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For those of you who have yet to venture this far west in the city to secondhand shop, it is certainly worth the effort. Although typically thought of as a "university district" - this area caters to a much broader community. As a shopping hub for locals you can find all the basics including grocery stores, produce stores, fish markets, bakeries, bookstores, pharmacies, kitchen stores, local library, and more. Secondhand shopping enthusiasts can find everything from rare books (Michael John Thompson Bookseller), country furniture (Small Comforts Antiques), to a clothing consignment store for women (Changes Consignment Clothing). Getting here is relatively easy by both bus (#99 and #10) and by car-parking is ample and free. All of this and some wonderful new coffee shops like Zias, Pane E Formaggio, and old favourites like Bean Around the World and Starbucks. Restaurants are many and include Provence, Ghandis, Dentry's Irish Grill, Some Kinda Pasta, and Café Barney. You can even catch a matinee on the weekend at the local movie theatre-The Varsity. From here you are also only minutes from the University of British Columbia, the Endowment Lands (with a huge selection of wonderful walking and biking trails), and Spanish Banks. For those of you who have always wondered about Wreck Beach (our local nude beach) it is also close by.
The store carries a lot of new items as well as "like-new" consignments that are received everyday. The consignment clothes can best be described as contemporary and cover a wide array of styles while the new merchandise comes from fashion designers and retail stores across Canada. The store inventory is also fully computerized making it easy to track clothes on consignment and help customers find specific items. Another unique feature of Changes Clothing Consignment is the semi-annual
fashion show -a favourite for many of the Rhonda also supports the community by donating a huge amount of clothing to single moms and the women in need on the Downtown East Side four times per week. While some of it gets dropped off to specific shelters and networks, the rest is given to a volunteer who organizes a free give away on the corner of Hastings and Main.
All of these experiences strengthened her resolve to eventually have her own business. In her early twenties she started Davis Entertainment Group while also working full-time at Swimco and doing freelance work in PR and collections. From there she decided it was time to have her own store, and after a great deal of research and planning, she set up shop with her "not-so-silent" partner -Shadow (her black lab). She eventually grew the business to be what it is today, a very successful consignment shop. Although Shadow does still spend time at the store, Rhonda is thrilled to have an excellent team of individuals to work with including Emma Pritchard, her Assistant Manager. An important motto for Rhonda comes from Ghandi "Be the change you want to see happen in the world." This sums up how she wants her staff and her clients to feel when in her store and after they leave. "The existence of my business is meant to create positive change for all women who experience Changes -our shoppers, consignors, staff, and of course myself. This in turn is empowering. After all, Changes Good." Come find out for yourself in person or check out their Web site at www.changesclothing.com.
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Changes Consignment Clothing Cheap and Chic Clothing Co. Camelot Books Small Comforts Antiques Michael J. Thompson Antiquarian Bookseller
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Nestled
at the beginning of this shopping district is a wonderful clothing consignment
store that has been an integral part of the community for just over
four years. The store's owner Rhonda Davis, along with her wonderful
staff team, believes strongly in building a loyal customer base. "It
is important for us to get involved with the people who shop at the
store. Our regular clients are the key to our success and we enjoy getting
to know their families and watching their kids grow."
At
first glance, you might not think that this is a secondhand store. The
décor is simple, yet elegant with a touch of playfulness. Rhonda's
choices for the clothing and for the layout of the store are all deliberate.
"I want to create a safe and empowering place for all women, regardless
of where they come from."
regulars.
This sell-out event has been part of the business since the very beginning.
Clients meet at the store for some great shopping and then walk up to
a local restaurant for lunch and the fashion show. No professional models
here, all clothing is from the store and is worn by regular clients.
And, if you like what you see -all items are on sale. 
