Quadra Islanders have some intriguing items to rehome.
This is a revelation Shelby Mitchell and Hannah Rohan had in the process of opening the island's only thrift shop, Quadra Island Thrift, located in Quathiaski Cove.
"We have a lot of leather chaps," Mitchell said, chuckling. "But also keyboards, vintage tools, vintage pantsuits, and random collectables. We spent a lot of time using Google Lens, trying to figure out what everything is, and what it's worth."
For the grand opening last Saturday (May 17), the pair collaborated with some neighbours to throw a party with live music. Despite the rain, it was a great success.
"Tons of people came out," Rohan said. "It was packed all day. People were super supportive and everyone has been really enthusiastic."
Mitchell and Rohan said they chose to open a thrift store not only because of their passion for thrifting but also to help reduce textile waste, which comes from clothes that are disposed in landfills. It is one of the fastest growing forms of waste worldwide.
Another goal is to keep items with locally relevant histories in the community. This works toward a "greater connection to place, strengthening community ties and resilience, reducing transportation, and keeping proceeds from sales in our island home," according to the thrift store's mission statement.
When people drop off a donation with local, community, or personal history, they are encouraged to include the history with the item in a note or when they drop it off.
To cultivate a spirit of community and creativity, Mitchell and Rohan said they started a community weaving project with a loom. This initiative invites community members to participate by weaving shirts and other textiles that can't be sold into an ongoing art piece.
The thrift shop is open four days a week from Thursday to Sunday, with all the proceeds above their operating costs, which includes an hourly living wage, donated to local initiatives in the community.
