For nearly 40 years, staff at MVY Radio have worked out of the same building on Carrolls Way in Vineyard Haven, entertaining thousands of people on and off-Island. Over the years they have grown into the station we know today, and that growth can also be felt within the original building itself. The walls that once housed the station’s beginnings can no longer fit its new numbers.
In October 2019, MVY Radio purchased a building on State Road in West Tisbury, a building that became their new Island home on June 8. “While we are sad to close out 40 years of broadcasting from Carrolls Way in Vineyard Haven, our new studios and offices are the beginning of an extraordinarily exciting future for the station,” said P.J. Finn, the station’s executive director. Finn previously shared with Times writer Geoff Currier in a story last December that it could be difficult to fit guests of bands of three or more into the Carrolls Way building, but now there’ll be more room than ever. With three floors to work with, including a main studio that will allow for more guests, office space for the full-time and part-time employees, and a multipurpose space that can host board meetings — or possibly can be made available for community groups to have their own meetings in the future. Luckily the new building is still close enough to their current tower, meaning the transmitter and antenna they use can stay where they are.
The process of moving is still underway, so the new building is not open to the public at this time. They are planning to host a celebratory donor event and a public open house later this summer, so keep an eye out and an ear open for that news.
Without the support of their community this move would have never been possible. Their goal of $2.5 million has already breached the 90 percent marker. “We’re grateful to the community for their generous support,” shared MVY Radio board chair James Attwood.
The building on Carrolls Way won’t be forgotten by the MVY Radio crew or their community; all of those decades of memories can never be replaced. That being said, it’s time to take their next step forward to their new home, to create new memories. Looking toward the future and their community, Finn said, “Today is an exciting new day for anyone and everyone who loves MVY Radio. Thanks for being part of the journey to our new Island home.”
