Sunday, 30 October 2016
Kelowna Pt III
I've long been aware of it but there's not much information, and the shop is closed in summer, but the First United Church in Kelowna (at 721 Bernard) has a thrift store in its basement. Open only Wednesday to Friday, hours are limited. Prices are excellent, the volunteer staff are very friendly. Free lot and street parking. Very small but well-organised. Usual assortment except furniture.
Thursday, 20 October 2016
Vernon (again)
Back in the north/central Okanagan and visited a couple of "new" thrift stores, one I didn't think of visiting and one I surprisingly hadn't known about.
On 31st Avenue at 31st Street is the Vernon Pro-Life Society thrift shop. Not religious unlike the one in Kelowna (Catholic), it is a usual small thrift shop except no furniture. Paid street parking seems to be the rule here.
At the north en of town on 24th Street at 55th Avenue is the newer store of the Salvation Army. This medium-sized one is set in a warehouse/commercial space so is quite airy unlike the old shop in downtown Vernon (which has been rearranged). Prices on some items can be quite high (again, unlike the old shop though they are in the same division of the SA). Free lot parking.
On 31st Avenue at 31st Street is the Vernon Pro-Life Society thrift shop. Not religious unlike the one in Kelowna (Catholic), it is a usual small thrift shop except no furniture. Paid street parking seems to be the rule here.
At the north en of town on 24th Street at 55th Avenue is the newer store of the Salvation Army. This medium-sized one is set in a warehouse/commercial space so is quite airy unlike the old shop in downtown Vernon (which has been rearranged). Prices on some items can be quite high (again, unlike the old shop though they are in the same division of the SA). Free lot parking.
Saturday, 15 October 2016
Langley and Chilliwack, and Kelowna until 22 October
Appointment timing gave us an opportunity to wander through the Fraser Valley last week. Started at Cloverdale and worked our way to Chilliwack.
Three new thrift shops to list though we only visited two, and the demise of one of these is imminent.
The new one is the Thrift Barn of the Horse Protection charity where 222nd and 224th Streets meet in Langley SE of the city. Didn't as it is only open Thursdays to Saturdays. Lot parking.
Heading to Chilliwack on Airport Road between Yale and Young is another Hidden Treasures shop of the M2W2 prisoner peer counselling society. This shop took over an existing private one. All the various items except furniture. Lot parking.
We've long known about a SPCA thrift shop in Kelowna but don't head out its way anymore but made a special visit to this branch at Casorso and Benvoulin directly opposite from the SPCA. This store is in the ALR and was a produce stand called the Tomato King before it became among other things including an Asian crafts import store. It became a thrift store some 4 years ago but was ordered to close recently as it was solely involved in non-agriculture activities which is not allowed on ALR land. Last day was 22 October. Great as they had a 50% off sale and we got a good haul. SPCA store sales will be concentrated at the remaining store in Rutland which is good for us.
Three new thrift shops to list though we only visited two, and the demise of one of these is imminent.
The new one is the Thrift Barn of the Horse Protection charity where 222nd and 224th Streets meet in Langley SE of the city. Didn't as it is only open Thursdays to Saturdays. Lot parking.
Heading to Chilliwack on Airport Road between Yale and Young is another Hidden Treasures shop of the M2W2 prisoner peer counselling society. This shop took over an existing private one. All the various items except furniture. Lot parking.
We've long known about a SPCA thrift shop in Kelowna but don't head out its way anymore but made a special visit to this branch at Casorso and Benvoulin directly opposite from the SPCA. This store is in the ALR and was a produce stand called the Tomato King before it became among other things including an Asian crafts import store. It became a thrift store some 4 years ago but was ordered to close recently as it was solely involved in non-agriculture activities which is not allowed on ALR land. Last day was 22 October. Great as they had a 50% off sale and we got a good haul. SPCA store sales will be concentrated at the remaining store in Rutland which is good for us.
Tuesday, 11 October 2016
Back in the Lower Mainland - downtown Vancouver shops
Went back to the Lower Mainland on Monday. Since it was Thanksgiving, we didn't expect anything to be open. Driving to our hotel, we drove pass the Wildlife Thrift Shop on Granville Street (at Drake, north or northwest quadrant depending on your point of view) and were rather surprised to see it actually open.
Quickly checking in, we went there to find that this shop is open everyday, including apparently holidays, from 1030-1830. It's been in operation for some 20 years and occupies a surprisingly-large space (medium-sized) for a city with astronomical rents and business taxes. Since most households in the area are new, you don't find much collectibles here. Almost everything, which is predominantly clothing, is fairly recent. There are some housewares and furniture. Prices seem a bit high but it is Vancouver. Very limited street parking.
We headed to check out the West End Seniors Network. Hidden in the mall on Denman Street between Comox and Nelson, it is a nice store but is, perhaps due to donations from those who have long-ago downsized, limited to newer housewares and clothes. Not much in the way of collectibles. Very limited street parking. Pretty expensive underground parking.
Quickly checking in, we went there to find that this shop is open everyday, including apparently holidays, from 1030-1830. It's been in operation for some 20 years and occupies a surprisingly-large space (medium-sized) for a city with astronomical rents and business taxes. Since most households in the area are new, you don't find much collectibles here. Almost everything, which is predominantly clothing, is fairly recent. There are some housewares and furniture. Prices seem a bit high but it is Vancouver. Very limited street parking.
We headed to check out the West End Seniors Network. Hidden in the mall on Denman Street between Comox and Nelson, it is a nice store but is, perhaps due to donations from those who have long-ago downsized, limited to newer housewares and clothes. Not much in the way of collectibles. Very limited street parking. Pretty expensive underground parking.
Saturday, 8 October 2016
Duncan
Despite having restarted my blog and having been here for nearly 6 weeks, I seem to have forgotten to add Duncan where we've spent quite a bit of time thrift shopping.
Before making one's way here, be aware that the community is fairly poor and there isn't exactly much selection of exciting inventory here.
The downtown core of Duncan is home to 4 charitable thrift stores and 2 private ones. HATS or the Hospital Auxilliary Thrift Store is a small volunteer-run store on Station Street at Craig (NE corner). It has mainly clothing and some housewares and collectibles. Reasonable prices.
At the west end of Station where it intersects with Jubilee and Government is WINGS III (Women In Need Getting Stronger) which appears to be a private store operating for a charity. It's small and has an eclectic boutique feel to it. Nice items though prices are a little high.
On Kenneth between Jubilee and Craig is the Sassy Lion, operated by the local Lions Club. It's a smaller shop that has the usual assortment + furniture. Reasonable prices. Day-old bread from the excellent bakery is sometimes available for a donation.
On the west end of Ingram Street between Jubilee and Boundary is the Duncan United Church thrift store. Generally open only on Fridays, it is very small and seems to only have a few items on display with the rest saved for some sales. Well worth a visit if you can combine with St John the Baptist Anglican's Hand in Hand store in Cobble Hill. It has lot parking.
A little bit north on Canada Avenue is Cowichan Family Services. It is again a small store with an assortment of items. There is a small parking lot in front.
Street parking in Duncan is free but can be very limited because it is free and for long periods (3 hours except in the few 15 minute spots).
Along the highway are the Salvation Army and Bibles for Missions. On the SE corner of the highway and Trunk is the Salvation Army. This is probably the smallest in B.C. and the only store in its division. It is frequented by the poorer segment of local society but it is still worth perusing. I found a very nice Bialetti espresso maker just as it was put on the shelf. The excellent bakery also makes bread available here for a donation. Free lot parking.
A little north at the intersection of Alexander (SE corner) hidden in the depths of the parking lot is the local Bibles for Missions. It's the smallest BFM store that I've come across in B.C. and again reflecting the local populace, the least well-stocked and somewhat more expensive. Still interesting. Lots of free lot parking.
The three private stores are interesting. Just north of the BFM on York is the Good Neighbours. It's the biggest thrift shop (lots of clothes) and very messy (not as bad as the SPCA in Richmond). Some say it is a bit expensive (it is) but there may be things of interest. You have to dig through housewares and books. Lulus on Canada Avenue between Ingram and Kenneth is a small shop, a bit messy, and also expensive. Hidden at the west end of Station Street across Government is a thrift shop housed in the lower floor of a large house. There's lots of household items but they're fairly expensive and the place reeks of tobacco smoke (smoking owner).
I've previously mentioned the Duncan Seventh Day Adventist thrift store about 1 mile west of the hospital on Gibbins Road, and the free store at the Bings Creek dump at the west end of Drinkwater.
Vancouver Island thrift shop listings:
http://bcthriftshop.blogspot.ca/p/listing-of.html
Before making one's way here, be aware that the community is fairly poor and there isn't exactly much selection of exciting inventory here.
The downtown core of Duncan is home to 4 charitable thrift stores and 2 private ones. HATS or the Hospital Auxilliary Thrift Store is a small volunteer-run store on Station Street at Craig (NE corner). It has mainly clothing and some housewares and collectibles. Reasonable prices.
At the west end of Station where it intersects with Jubilee and Government is WINGS III (Women In Need Getting Stronger) which appears to be a private store operating for a charity. It's small and has an eclectic boutique feel to it. Nice items though prices are a little high.
On Kenneth between Jubilee and Craig is the Sassy Lion, operated by the local Lions Club. It's a smaller shop that has the usual assortment + furniture. Reasonable prices. Day-old bread from the excellent bakery is sometimes available for a donation.
On the west end of Ingram Street between Jubilee and Boundary is the Duncan United Church thrift store. Generally open only on Fridays, it is very small and seems to only have a few items on display with the rest saved for some sales. Well worth a visit if you can combine with St John the Baptist Anglican's Hand in Hand store in Cobble Hill. It has lot parking.
A little bit north on Canada Avenue is Cowichan Family Services. It is again a small store with an assortment of items. There is a small parking lot in front.
Street parking in Duncan is free but can be very limited because it is free and for long periods (3 hours except in the few 15 minute spots).
Along the highway are the Salvation Army and Bibles for Missions. On the SE corner of the highway and Trunk is the Salvation Army. This is probably the smallest in B.C. and the only store in its division. It is frequented by the poorer segment of local society but it is still worth perusing. I found a very nice Bialetti espresso maker just as it was put on the shelf. The excellent bakery also makes bread available here for a donation. Free lot parking.
A little north at the intersection of Alexander (SE corner) hidden in the depths of the parking lot is the local Bibles for Missions. It's the smallest BFM store that I've come across in B.C. and again reflecting the local populace, the least well-stocked and somewhat more expensive. Still interesting. Lots of free lot parking.
The three private stores are interesting. Just north of the BFM on York is the Good Neighbours. It's the biggest thrift shop (lots of clothes) and very messy (not as bad as the SPCA in Richmond). Some say it is a bit expensive (it is) but there may be things of interest. You have to dig through housewares and books. Lulus on Canada Avenue between Ingram and Kenneth is a small shop, a bit messy, and also expensive. Hidden at the west end of Station Street across Government is a thrift shop housed in the lower floor of a large house. There's lots of household items but they're fairly expensive and the place reeks of tobacco smoke (smoking owner).
I've previously mentioned the Duncan Seventh Day Adventist thrift store about 1 mile west of the hospital on Gibbins Road, and the free store at the Bings Creek dump at the west end of Drinkwater.
Vancouver Island thrift shop listings:
http://bcthriftshop.blogspot.ca/p/listing-of.html
Why not Value Village?
It would seem that the first name that comes to mind of thrift shoppers is Value Village. I don't mention this organisation for one reason: They are a deceitful outfit run as a for-profit.
One would think, with association of various charities, that Value Village is a charity.
Far from it. Value Village, through it's U.S.-based parents Savers, Inc. is owned by U.S.-based private equity funds (can you say "1%er"?)
As a private company, its charitable donations don't have to be disclosed. From what journalists have been able to discern from employees, it is only in the piddling thousands. It's primary mission is to make money for its investors, not to make charitable donations. The only way charities seem to benefit is to sell their collections to the various Savers outlets who pay a pittance per pound, and this appears to exclude heavy items such as furniture.
Savers has been fined by the Minnesota Attorney General for misleading the public over its charitable intent (or lack thereof) and also had to be cajoled by the Washington Attorney General to provide information (it provides the bare minimum information after not providing anything for a quarter century). What little information they do provide is hidden behind a veil of obfuscation.
The Boston-area Big Brothers dropped its partnership with Savers and found that by operating its own stores (even with associated expenses), it increased its income from donations by 3-4x. Reportedly over 6 of the charities that have worked with Savers have dropped the partnership.
By giving your donations to Value Village, you're providing free inventory to Savers, Inc. Talk about entitlement.
Please give your donations to a real charity.
See:
http://invw.org/2015/10/28/the-thrift-store-chain-that-dressed-up-like-a-charity-and-got-sued/
Of course, all the profits have spawned imitators. A home-grown version called Talize, based in Ontario, has just opened a store in Delta
One would think, with association of various charities, that Value Village is a charity.
Far from it. Value Village, through it's U.S.-based parents Savers, Inc. is owned by U.S.-based private equity funds (can you say "1%er"?)
As a private company, its charitable donations don't have to be disclosed. From what journalists have been able to discern from employees, it is only in the piddling thousands. It's primary mission is to make money for its investors, not to make charitable donations. The only way charities seem to benefit is to sell their collections to the various Savers outlets who pay a pittance per pound, and this appears to exclude heavy items such as furniture.
Savers has been fined by the Minnesota Attorney General for misleading the public over its charitable intent (or lack thereof) and also had to be cajoled by the Washington Attorney General to provide information (it provides the bare minimum information after not providing anything for a quarter century). What little information they do provide is hidden behind a veil of obfuscation.
The Boston-area Big Brothers dropped its partnership with Savers and found that by operating its own stores (even with associated expenses), it increased its income from donations by 3-4x. Reportedly over 6 of the charities that have worked with Savers have dropped the partnership.
By giving your donations to Value Village, you're providing free inventory to Savers, Inc. Talk about entitlement.
Please give your donations to a real charity.
See:
http://invw.org/2015/10/28/the-thrift-store-chain-that-dressed-up-like-a-charity-and-got-sued/
Of course, all the profits have spawned imitators. A home-grown version called Talize, based in Ontario, has just opened a store in Delta
Powell River
It's been over 3 years since we were last there but there are two thrift shops in Powell River, conveniently adjacent to each other hidden in the SE corner of Joyce and Alberni (access on Quebec Avenue, if it is marked as such, off Alberni).
Our favorite of the two is the MCC shop which has good prices. Just north of it is the Health Care Auxilliary Economy Shop which seems to have more clothing. Both have good prices. Free lot parking.
As Powell River is a poorer community with limited shopping, these two shops are very popular and well-supported by the community.
Our favorite of the two is the MCC shop which has good prices. Just north of it is the Health Care Auxilliary Economy Shop which seems to have more clothing. Both have good prices. Free lot parking.
As Powell River is a poorer community with limited shopping, these two shops are very popular and well-supported by the community.
Victoria West - VIew Royal and Esquimalt
Some of our better finds have been west of Victoria Harbour, a seemingly-richer place with lots of stock.
Immediately across the harbour in the mall encompassed by Bay, Wilson and Tyee is a small WIN. It has mainly clothes but some housewares and collectibles. Free lot parking.
Heading west on Craigflower just west of Tillicum (NW side) is a Saint Vincent de Paul. This one seems to have better a selection of housewares and collectibles. Decent prices. Free lot parking.
Continuing onto Island Highway just west of Helmcken is the View Royal Salvation Army which may be the best for collectibles and housewares in Victoria. It has a lot of stock. Lot parking.
Also out in View Royal in the mall off Admirals Road and Aldersmith Place (SW corner) is an SPCA though prices are pretty high. Free lot parking.
Vancouver Island thrft store listings
http://bcthriftshop.blogspot.ca/p/listing-of.html
Immediately across the harbour in the mall encompassed by Bay, Wilson and Tyee is a small WIN. It has mainly clothes but some housewares and collectibles. Free lot parking.
 |
| WIN Westside |
Heading west on Craigflower just west of Tillicum (NW side) is a Saint Vincent de Paul. This one seems to have better a selection of housewares and collectibles. Decent prices. Free lot parking.
 |
| Society of St. Vincent de Paul - Esquimalt |
Continuing onto Island Highway just west of Helmcken is the View Royal Salvation Army which may be the best for collectibles and housewares in Victoria. It has a lot of stock. Lot parking.
 |
| Salvation Army - View Royal |
Also out in View Royal in the mall off Admirals Road and Aldersmith Place (SW corner) is an SPCA though prices are pretty high. Free lot parking.
Vancouver Island thrft store listings
http://bcthriftshop.blogspot.ca/p/listing-of.html
Victoria
Probably the best place to thrift shop in B.C. as it seems to have the largest number of thrift shops for a given municipality, though greater Vancouver has more.
There seem to be only a few "chains", namely the Salvation Army, WINs (Women in Need), Saint Vincent de Paul and Beacon Community Services. There's also a good number of United Church thrift shops though we haven't visited any yet (very limited opening days).
The Salvation Army probably has the most thrift shops in Victoria though they do tend to be a bit expensive (bargains still to be had).
The big one is at the west end of Johnson Street. Quite a large selection but it is also fairly picked over. Very limited paid street parking and some free parkade parking but that's also limited.
On Hillside at Quadra (NW side) is one of the "suburban" stores. Usual SA. Free but somewhat-limited lot and street parking.
To the north and northwest, in what may be considered South Saanich are the stores at Quadra @ Hulford (NW corner) and Shelbourne and Cedar Hill Cross (SW corner, street access from Ophir). The Shelbourne store is bigger and has more selection but both are still interesting. Almost no street for the Quadra Street store and extremely limited lot parking. Decent amount of lot parking for Shelbourne.
Beacon Community Services has 2 stores in Victoria. On Pandora @ Douglas (SE corner) is a small store with mainly clothes but some housewares. Limited street parking. Opposite the Hillside Salvation Army (access from Quadra) is another small store. Small amount of everything. A little bit haphazard organisation. Limited free street parking. Only place where I've seen a tip jar for the volunteers.
On Yates (south side) between Blanshard and Quadra is a Saint Vincent de Paul. As with other downtown Victoria stores, it seems to be picked over (busy, poorer pool of donours). Limited paid street parking.
One of the "chains" in the province that only has a single store in Victori is Bibles for Missions. The store, on Government Street just north of Bay, is smaller than most of the other BFMs and a bit more expensive but they do have interesting items. Free street parking.
Nested in the "U" around Blanshard, Cloverdale and Oak is the sole Habitat for Humanity ReStore. It's a small store with mainly home reno wares.
Vancouver Island thrift store listings
http://bcthriftshop.blogspot.ca/p/listing-of.html
There seem to be only a few "chains", namely the Salvation Army, WINs (Women in Need), Saint Vincent de Paul and Beacon Community Services. There's also a good number of United Church thrift shops though we haven't visited any yet (very limited opening days).
The Salvation Army probably has the most thrift shops in Victoria though they do tend to be a bit expensive (bargains still to be had).
The big one is at the west end of Johnson Street. Quite a large selection but it is also fairly picked over. Very limited paid street parking and some free parkade parking but that's also limited.
On Hillside at Quadra (NW side) is one of the "suburban" stores. Usual SA. Free but somewhat-limited lot and street parking.
 |
| Salvation Army in Hillside/Quadra |
To the north and northwest, in what may be considered South Saanich are the stores at Quadra @ Hulford (NW corner) and Shelbourne and Cedar Hill Cross (SW corner, street access from Ophir). The Shelbourne store is bigger and has more selection but both are still interesting. Almost no street for the Quadra Street store and extremely limited lot parking. Decent amount of lot parking for Shelbourne.
 |
| Salvation Army on Quadra Street |
 |
| Beacon thrift shop on Hillside/Quadra |
The two Victoria WINs are at Pandora at Blanshard (SW side) and Cook Street at Park (NE side). They're mainly clothes-oriented but also have some housewares. Limited paid street parking. Paid for Pandora, free for Cook.
 |
| WIN on Cook Street |
On Yates (south side) between Blanshard and Quadra is a Saint Vincent de Paul. As with other downtown Victoria stores, it seems to be picked over (busy, poorer pool of donours). Limited paid street parking.
 |
| Bibles for Missions on Government Street |
Nested in the "U" around Blanshard, Cloverdale and Oak is the sole Habitat for Humanity ReStore. It's a small store with mainly home reno wares.
 |
| ReStore Victoria |
Vancouver Island thrift store listings
http://bcthriftshop.blogspot.ca/p/listing-of.html
Auction
A couple of weeks ago, I was browsing through some local resale website and chanced upon a posting by the Salvation Army in Nanaimo. The two stores hold auctions every couple of weeks and people go bid on them. By chance, I saw a coffee pot in a pattern that my wife started on just a few weeks ago, spurred on by a stack of plates for $1 (1/2 price) at the New West hospital auxiliary store. This pattern is rare as we've only seen a few pieces in visits to dozens of thrift stores in the past few weeks.
So we made a bid on a trip to Nanaimo and went it to buy it today (no one else bid on it). Interesting system as they're trying to eliminate false bids and other rigging systems. You need an ID slip these days!
Stopped at the Ladysmith freestore on the way back but it was bare....
So we made a bid on a trip to Nanaimo and went it to buy it today (no one else bid on it). Interesting system as they're trying to eliminate false bids and other rigging systems. You need an ID slip these days!
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| Beautiful item 114 - Scraffito by Meakin |
Stopped at the Ladysmith freestore on the way back but it was bare....
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