Real Change News | Vendor of the Week

July 22, 2009
Vol: 16 No: 23

Vendor of the Week

Vendor of the Week - Terry Cunningham

by: Alex Becker , Real Change Intern & Contributing Writer

Photo by: Alex Becker , Real Change Intern & Contributing Writer

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If you’ve ever been to Bartell Drugstore in Ballard, chances are you’ve met Terry. And if you have, you probably know him to be one of the sweetest, most kind-hearted people you’ve ever met. The kind of person who takes the time to listen because he truly cares about what you have to say, because he does.

So it should come as no surprise to find out that he’s consistently a top-selling Real Change vendor. And when I say “top-selling,” I mean it: Terry sells nearly 1,500 papers a month.

But it’s not easy; it’s a full-time job. Terry has been standing outside the drugstore nearly every day, rain or shine, for the past four years, and he takes pride in his work.

“I sell Real Change to supplement my income,” Terry explains, pausing for a moment. “[Because] I have cancer. I’m a surviving cancer patient.”

As we talk, a regular customer appears from behind the sliding glass doors and sees us doing our interview. “Wow Terry, congratulations!” she cheers, hurrying through the doors. Then, turning towards me as if to offer reassurance, “He’s my only vendor.”

“She’s one of my favorite customers,” Terry tells me as she leaves.

Bottom line: Terry has become a part of the community, and the appreciation is mutual. “The people are so friendly and giving… it’s a pleasure to come out here and work here and be amongst them,” he says.

You can find Terry selling from 8 in the morning till 3 in the afternoon nearly every day of the week, so be sure to pay him a visit and strike up a conversation. Because as anyone will tell you, he’s a treat.

To his customers, he says, “Thank you for your support [and] keep Real Change alive, and I’ll make sure you have a friendly smile.”

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