In an era when many things are disposable, it’s nice to know many items have a second life. Instead of heading to the landfill, pieces can be passed on to another person and used over again. That’s the life cycle of thrifting, which is on full display at Mission Thrift Store in Guelph.
For the last 22 years, they’ve provided quality second-hand items at a fraction of the cost of their original price. By giving these items new life, it not only fills a need for another person, but it also avoids sending items to landfill.
Victor McQuade is the general manager of Guelph’s Mission Thrift Store and explains that his staff takes pride in the items that come into their store, and they give them the respect and care they deserve.
“I come from a sales and marketing background. Our philosophy is that we do not need to look junky,” McQuade said. “We have gone out of our way to market and merchandise this place properly.
“I even had one person who described us as the Hudson’s Bay of thrift stores. People will tell us every day that they love to come here because it’s bright, it’s open and things are easy to find.”
Items are priced fairly at Mission Thrift Store, often lower than can be found elsewhere. As a non-profit company, all of Mission Thrift’s net profits go to literacy programs around the world. They’re also closely linked to many local community agencies and provide free clothing and items when needed.
Thrifting culture has taken off over the last few years, with people of all backgrounds and ages getting into it. McQuade has noticed a younger demographic that shops at the store who will only buy items second-hand, not only for the financial aspect but also for the environmental impact.
Last year, Mission Thrift helped keep over a million items out of landfill through sales and recycling. The positive impact on the environment is staggering, given how much energy and water is used to make new clothing.
Many shoppers stop by Mission Thrift Store in Guelph, on a daily basis, to check out what unique or new items are for sale. There’s an aisle in the store called the “Collector’s Corner” which features one-of-a-kind items like the world’s smallest book or a spear thrower carved out of whalebone from the 1800s.
Thanks to fair pricing, many of the basic essentials, like clothing and kitchenware, are within people’s budgets. And for those who are looking to splurge a little, you can often find a great deal on a unique treasure, too.
“I say I have two kinds of customers; the people who want it and the people who need it,” McQuade said. “The people who want it are in the collector’s corner, but the people who need it are looking through the clothing at a price that pretty much anybody on any kind of income can afford.”
Whether it’s a rare collectible or a pair of basic jeans, there’s something for every bargain hunter at Mission Thrift Store.
Visit them in Guelph at 228 Victoria Road South. For more information on Mission Thrift, check out their website.