighting for inclusive care, social justice, and an end to homelessness and the AIDS epidemic. Their thrift shops \u2014 nine locations across New York City, plus a bookstore caf\u00e9 and online ecommerce shop \u2014 aren't just places to find incredible secondhand treasures. They're also the engine that funds life-saving services for New Yorkers, rooted in the belief that housing is healthcare. Daniel Rodriguez has been with Housing Works for nearly two decades. As Director of Operations, he has helped shape the organization\u2019s thrift enterprise, and oversees its operation from the shop floors to the annual events to the online auction site, developing the way Housing Works prices, merchandises, and tells the story of the pieces that come through its doors. Emily McKay is the Processing & Curation Manager which means she leads the Housing Works Processing and Distribution Center out in Long Island City \u2014 the behind-the-scenes warehouse hub where the majority of the organizations donations are sorted, curated, and transformed into the beautiful collections that stock the many city shops and headline the annual events. A former luxury consignment boutique owner who has earned her master's in fashion management at Parsons since her last time on this show, Emily brings a rare blend of expertise to the work of curating collections at scale. On today's episode, we get to explore the magic of what it actually takes to run a thrift enterprise of this size \u2014 the stories that come through the donation bags, the philosophy behind their curation, the unique role Housing Works plays in the iconic NYC vintage scene, and the annual \u2018Best of Spring\u2019 event that\u2019s happening right now across Housing Works locations. This one is for all of us who've ever believed that a great piece deserves another chapter.  Let's dive right in. DISCUSSED IN THE EPISODE: [5:15] Daniel has been a part of the vintage and secondhand scene in New York since the late 90s \u2014 shopping at iconic spots like Screaming Mimi's, Cheap Jacks, Andy's Cheapies, Starstruck, and Rags-A-Go-Go. [8:25] He started at Housing Works as a manager of several of the thrift stores, eventually becoming senior merchandising manager and developing the organization's pricing philosophy and visual merchandising.  [12:15] How Housing Works has grown since it was founded in response to the AIDS crisis \u2014 from a carriage house on 18th Street in 1992 to nine shops, a bookstore caf\u00e9, annual events, and an online shop. [17:00] How the resale boom changed how Housing Works approaches donations and sales strategy. [20:00] Emily McKaydescribes what it's like to walk into the PDC \u2014 the Processing and Distribution Center in Long Island City \u2014 and what her team does every day. [24:30] What it's like to curate donations at scale \u2014 developing material knowledge, sorting by gut instinct, and routing pieces to the right stores and events. [30:17] What shoppers can expect at Best of Spring this month. [36:20] Some of the most unique and historically significant collections that have come through Housing Works \u2014 including a Patti Smith art auction, an Andy Cohen Clubhouse event. [37:40] Emily reflects on how universally adored Housing Works is in New York City [42:30] Daniel and Emily share their personal favorite Housing Works finds. EPISODE MENTIONS:  Housing Works @housingworks Screaming Mimi\u2019s  ACT UP NY Fashion for Action Design on a Dime Parsons School of Design \u2014 Fashion Management Housing Works Bookstore As shown in Taylor Swift\u2019s All Too Well (10 Minute Version) Most Wanted Luxury on Pre-Loved Podcast Best of Spring - Events Calendar LET\u2019S CONNECT:  \ud83d\udcf8Instagram: @emilymstochl \ud83d\udc26Threads: @emilymstochl \ud83c\udfa5TikTok: @emilymstochl \ud83d\udce7 Substack: https:\/\/prelovedpod.substack.com\/  \ud83c\udfa7Patreon: https:\/\/www.patreon.com\/prelovedpod  SPECIAL THANKS:  A special thanks goes out to my Patron Insiders \u2013 your support makes Pre-Loved Podcast possible! Patty Weber Kathy Brand Lisa of Queenie & Pearl Lydia Welp Michael A. Megan Morris Jennifer Alana Rivero Jerrica Yasumura Amanda Hale   ","author_name":"Pre-Loved Podcast with Emily Stochl","author_url":"http:\/\/emilymstochl.com\/","html":"