A NEW thrift shop recently opened its doors at Blue Roof Life Spaces, offering community members a place to find pre-loved goods at affordable prices while supporting local youth-based programmes. The Youth Empowerment and Support Services (Yess) officially launched the thrift shop on June 4. 

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It operates as a pop-up store from Monday to Thursday, generally between 09:00 until 15:00, located just outside the Blue Roof café. The shop is meant to give the non-profit organisation a steady source of income, reducing their reliance solely on donations, while also encouraging the benefits of thrifting.

Thrifting with a purpose

Linda James, one of YESS’s co-founders, said that as a non-profit organisation they are always looking for viable ways to generate income and reduce the need to ask for donations.

“The introduction of the thrift shop also introduces thrifting culture. It helps those who have items to dispose by giving to a good cause, reduces waste and gives people an opportunity to buy used goods in good condition at a very reasonable price,” she said. 

At the shop, visitors could browse a wide selection. There was clothing for men, women, and children, along with shoes, toys, books and various household items. James believed the initiative would attract many people, particularly students and families who needed to make their budgets stretch. As an enthusiastic thrifter herself, she had witnessed similar ventures succeed locally and internationally. She saw no reason why this same opportunity could not thrive right there in their own community.

“We invite patrons to visit our cafe for coffee and a meal and to explore our thrift shop while they are here. Our friendly volunteers are on hand to assist,” she said. 

Donate to the thrift shop

The Yess is also appealing to the community to please consider their thrift store if they would like to get rid of any pre-loved items. 

“By supporting our thrift shop you are supporting the Yess programmes that we run at the Blue Roof, especially our homework club and education programmes,” said James.

Those who would like to donate to the thrift shop can drop the items off at the reception of the Blue Roof Life Spaces.  

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