One Dog’s Tale of Community Involvement

Tattle Tails Resale Shop Benefits Hamilton County Humane Society.

Writer / Janet Gilray

If a little Sheltie named “Kasey” could talk, he might start by saying, “I’m the Sheltie that all the dogs at the shelter are wagging about.” So what’s so special about Kasey, and why does he go the shelter so often when he has such a loving owner?

16100408989_4139e43283_mIt just so happens, that Kasey is the dog who inspired “Kasey’s Kloset”, a resale/fundraising shop benefiting the Humane Society for Hamilton County. The shop recently changed its name to Tattle Tails and has reemerged a real store and as part of Noblesville’s newest resale mall at 2350 East Conner Street. Not only that, Kasey and ‘his person’ boast that 100 percent of the store’s net proceeds go to help animals at the Humane Society for Hamilton County.

It all started in early 2014, when Kasey’s owner, Lisa Bednar Cook, retired from a successful 25 year career with Eli Lilly and Company. The way Cook explains it, she was fortunate to own a closet full of very nice, work clothes — and lucky to no longer need them. While cleaning closets in her early days of new found leisure, Cook decided to explore consigning her business wardrobe items, and soon after did just that. No sooner had she picked up her first check, than thoughts of helping animals less fortunate than her own beloved pets occurred to her.

“I was [suddenly] intrigued by generating what I considered to be ‘free money,’” said Cook. “That is when I decided I wanted to do something with the proceeds: Something that mattered. It took me about a second to be sure. I wanted it to be something for animals. I simply love animals, and anyone who knows me, knows that I am crazy about dogs—all dogs. It took literally, the few minutes I spent walking to my car with that first check in hand, to get me started thinking about something bigger.”

Soon, Cook was asking friends to donate articles to consign at local shops. She printed flyers and cards, as she launched a full-blown resale staging area in her garage, naming it for her pet, Kasey’s Kloset. As items sold, she used the proceeds to purchase things she saw on the Humane Society’s for Wish List. Then, as Kasey rode with her, they delivered the purchases to the shelter. Tails began to wag!

With the help of friends, the project grew and before too long, extra items started piling up as store buyers can be very discriminating and friends were quite generous. To Cook, it seemed that there was a lot of value being left on the table, but the problem was figuring out a way to extract it. In a matter of time, she would discover a way.

“After my third or fourth drop of Wish List items purchased for the shelter, I thought I should introduce myself. After all, the donation cycle was working well, and I believed it would continue to do so. When I met the Manager of Community Outreach at the time, Amanda Ryan, I mentioned that I thought there was something that could be done with my growing inventory, but I wasn’t sure exactly what it was. She suggested that I meet with Carolyn16099010718_0dfc8ba57e_m Harlow, the owner of Carolyn’s Consignments, and a big Humane Society supporter.”

Harlow was out of town when Cook stopped by, but Harlow called Cook soon after. Harlow had been attending a meeting of the National Association of Resale and Thrift Stores, and co-incidentally had just been hearing of the many ways that resale shops were supporting non-profits. The two women began to develop a proposal and soon presented it to Hamilton County Humane Society leadership.

As details and legalities were smoothed out, Cook and Kasey continued gathering items from generous friends and family members, who also donated time and talents. The shop proudly features gently used women’s and men’s clothing, accessories, shoes, coats and hats, plus home décor, furniture, area rugs, and many unique one-of-a kind gifts.

As of Nov. 1 Tattle Tales has been open for business and accepting tax deductible donations seven days a week at 2350 East Conner St. It is one of three anchors in the Noblesville Resale Shops, which was formerly leased to Honda Motorcycles. Other anchors include Carolyn’s Consignments and FairyTales, a children’s resale shop.

Comments 3

  1. Rhonda Hughes says:

    Great idea as a fund raiser to a true no-kill humane society!

  2. Jan Vogt says:

    this is a wonderful way to clear your closets and know that it will make a difference.

  3. Jan Gray says:

    so glad to hear about Tattletails. I will be visiting and donating soon.
    many donations were made in my sons name last September due to his passing.
    all to a much needed cause.

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