AWARDS for Last Chance Mercantile

CPSC Golden Arrow Award - 2025

Congressional Recognition Award - 2025

"On behalf of the California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC), we congratulate VTC Last Chance Mercantile LLC as the winner of CPSC’s 2025 Golden Arrow Award! The Golden Arrow Award is given to an organization demonstrating excellence in several aspects of product stewardship, including green design, toxics and packaging reduction, increased reuse/repair/re-manufacture, convenient product take-back, and end of life management. Last Chance Mercantile exemplifies all these principals with dedication to creating a circular economy, educating the community on reuse, and supporting veterans."

Congressional Recognition Award - 2025

We were honored to receive this award from Congressman Panetta in August, 2025 for our work on behalf of the community and in partnership with ReGen Monterey. We love what we do, but its always great to be recognized for hard work and dedication!

PRESS

Waste Advantage Magazine - August 2025

"Last Chance Mercantile (lastchancemercantile.org) is the recipient of the 2025 Golden Arrow Award for overall excellence in product stewardship. The Golden Arrow Award is given to an organization that exemplifies all the characteristics of the Green, Bow & Arrow, and Infinity Awards. Last Chance Mercantile has established themselves as a resource to their community. By both educating on waste and reuse as well as providing jobs to veterans, Last Chance Mercantile emphasizes the importance of fostering relationships between public agencies and non-profits while protecting the environment. For instance, in 2024 alone, Last Chance Mercantile diverted over 1.1M pounds of goods away from the landfill – an incredible achievement."

Big Sur Marathon Clothing 2025

"150 garbage bags of abandoned clothing from Big Sur Marathon runners soon up for sale..."

Edible Monterey Bay - June 16, 2023

'A promising place to find many treasures is Last Chance Mercantile, the upcycle epicenter of my world. Bring on the vintage (vintage vintage) vinyl, patio furniture, obscure art, used bikes, crystal glasses and funky sculptures, all set in an airy warehouse and adjoining outdoor lot. If you’re not scoring gold here, you’re not trying.'

Monterey County Weekly - November 24, 2022

'Thrifting is increasingly cool, creative and eco-friendly.'

Carmel Pinecone - December 24, 2021

'A land of Misfit Toys, toasters, barbells and more.'

Monterey County Weekly - November 27, 2021

'A reopened Last Chance Mercantile gives old stuff new life, and gives the veterans in charge a new life as well.'