Thrift shop coming into its own

Prairie Crocus supports society’s most vulnerable

By: Sheldon Birnie Posted: 10:10 AM CDT Friday, Sep. 7, 2018

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This article was published 07/09/2018 (2768 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Two years after opening their doors, the Prairie Crocus Thrift Shop is starting to bloom.

“We’re in a good position now where the store is starting to see some stability,” said Bruno Deleau, a longtime board member and volunteer for Prairie Crocus, which is located at 930 Nairn Ave. “While we haven’t made a lot of money yet for the organizations we support, we’ve held our own. I think we’re at a place where we’ll start seeing revenue going back to the organizations we were founded to support.”

Prairie Crocus Thrift Shop is a non-profit venture founded to provide revenue for two charity organizations: Dignity House, a ministry supporting women who are exiting the sex trade, and Finding Freedom, which aids those suffering from addiction, trauma and spiritual brokenness.

“If you don’t have addiction in your family, you’re fortunate. So many people do,” said Candy Anaka-Paré, a volunteer who got involved with Prairie Crocus with her husband after hearing about it earlier this year. “This work, it’s touching lives of people who could be your family member.”

Both Anaka-Paré and Deleau, who is also the board chair for Finding Freedom, believe that the programs the shop supports are providing important supports to the local community.

“Most of the population suffers from some sort of unhealthy behavior,” Deleau said. “This organization is a thrift store, but we want to make it a place that’s safe.”

In a competitive thrift market, Prairie Crocus aims to provide clients with quality goods and a top-notch shopping experience.

“The people who started the store wanted to make it a bit different,” said Deleau, who has been involved with Prairie Crocus since the early planning stage. “A lot of people who come here do so because they don’t have disposable income to go to fancy department or clothing stores. But giving them that experience here is a lift for them.”

“It’s almost like a family here,” Anaka-Paré said. “People come in and say hi. They recognize you. There’s a connection.”

The store takes donations of gently used clothing and household items during operating hours, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

“Our volunteers are diligent in sorting everything, making sure everything is in good order, working, clean and in good shape,” Deleau said. “We’re somewhat selective in items that we won’t take, like items that might house bedbugs.”

“Thrifting is very eco-friendly,” Anaka-Paré said. “You’re giving items another life.”

“Items that we can’t use, or that have been here too long, we package those up and donate them to other charities that can use them,” Deleau added. “We’re not just throwing things in the garbage.”

As a non-profit, Prairie Crocus relies on volunteers to keep the store running.

“The strength in this store is its volunteers,” Deleau said. “I’d say about a dozen to 16 people who are regular volunteers, but we always need more.”

For more information, or to volunteer, visit prairiecrocusthriftshop.ca or call 204-219-2058.

Two years after opening their doors, the Prairie Crocus Thrift Shop is starting to bloom.

“We’re in a good position now where the store is starting to see some stability,” said Bruno Deleau, a longtime board member and volunteer for Prairie Crocus, which is located at 930 Nairn Ave.

(From left) Tony Paré, Candy Anaka-Paré and Bruno Deleau are volunteers at Prairie Crocus Thrift Shop (930 Nairn Ave.). (SHELDON BIRNIE/CANSTAR/THE HERALD

“While we haven’t made a lot of money yet for the organizations we support, we’ve held our own. I think we’re at a place where we’ll start seeing revenue going back to the organizations we were founded to support.”

“This work, it’s touching lives of people who could be your family member.”