North End thrift store closing due to theft, rising costs
D’arcy’s ARC Thrift Store has been a Main Street mainstay for the past 16 years, but the writing is on the wall – the second-hand store is shutting its doors in December.
The shop, located in a strip mall between Alfred and Aberdeen Avenues, sells everything from clothing and housewares to pet supplies and board games.
- The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
- Sign up now for daily CTV News Winnipeg newsletters
Proceeds from the thrift store help cover animal-related costs and other expenses at D’arcy’s Animal Rescue Centre (ARC), a non-profit animal shelter on Century Street.
A sign posted in the store’s window attributes the closure to “rising costs, increased retail theft, and concerns for staff and customers.”
“It’s not uncommon now to have knives and syringes pulled on [staff] on a weekly basis,” owner D’arcy Johnston told CTV News. “There’s been an assault there and it’s getting to the point where, you know, it’s over $2 shirts. I just don’t know what else I can do to make things better there.”
Johnston said he opted to not renew the lease due to a myriad of issues and the last day of operation is slated for December 21.
Johnston opened the thrift store in 2008 following the success of yard sales held at the shelter. He said the fundraisers were quite successful.
“I thought to myself, ‘How could we do this on a permanent basis?’’ Johnston recalled. “So we opened up.. and it took off like crazy.”
Items sold at the thrift store are donated by the public and priced to remain affordable. Johnston said the closure will leave a gap in the area for people looking for cheap, gently-used products.
“It’s tough to see, and I think it’s going to have a big impact on that community,” Johnston said. “I’ve been there for 30 years and I know the neighbourhood and I know a lot of people that shop at the store.”
Johnston said D’Arcy’s ARC doesn’t receive any government funding, so the thrift store’s shutdown could also impact the animal shelter’s bottom line.
“It’s a significant amount of money that comes back to the charity,” he explained. “I have to think of ways where I’m going find X amount of dollars to come back for the 2025 budget.”
Johnston noted the organization operates another second-hand store called Annie’s Attic Thrift Shop and Cat Café further down Main Street. He said there are no plans to shut down that location.
Anyone interested in donating clothing or other items can drop them off at Annie’s Attic (1560 Main Street).
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
LIVE Sinclair family shares heartfelt message ahead of memorial service
Murray Sinclair’s family members say the late justice and senator has been laid to rest according to his wishes.
Trump on Day 1: Begin deportation push, pardon Jan. 6 rioters and make his criminal cases vanish
Donald Trump has said he wouldn’t be a dictator — 'except for Day 1.' According to his own statements, he's got a lot to do on that first day in the White House.
Liberals to face third test in federal byelection in British Columbia next month
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced voters in Cloverdale—Langley City will pick their next member of Parliament on Dec. 16.
King Charles III and Kate attend remembrance events as both slowly return to duty
King Charles III led the nation Sunday in a two-minute silence in remembrance of fallen service personnel in central London as the Princess of Wales looked on, a further sign the royal family is slowly returning to normal at the end of a year in which two of the most popular royals were sidelined by cancer.
Cornwall, Ont. prepares for potential influx of asylum seekers following U.S. election
As the possibility of mass deportations looms following Donald Trump's re-election on Tuesday, border towns like the City of Cornwall are preparing for a potential influx of asylum seekers.
Sarnia, Ont. police make 'high-risk' arrests, charge 3 with kidnapping
On Friday, the Sarnia Police Service (SPS) received a report of an alleged abduction in the area of Kathleen Avenue and Walnut Avenue.
Canadian delegation 'overwhelmed' by visit to Great War battlefields
It's been a trip to cherish for a group of Canadians visiting Belgium this week to honour the legacy of Indigenous soldiers.
Donald Trump knows the Canada-U.S. relationship 'in a way he didn’t before': Ambassador
Canada's ambassador to the United States — and co-lead of the federal government's Team Canada war room — says U.S. president-elect Donald Trump has a different understanding of the bilateral relationship than he did during his first term in the White House.
Thinking of donating your brain to science? This is what they might do with it
Researchers say taking a peek inside a person's brain is as difficult as understanding the universe or discovering the ocean in its entirety.