What do you get when you put together 37 women on two buses and take them secondhand clothing shopping? A whole lot of fun!

On September 16, 2001 secondhandsavvy.com along with Bodacious Consignment, Changes Consignment Clothing, E.X.Sales Inc., and the YWCA Thrift Store got together to host the first ever Secondhand Safari: Style Tour. We rented two tour buses, provided lunch, and then took everyone on a shopping spree unlike any other.

We started the day by grabbing a bite to eat, introducing everyone involved, and distributing tote bags that were filled with a wonderful assortment of gifts and resource materials. We were also pleased to donate partial proceeds of the day to ANAD: Awareness and Networking around Disordered Eating. Raine McKay was on hand to accept the cheque and offered an overview of the charity.

Following lunch, the group was split on to two buses and each headed out in separate directions with Alison Moody-Stuart as the guide on one bus and Jo-Anne Lauzer on the other. We were also quite fortunate to have Michele O'Neil from Monarch Beauty Supply on the bus. She gave each group an overview of current fashion trends and tips for shopping. At each stop, everyone was given 45 minutes to shop and many won Safari Bucks that gave them further deals in each of the stores.

There were many amazing finds throughout the day and the most fun was watching everyone show off her wares in between each stop. The buses met up at the end of the day at Changes Consignment where we raffled off prizes -with everyone winning a prize. Not only was this a fabulous shopping day, everyone was sent home with gift certificates from each of the participating stores.

The day was such a wonderful success that we intend to do it again on March 17 , 2002. For information or to purchase tickets, contact safari@secondhandsavvy.com.

The hosts for the day were:

Safari Scrapbooks:

December 2 Style Tour.
September 16 Style Tour

Bodacious Consignment: 225 East Broadway, Vancouver (604) 874-2811
www.bodacious.ca

We are Lorna Ketler and Barb Wilkins -bodacious cousins who have grown up borrowing out of each other's closets. Frustrated with the lack of clothing choices out there in sizes 14 and over, we decided to open up own our store. Our goal is to provide a welcoming, body-positive environment with hip, fun, and sexy clothing as well as accessories in a variety of choices and sizes.

We would also like to acknowledge all the sponsors who donated prizes or helped make the day possible.

Popular Girl Productions
Monarch Beauty Supplies Co.
GVRD Global Presents
21st Century Flea Market
TD Evergreen
YWCA
Color the Universe Products
Up Town
Explore B.C.
HSBC
Jurlique
Olga Campbell
Thomas Cook Travel
Vinyl Café
Grand Central Consignment
Angela James
Pampered Chef
Joe's New Furniture
West 10th Optometry Clinic
Cuppa Joe
An Herbal Bliss
Pulp Fiction
Celtic Woolens
Burcu's Angels
Athens Pizza
Brownies Florist
Echo Unique Resale
Mary Kay
Sheila Draper, R.M.T.

Changes Consignment Clothing, 4330 West 10th Ave., Vancouver (604) 222-1505 www.changesclothing.com (Rhonda Davis)

I had worked in retail since I was 14 and by the time I was 24, I was able to accomplish a long-time goal of starting my own retail store and opened Changes Consignment Clothing Co. That was four years ago and the fulfillment that I get from watching my vision grow is endless. My business is a reflection of myself and I want its existence to always provide women with a safe place of empowerment. A place of comfort, acceptance, appreciation, laughter, and of course the most perfect outfit you ever did see! Changes Good!

E.X.Sales Inc., 4406 Main St., Vancouver (604) 738-8632 (Louise Alston)

I had enjoyed 21 years as a banker with HSBC and during my career I had served on three different boards. However, my whole life passion has been resale clothing and the desire to have my own store. I was eligible for early retirement and thought why not go for it -if I don't do it now I never will. On November 1, 2000 I realized my dream and set up shop on West 4th. Recently we relocated the store to Main Street where we specialize in vintage clothing for both men and women.

YWCA Thrift Shop, 2431 West 41st Ave., Vancouver (604) 263- 3773 www.ywcavan.org (Jodie Wilson)

The YWCA has been active in our community for many years and the Thrift Shop is just one of our ways of supporting those in need. Donations of clothing, housewares, books and jewellery are sold to raise funds for YWCA programs and services. And those in need in YWCA programs are able to "shop with dignity" through the YWCA Thrift Shop Certificate Program.

Savvy Media, www.secondhandsavvy.com (604) 222-1945 (Jo-Anne Lauzer)

It has only been a year since I had this crazy notion about starting my own business and now when I look back I can't imagine doing anything else. I have always had a passion for publishing and a desire to have my own business. When I put these together with my love for everything secondhand -my business was born. I want to help people find out where and how to purchase secondhand goods while also supporting the secondhand culture by promoting awareness and enthusiasm for secondhand shopping.

Special thanks to Dan and John from Explore B.C., who were our wonderful chauffeurs for the day

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