Province to make non-profit thrift stores eligible for security rebate

The Manitoba government is expanding its business security rebate to include non-profit thrift stores, after some charities spent thousands on cameras and other equipment amid a rash of break-ins, vandalism and shoplifting.

Justice Minister Matt Wiebe told the Free Press he has asked his department to expedite the expansion and make the rebate available to thrift stores as soon as possible.

“We’ve been listening to community and really trying to find new ways to support businesses and community in making our neighbourhoods safer,” he said. “We certainly have heard from the thrift stores, and the need to expand the program to those kinds of retailers.”

“We certainly have heard from the thrift stores, and the need to expand the program to those kinds of retailers.”

Wiebe said the expansion was already being explored when directors of some non-profit thrift stores called for government support in a Free Press article last month.

In December, the province launched a $10-million fund that offers up to $2,500 for security equipment or property damage repairs to each eligible business, retroactive to Aug. 23, 2024. Non-profit and charitable organizations were not eligible.

More than $2 million has been distributed to more than 1,100 businesses. Applications for a separate fund for homeowners and tenants closed April 30.

Susan Lockhart, president of the non-profit, volunteer-run Just Like New to You thrift store at 635 Portage Ave., and Charlotte McTavish, executive director of the non-profit Canadian Goodwill Industries, welcomed news that the rebate will be expanded.

They were among those who lobbied the province to include thrift stores.

“I’m super excited and I’m pleased that because of you guys it’s being showcased, and things are going to happen,” Lockhart said, referring to the Free Press. “It’s pure grassroots advocacy work that does work.”

Lockhart emailed a letter to Wiebe and Premier Wab Kinew’s offices last month, in addition to speaking to the Free Press, to call for the expansion. She said she sent two additional emails and did not receive a response, leaving her disappointed.

McTavish said she also sent a letter to Wiebe’s office last month, but did not receive a reply. She said she hopes to hear from the province about the expansion.

“That would really help us immensely,” she said of the rebate.

Wiebe said the government will respond.

“It’s pure grassroots advocacy work that does work.”

Some Canadian Goodwill Industries thrift stores have been broken into multiple times or had multiple windows smashed in recent years. The store at 1540 Pembina Hwy. was broken into twice in as many days in April.

Just Like New to You has raised more than $1 million for the HSC Foundation since it opened 21 years ago. In recent years, multiple windows have been smashed by burglars or vandals.

Last Sunday night, a man set a small fire in the store’s doorway after people tried to break in. Surveillance video showed passersby stomping on the flames to extinguish them.

Lockhart put down a deposit Friday for a security gate that will block the doorway. The gate will cost almost $5,000. Two new, stronger windows will cost almost $5,000.

The costs are on top the thousands previously spent to replace broken windows and install security cameras. It’s not worth filing insurance claims because the deductible is expensive and premiums would rise, Lockhart said.

Money that is spent on security measures is money that could go to charity, she said. The store also supports organizations in the neighbourhood.

Lockhart said the financial impact of crime is becoming unsustainable. She fears the store will close without government support.

“(The article) showcased the good in our city. It’s nice that people care about us.”

Volunteers do not want that to happen, given it has supported and provided affordable clothing and household items to residents of the downtown, West Broadway and West End areas for two decades and counting.

Its customers include low-income families, seniors and students on fixed incomes, newcomers and homeless people.

After Lockhart spoke to the Free Press last month, an anonymous reader donated almost $3,000 to cover the cost of a new window to replace one that was broken during a break-in in March.

She said two other readers each donated $500.

“(The article) showcased the good in our city. It’s nice that people care about us,” she said.

McTavish said Canadian Goodwill Industries’ Pembina Highway store received an increase in donations of clothing and other items, while customers shared words of support with staff.

“The community is really good to us there. People were saddened, disappointed and showed their concern,” she said.

The charity provides job training and pays wages to people who face employment barriers.

chris.kitching@freepress.mb.ca