A thrift shop that gives away many of their items to needy people in the North End has become victimized by a break-in.
And Jaye Beaulieu, founder, owner and volunteer staff member at the All Seasons Thrift Store at 1406 Main St., said she didn't have any insurance on the contents stolen on Tuesday night because no insurance company will insure second-hand goods.
‘I’ve got a two-page list of what they stole’ — Jaye Beaulieu
"This has been a terrible loss," Beaulieu said Thursday.
"They came in through the back door and opened up all the locks, kicked in the office door, stole a lot of aboriginal items, all the costume jewelry and diapers. I've got a two- page list of what they stole.
"And they left a heck of a mess."
Beaulieu said police believe the thieves didn't use a vehicle, but fled on foot after filling backpacks and plastic shopping bags with stolen goods.
The sad thing is, Beaulieu said her policy has always been if somebody really needs something, she'll give it to them for free.
"All they had to do was ask," Beaulieu said.
"But these weren't just things they needed. They also took all of the flags and a whole doll collection. Those weren't needed."
Beaulieu estimates the thieves made off with more than $1,000 worth of goods.
"We had no insurance for the second-hand items," she said.
"We only have insurance for items like shelves and showcases and they weren't damaged. We tried getting insurance for the second-hand items, but we were turned down.
"So it's a complete loss for us."
Lindsay Olson, the Insurance Bureau of Canada's vice-president for B.C., Saskatchewan and Manitoba, said she believes underwriters are balking at insuring second hand items because it's hard to figure out how much they are worth.
"How would you value it?" Olson said.
"What is the cash value of second -hand goods? Furniture is more permanent and tends to hold its value, but clothing doesn't tend to hold its value.
"It has value to the seller only if they can sell it."
Beaulieu said she's hoping the community she has helped repeatedly in the last five years will now come forward to help her.
And she hopes that some day insurance policies can change to cover second hand goods.
"Even if I could have recouped $1,000 it would have helped."
kevin.rollason@freepress.mb.ca
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