A new thrift store, recently opened in Surrey, sells everything from Indian and western wear to religious items and small furniture at low prices.
We always tend to have some items that we never use – be it a beautiful yet heavy dress that you wore just once, a pair of heels that are just too tight for your feet, artwork that doesn’t suit your wall colour, a gadget which has been replaced by a newer, updated one, or some old furniture lying in your attic. Recycling or donating to charity are a few ways one can get rid of these belongings, as a lot of thrift stores or organizations accept them to re-sell or offer to the underprivileged. Yet, we South Asians face another dilemma – how and where do we recycle our Indian or ethnic wear? Here’s where Seva Thrift (in partnership with East West Thrift store) comes in.
The idea of giving people an opportunity to enjoy some gently-used items for the second time gave birth to Seva Thrift – a first-of-its-kind store for charity started by Jas Gill, a retired social worker; Raj Arneja of Nanak Foods; and Kiran Malli, director of Provincial Language Service - Provincial Language Health Services Authority. What’s different about this recently-opened store is that they accept and re-sell Indian and western clothing and accessories, household and religious items, and are a not-for profit organization. “There isn’t an Indian section like this in any thrift store,” declares Arneja.
“We had some beautiful Indian clothing that we maybe wore once and was in pretty good shape, and had cultural and religious items in our home we didn’t know what to do with. We decided that there should be some place where we can displace them nicely and have somebody else enjoy them as well,” says Gill, sharing the store’s vision.
The founders then started asking their family, friends and the community for help and donations. Within a month, they had enough items to open a store. “For donations, our community is wonderful, they are very giving. Half of our stuff is brand new, our community gives and they give well,” says Gill, adding that thrifting has been a part of the community since a long time. “When we were new immigrants, our relatives helped us with house wear, blankets to start us off. Thrifting is nothing new for our community; they have always been doing it. We just bought it into focus in a store setting.”
It was, in fact, their experience helping out at a thrift store in Abbotsford that urged them to take on this project. Some time back, Gill, along with Arneja and Malli, had set up a Seva Thrift room in an existing non-profit called Second Chance Thrift store in Abbotsford. “They gave us a room and asked us to help with the Indian wear that came in. They did not know how to price it, hang it, or sort items like the three-piece salwars together,” explains Gill.
She further narrates that they asked family and friends to donate items, which were then tagged and showcased at the store. They had a huge response; the team noticed that people had interest and were buying the items on sale. This got them to start a thrift store in Surrey for charity. “They mentored us to start something in Surrey and to fundraise as well,” adds Gill, revealing that East West stands for the fact that the store is for the general community and not just East Indians.
For those who wish to donate but do not want to part with their expensive designer wear, Seva Thrift also does consignments. “We understand people are not going to give their $5,000 lehengas to charity. So what we want to do is provide some space for consignment as well where people can consign their expensive designer wear and make a bit of money as well.”
Arneja adds, “We will keep 60 per cent of whatever it sells at and 40 per cent goes to the donor. Our half goes to charity and their half goes to them so they feel good about giving their item away.” Proceeds collected at Seva Thrift will go to the Surrey Hospital and Outpatient Care Foundation this year, which will support worthwhile medical equipment and services.
To carry forward this good deed, the founders need a lot of donations and volunteers. Volunteers, willing to work four hours a week, are needed to help organize and sell the items. “Volunteers are at the core of what we do. Without volunteers we are not able to provide this valuable service to the community,” asserts Arneja.
Donations can be dropped off at the store from Tuesday to Saturday between 10 am to 5 pm. The thrift shop can also be contacted to pick up items. East West accepts stitched and unstitched Indian clothing, jewellery, accessories, footwear, western clothing, home decor, houseware, gardening tools, small appliances and furniture, toys, and sports equipment. They do not accept cribs, strollers, car seats, mattresses or large furniture items.
East West Thrift store is situated at 9430 120th Street in Surrey, and is open Monday to Saturday between 10 am to 5:30 pm. For volunteer opportunities, call 604-765-2000; for donations and other information, call 778-293-0015. Go ahead and do your bit for the community.
