Page 30 - JOA-July-22

The Martha
The Martha

Tag Sale
Tag Sale

Experience
Experience

An interview with Martha’s
good friend Vincent Manzo

by Judy Gonyeau, managing editor

recently had the good fortune to meet with Vincent “Vinnie” Why did Martha use a tag sale
Manzo, a good friend of Martha Stewart and fellow lover (and
format as a fundraiser?
Idealer) of antiques. We talked about Martha’s recent tag sale and
learned a bit about what happened behind the scenes. This was done mainly to raise money and awareness for the Martha
The Great American Tag Sale was filmed as a special program for Stewart Center for Living.
ABC in May, but came from the world of Martha Stewart to raise funds But in having a tag sale, Martha wanted
for the Martha Stewart Center for Living at Mount Sinai. Here is more visitors to have the whole experience of shopping
about the Center from marthastagsale.com: at a tag sale and have it documented. She did this
to open this event to a lot of her fans, friends, and
“Inspired by her mother, neighbors. And they came, and they loved it.
Martha Kostyra—who lived When they bought something, they knew
an active life to the age of 93— exactly where that item came from, what she
Martha Stewart founded the (Martha) did with it, what book it was in,
Martha Stewart Center for what magazine it was in, what house it was
Living at The Mount Sinai in, etc. The back story was all there, and so
was Martha, to share stories.
Hospital on the Upper East Side As to who came, I could mention so
in New York City in 2007 to many. Some were old-world antiquers and
create an innovative model of plenty of new-world buyers thanks to all
comprehensive care for older adults. the promotion on Instagram and
The highly successful practice Facebook and social media … it was a
expanded to a second location at nice mix (of people attending). It was an
Mount Sinai-Union Square in amazing experience and everyone who
2019. Both practices are part of went there knew it was.
Mount Sinai’s nationally-recognized I think if we can teach people to
geriatric department. learn and enjoy the antique and
“With unprecedented numbers of vintage shopping experience through
Americans turning 65 each day, these a nice mix between face-to-face sales
and internet selling, we'll have a
outpatient care facilities address an good thing going.
urgent need for healthcare for our aging The business is strong.
population. The Centers provide holistic
living services to help older adults live
healthy and more engaged lives, including While you were at
tai chi, yoga, music therapy, nutrition the Tag Sale, what
planning, and fall prevention programs.
“The results are notable: patients of the did you discover?
Martha Stewart Centers for Living experience The Set-Up Crew (l-r) Frank Kaminski, Jim Clinko, and I came out with a lot from it
half as many emergency room visits as other Vincent “Vinnie” Manzo – a lot of friends, a lot of
older adults, shorter hospital stays when knowledge; I met so many different
people. You see, that’s the beauty of a tag sale – it’s face
admitted, and 50 percent fewer readmissions to face, person to person, touch to touch – you can’t get that on a
after hospitalization.”
computer screen.

28 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles