Thrift store has generous intentions
KITCHENER — In the coming days, a Kitchener thrift shop will celebrate its first anniversary.
But it was a much longer journey before The Perfect Find Thrift Store was able to open its doors.
The idea for the shop — a not-for-profit with the goal of supporting Christian education both locally and globally — was first raised about four years ago.
Parents and others with ties to Laurentian Hills Christian School in Kitchener were looking for a project that could provide another source of income for the independent school. The concept of a thrift store that supported Christian schools has been tested and proven in other communities.
With a board that included individuals with law, accounting and business experience, and a lot of research into the concept, “we really felt like we could do this,” says original board member, and now store manager, Jodi VanNoord.
“We wanted to be a presence in our community,” she says. “It wasn’t just about being Christians within the walls of our school.”
A lengthy search finally brought them to the Forest Glen Plaza at Strasburg and Block Line roads, where loans and contributions from a host of donors allowed them to transform three retail units into one 7,000-square foot space.
A bright, well-organized store awaits customers, with row upon row of clothing sharing the space with everything from books and toys to furniture and household items.
There’s even an area dedicated to antiques and collectibles.
“We really wanted to stand out, we wanted to be unique,” VanNoord says. “It’s not about quantity, it’s about quality.”
The store has two paid staff members and about 125 volunteers on its roster. Some are students from area Christian, public and Catholic schools; others are seniors, those with special needs, people with a connection to area Christian schools, or nearby residents. Neighbours “have become our family,” VanNoord says. Volunteers and customers alike “want to see it succeed.”
Donations are accepted whenever the store is open. Large appliances or building materials can’t be accepted due to space limitations. Items are priced in order to be accessible to everybody; some items are ultimately donated by the store to others in need if they haven’t sold.
So far, the store has been able to donate $10,000 to Laurentian Hills, and $2,000 to Woodland Christian High School in Breslau to support a mission trip to the Dominican Republic. VanNoord says they’re also still in the process of paying back donors who helped to get the doors open.
The Perfect Find opened last March; they’ll host an anniversary event April 7 with refreshments, children’s activities and special offers.
“This is a job with a bit of a higher purpose for me,” says assistant manager Leah VanderZwaag. “We’re helping the kids’ school community, we’re helping the community that we’re in. It just feels good to come in to work every day.”