A new discovery during my Vancouver visit this summer was My Sister’s Closet (1092 Seymour Street, on Helmcken), a non-profit thrift store run by the Battered Women’s Support Services (BWSS) of Vancouver. The store offers high-quality used clothes, and a selection of new clothes thanks to donations from local chains like Aritzia. It also hosts clothing swaps (admission by donation) for women, babies and children. 100% of the proceeds from the store goes to BWSS operations.
The BWSS offers a variety of services for women suffering from violence including a crisis line, legal advocacy and court accompaniment, employment services, among many others. The Services reaches more than 8,000 women each year.
The prices at the store are slightly higher than what you might find at Value Village or Salvation Army, but they go to a good cause, and the sorting time is definitely shorter than at the thrifting giants. During my visit to the store a couple weeks ago, I found this Banana Republic top/tunic for $12:
You can join the Facebook group for the store to stay up-to-date with the upcoming clothing swaps and donations.
MizzJ
/ August 16, 2011This store is a great downtown find and a rarity among the Yaletown landscape. I like the manageable size and they also carry some great local jewellery lines.