Prairie Crocus celebrates year at new location

Customer, volunteer appreciation event scheduled for Oct. 3

Advertisement

Advertise with us

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/09/2020 (1861 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Despite a global pandemic, Prairie Crocus Thrift Shop has had a successful first year at their new location.
The shop, which relocated from 930 Nairn Ave. to 919 McLeod Ave. last fall, is a non-profit venture that runs thanks to the hard work of volunteers. 
“It’s been a crazy, fabulous year,” said Candy Anaka-Paré, a volunteer and board member of Prairie Crocus. “The community has been so supportive.”
According to Anaka-Paré, business at the new locattion was going well and picking up steam early in 2020.
“Then COVID hit,” she said. 
The shop, like most places, closed down. 
“We were worried,” Anaka-Paré admitted. “But since we opened again, we’ve been gangbusters. We’ve been able to raise so much more for our programs. It’s fantastic.”
Since its inception in 2016, Prairie Crocus has raised through sales for two charitable organizations: Finding Freedom, a group which “aids those suffering from addiction, trauma and spiritual brokenness,” and Dignity House, a ministry supporting women who are exiting the sex trade. 
Recently, Prairie Crocus has shifted its support from Dignity House to Riverwood House, a supportive housing development in Elmwood which, once construction is complete, will provide residents who are battling addiction with an ongoing “sober, supportive environment” to complete their recovery.
“We’re so excited to be working with them,” Anaka-Paré said.
While Prairie Crocus has benefitted from strong community support in terms of sales and the amount of donations they receive, Anaka-Paré said they can always use more volunteers.
“We try to bring volunteers in, show them around, and find where their gifts or interests lie,” Anaka-Paré explained. “We do an assessment that way, and pop them into that area.”
Anyone looking to volunteer a minimum of four hours per week should contact the shop for more information.
On Sat., Oct. 3, the shop will be hosting a celebration, of sorts, marking the first anniversary since moving shop from East Elmwood to North Kildonan.
“We’ve had to limit what we have planned because of COVID,” Anaka-Paré said, noting that everything in the store will be 25 per cent off.
Willy Dogs will also be on hand, selling hotdogs.
For more information, visit prairiecrocusthriftshop.ca

Despite a global pandemic, Prairie Crocus Thrift Shop has had a successful first year at their new location.

The shop, which relocated from 930 Nairn Ave. to 919 McLeod Ave. last fall, is a non-profit venture that runs thanks to the hard work of volunteers. 

Herald
On Sat., Oct. 3, Prairie Crocus Thrift Shop is celebrating a successful year at their “new” location at 919 McLeod Ave. Pictured earlier this year are Prairie Crocus board members Kim Swanson and Candace Anaka-Paré, manager Janice Howard and Riverwood Church pastor Jon Courtney.
Herald On Sat., Oct. 3, Prairie Crocus Thrift Shop is celebrating a successful year at their “new” location at 919 McLeod Ave. Pictured earlier this year are Prairie Crocus board members Kim Swanson and Candace Anaka-Paré, manager Janice Howard and Riverwood Church pastor Jon Courtney.

“It’s been a crazy, fabulous year,” said Candy Anaka-Paré, a volunteer and board member of Prairie Crocus. “The community has been so supportive.”

According to Anaka-Paré, business at the new locattion was going well and picking up steam early in 2020.

“Then COVID hit,” she said. 

The shop, like most places, closed down. 

“We were worried,” Anaka-Paré admitted. “But since we opened again, we’ve been gangbusters. We’ve been able to raise so much more for our programs. It’s fantastic.”

Since its inception in 2016, Prairie Crocus has raised through sales for two charitable organizations: Finding Freedom, a group which “aids those suffering from addiction, trauma and spiritual brokenness,” and Dignity House, a ministry supporting women who are exiting the sex trade. 

Recently, Prairie Crocus has shifted its support from Dignity House to Riverwood House, a supportive housing development in Elmwood which, once construction is complete, will provide residents who are battling addiction with an ongoing “sober, supportive environment” to complete their recovery.

“We’re so excited to be working with them,” Anaka-Paré said.

While Prairie Crocus has benefitted from strong community support in terms of sales and the amount of donations they receive, Anaka-Paré said they can always use more volunteers.

“We try to bring volunteers in, show them around, and find where their gifts or interests lie,” Anaka-Paré explained. “We do an assessment that way, and pop them into that area.”

Anyone looking to volunteer a minimum of four hours per week should contact the shop for more information.

On Sat., Oct. 3, the shop will be hosting a celebration, of sorts, marking the first anniversary since moving shop from East Elmwood to North Kildonan.

“We’ve had to limit what we have planned because of COVID,” Anaka-Paré said, noting that everything in the store will be 25 per cent off.

Willy Dogs will also be on hand, selling hotdogs.

For more information, visit prairiecrocusthriftshop.ca

Sheldon Birnie

Sheldon Birnie
Community Journalist

Sheldon Birnie is a reporter/photographer for the Free Press Community Review. The author of Missing Like Teeth: An Oral History of Winnipeg Underground Rock (1990-2001), his writing has appeared in journals and online platforms across Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. A husband and father of two young children, Sheldon enjoys playing guitar and rec hockey when he can find the time. Email him at sheldon.birnie@freepress.mb.ca Call him at 204-697-7112

Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.

Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.

Report Error Submit a Tip

The Herald

LOAD MORE