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4th Avenue in Kits Fourth Avenue in Kitsilano (Kits) has a long history in Vancouver as being a shopping hub for locals. You can find almost anything in this area from the practical staples to some eclectic giftware. Whether you are Christmas shopping or just doing some errands, this is a wonderful alternative to the "big box" stores or even the malls. For many locals, this is a favourite destination on the weekends. There are many excellent coffee shops and some terrific restaurants representing almost every ethnicity. There are also a few local bars in the area that reflect the local community well. It is also quite central and close to downtown Vancouver, Granville Island Market, Kits Beach (a terrific place to people watch), and Vanier Park (a favourite kite flying spot). Although not always recognized as a secondhand shopping district, this has been slowly changing over the past few years. There are now quite a variety of secondhand and consignment stores in the area including clothing, sports gear, thrift, furniture, music, books, computers, and comics.
Chances are if you live in Vancouver, you have driven by this wonderful thrift store more than once. Tucked away just off the 4th Avenue Exit from Granville Street Bridge, you cannot miss the bright green signs for Seconds Please! Thrift Shoppe. Although you cannot park in front, there is parking on the side streets and the parking lot is off the lane at the east side of the building. This is a relatively new addition to the thrift store scene in Vancouver and is independently run. Here you can find a wealth of treasures ranging from the practical to the wild and wacky. Owned and operated by Maureen Uphill, this thrift store has now been open for just over a year and a half. Donations are always accepted and partial proceeds from sales support a variety of local charities. Although Maureen thoroughly enjoys what she is doing, it still surprises her that she now runs a thrift store--it was not her initial intention. With a background in real estate and advertising, she had taken a few years off to help her mother who was ill and needed to be placed in a long-term care facility. Along the way she started shopping more at thrift stores to help her mother find some clothes and for planters that she was putting together for friends. She had always liked thrift stores and each time she went into one, ideas would start to form. "The more time I spent in the stores, the more I kept thinking that I could do this and have fun with it. That was in early November of 2001 and by November 18th (my birthday)--I just woke up and decided to open up a store." From there it all happened rather quickly and by the end of the month she had found the perfect location for her store. With only a shoestring budget to work from and the help of some amazing friends, they went to work on renovating the store over Christmas. So immersed were they in the process that they were surprised when they were the last people left in Home Depot--on New Year's Eve. But holiday or not, they had to keep working straight through and were the first people back at Home Depot on January 2nd and were able to open the thrift store by January 18th 2002. With over 2,500 square feet of funky to fabulous merchandise, the store carries everything from clothing, books, furniture, glassware, housewares, to children's toys, and collectibles. Everything in the store has been donated and this helps to keep the prices down. So far one of her best benefactors has been Barb Deters--a long time friend and collector of stuff. Every week she sends about 50 pounds of merchandise to the store. Despite this being a financially stressful venture, Maureen contin Maureen keeps them smiling with her terrific sense of humour and with the many great finds and deals throughout the store. If you are brave, you can get a further discount by answering a skill-testing question. And to keep things fair, Maureen allows you to ask the audience or phone a friend. She remembers one group of women from Australia who spent an hour and a half answering questions. Between them they ended up only getting five correct answers out of about 150 questions...but they were determined. Although most items in the store are priced quite reasonably, you may notice that a few are a tad expensive. Recently she had a black porcelain cat priced for $500--not that it was worth that much but rather Maureen was just not ready to part with it. She does this with certain items that she really likes, but eventually she will sell them. The cat, a collector's item, was sold for $58. Maureen likes to joke that the thrift store carries everything and anything that you could be looking for, including the kitchen sink (currently being used for shoes). She also encourages you to let her know what you are looking for, as the "cosmic kitchen" will deliver. As an extra treat, for anyone spending more than $20 in the store they can get a free tarot reading on the weekend. The thrift store is just the beginning for Maureen, who hopes to also one day set up her own charitable fund in the memory of her mother who recently passed away. Her family did purchase a park bench in Stanley Park but Maureen wanted to do more. Her vision is to create the Vera Fund (her mother's name) that will support a variety of local charities in need. She is hoping to have it funded by the end of the year. Maureen believes strongly in following her dreams and does not mind doing the work to make them happen. Her screen saver on her computer reflects her simple philosophy well: "Hold a dream steadfast in your heart and soon you will hold it in your hand." |
The Comic Shop Home Treasures Immersion Clothing Company In Again Clothing PC Galore Consignment Store Salvation Army Thrift Store Seconds Please! Thrift Shoppe Second Suit For Men and Women Sellution Vintage Furniture
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to enjoy the process and the wonderful people she meets each day. "People
from every walk of life come in here, it is never boring." She
takes the time to talk with everyone, especially as a battery-operated
croaking frog at the door announces his or her arrival. Most people
enter the store smiling.
