‘It would be a real shame if we have to close down’

Susan Lockhart and other volunteers who operate a charity thrift store in Winnipeg’s inner city fear recurring break-ins and vandalism — and the high cost of repairs — will force it to shut down.

Lockhart, the president of Just Like New to You, which donates proceeds to the HSC Foundation, is urging the Manitoba government to extend a security rebate program to non-profit thrift stores.

“Most of us are 100 per cent volunteer, 100 per cent donations and raising money for charities, and it’s just kind of a sad situation when we might have to end up closing our doors because of theft,” Lockhart said Thursday. “The last couple of years have been increasingly difficult.”

Just Like New to You, at 635 Portage Ave., near Sherbrook Street, has donated nearly $1 million to the HSC Foundation since it opened 21 years ago.

Lockhart said the store also supports local shelters and inner-city children’s programs, and provides free clothing and household items to families and other people in need.

“We’re proud of our store, and we want it to continue,” she said.

While shoplifting is common, windows have been smashed three times in the last few years. The most recent incident happened at about 5 a.m. on March 27, when a thief broke in and walked out 45 minutes later with some items.

Winnipeg police confirmed the break-in is under investigation, and no one has been arrested.

Lockhart said the store has spent nearly $15,000 on new windows, repairs and security cameras in the last year. Volunteers are considering installing security gates, which would cost about $10,000, to prevent burglaries.

Every dollar that goes toward repairs is a dollar taken away from charitable work and from keeping prices low for customers, who include low-income families, seniors and students on fixed incomes, newcomers and homeless people, Lockhart said.

She said the financial impact of crime is becoming unsustainable. The store didn’t file insurance claims after most of the recent incidents because its deductible is expensive and its premiums would increase.

Volunteers have had to call police on occasion when people who appeared intoxicated came in and caused problems in the store.

Lockhart said many volunteers, who are mostly seniors, are feeling increasingly unsafe due to threatening behaviour by a small number of visitors.

Some second-hand shops keep their doors locked during business hours to control those who come and go. Lockhart said Just Like New to You wants to keep its doors unlocked to remain welcoming to the neighbourhood.

She sent a letter this week to Justice Minister Matt Wiebe requesting that charity thrift stores be included in a security rebate program to help offset the cost of new equipment or property damage repairs.

“There’s a gap for non-profits,” Lockhart said.

A spokesperson for Wiebe said the government welcomed feedback about the rebate program.

“We take this feedback seriously and we will be assessing next steps for the program for the future,” the spokesperson said in a statement.

In December, the province launched a $10-million fund that offered up to $2,500 for each eligible business. A provincial spokesperson said $2.3 million was distributed to 1,123 businesses as of April 16.

“It would be a real shame if we have to close down. It might come to that if we don’t have any supports out there.”

A separate $2-million fund provides rebates of up to $300 to homeowners and tenants who purchase new security equipment.

Lockhart said she is waiting to hear from the federal government to find out if it has programs or grants that can help thrift stores beset by crime, although her online search didn’t bring up any results.

“It would be a real shame if we have to close down. It might come to that if we don’t have any supports out there,” she said.

Canadian Goodwill Industries executive director Charlotte McTavish said she would welcome additional supports while non-profit thrift stores deal with crime, including frequent shoplifting, and high costs.

She was frustrated after the charity’s thrift store at 1540 Pembina Hwy. was broken into twice, and catalytic converters were stolen from two donation collection trucks, which were also spray-painted, in a three-day span this week.

The incidents were reported to police, McTavish said.

“After hearing the news about the trucks (Thursday) morning, I’m tired. I don’t understand why someone would target charities. We’re already struggling as it is,” she said.

Canadian Goodwill Industries provides job training and pays wages to people who face employment barriers.

The first break-in was discovered Tuesday morning, when staff arrived to find a front window smashed and items missing from a display.

“I don’t understand why someone would target charities… We’re already struggling as it is.”

McTavish said more items were stolen Wednesday, when someone pried off a board that covered the broken window.

Seven break-ins have occurred at three of the non-profit’s Winnipeg stores in the last five years, she said. Security alarms and cameras haven’t deterred thieves.

“What more can you do? We felt all of this would work. The people who are breaking in, I honestly don’t think they care if they are seen or not,” McTavish said.

She said the charity, which is celebrating its 95th anniversary this year, cannot afford additional security measures.

The non-profit doesn’t file insurance claims when store windows are smashed because the deductible exceeds the cost of repairs, McTavish said.

Meanwhile, the trucks that were vandalized, while parked overnight in a lot near Notre Dame Avenue and Dagmar Street, could be out of service for weeks.

It’s not the first time thrift store operators in Winnipeg have raised concerns about crime or escalating costs.

In 2024, D’Arcy’s ARC Thrift Store on Main Street, just south of Redwood Avenue, closed for those reasons after deciding not to renew its lease.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca