Thrift shop takes off

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/06/2021 (1749 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Despite capacity limits and little advertising, Elie’s thrift shop’s opening week saw a steady flow of traffic and pulled in enough money to pay for next month’s rent. 

The 1,700-square-foot store was packed with donations as soon as organizers took possession in the beginning of June. People continued to bring goods in after the shop’s opening day, June 16 — and as they did, customers would snag what was being brought before it hit shelves.

“It amazes me how quickly it’s all going out the door and how quickly it’s all being replaced,” said Cheryl Stock, one of the shop’s head organizers. 

The store is one of three branches under a new non-profit called Cartier Cares. As of June 22, the group was waiting for paperwork to come back saying it’s officially incorporated.

Revenue from the thrift store not spent on operating costs will go to a community food bank. Stock said the Cartier Cares board aims to begin on the food bank in the fall, once the thrift shop is running smoothly and its policies are concrete.

Money from the shop will also be used towards a local Christmas hamper program, the third branch of Cartier Cares. Volunteers will start planning that initiative in October, Stock said.

“It’s going to be an ambitious next four, five months, but I feel like our timeline is realistic,” she said.

Everything is moving quickly, according to Stock. Rural municipality of Cartier Coun. Estelle Thornson (Dacotah/Springstein) mentioned creating a thrift shop to Stock pre-pandemic; plans halted when COVID-19 spread.

Earlier this year, Stock collected donations for her friend, who was moving to Winnipeg for a fresh start. The donations overflowed in their holding place, Elie Community Club, spurring the need for a thrift shop.

The former dance studio space in Gillis Garage at 14 Main St. East in Elie became available, so Stock and fellow organizers jumped to take it. The landlords got to work, redoing the bathrooms and painting to freshen up the space.

In the meantime, Stock was recruiting volunteers. There are now about 25, and folks continue to sign up as they visit the new outlet.

“I’ve never had such an easy time getting volunteers,” said Stock, who is also president of Elie Community Club and participates on other local boards, including F5 Fitness and St. Eustache Minor Hockey Association.

Organizers are keeping prices low — they want turnover. Baby clothes are 50 cents, adult clothing is $2, dish sets can be $4 and furniture is cheap. 

“Every single day was almost like a complete turnover on furniture,” Stock said.

People from St. Francois Xavier, Oakville, Fannystelle and Starbuck have dropped off items, as have local residents.

“We’re dependent on donations still coming in, but I really don’t see that being an issue,” Stock said.

The shop is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Thursdays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. If the volunteer-run store makes between $180 and $200 a week, it will cover its bills, Stock said.

The goal is to make more money to fund Cartier Cares’s other social ventures, she said.

But, if someone in the community needs a boost, organizers will give goods for free. A single pregnant mother came by when the store was closed to pick up things she needed for her baby.

“We … help out when help is needed,” Coun. Thornson said. “We were able to do that, and that was good.”

People can donate items during store hours or by contacting Thornson or Stock. Thornson said she hopes to have a drop off bin with a cover near the shop soon so people can bring goods any time.