John Ellison’s Unique History

John AT Ellison, Alan Ellison, and John X Ellison

I am incredibly fortunate to continue my life-long adventure in this industry. Shortly after leaving the U.S. Navy in the 1950s, my grandfather, John, and grandmother, Isabelle, worked together in our family’s first store in Seattle, Washington.

My father, Alan, left the Army after serving in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot and opened his first store in Chicago, Illinois, in 1969. John and Isabelle were instrumental in training my father after he received the requisite training from a different family operation. Alan’s family operation grew to multiple successful Unique Thrift Stores in Chicago and Cleveland, Ohio.

I started in the business at age 14, changing the oil and assisting with brake jobs and maintenance road calls for trucks picking up donations in the Chicago area. After college, I worked in the technology industry before joining a family member in Sacramento, California, to learn about the thrift industry. I moved to Chicago to work in the family business after opening my own store in 2001 in Vallejo, California.

Our family handed down strict guidelines for running successful thrift stores and the need to stay involved with every aspect of the business. They placed great effort and emphasis on knowing what was being sold out of the front of the store, for the best value, and what could be made from anything that remained. The unique combination of growing up in the thrift business and having a background in technology led me to a career in an industry that I enjoy. Carrying on the family tradition makes me proud, and I am honored to work for Cycla. I’ve learned a lot from my coworkers’ professionalism and experience. Our industry started recycling before there was a term for it, and I take pride in working in an industry that gives back to so many.

Throughout my continued and always-enduring education, I’ve focused on bringing technology to our industry in a way that doesn’t disrupt getting business done. We are dedicated to efficiency, sustainability and being a reliable partner for our suppliers. Our websites are always designed and created with customer needs in mind so that we can provide up-to-date industry news, pricing and helpful content. Please continue to visit www.CyclaLLC.com for articles, how-to tips, business ideas and industry news.