Whether it was Macklemore’s famous song or the fact that people are being more conscience about spending money, the Mission Thrift Store Barrie is a busy place.
Located at 504 Big Bay Point Rd., the MTSB has been serving Barrie since 2007 with high-end quality items at low prices. Store Manager David Potter just started working at the store and is one of three staff, with the rest being volunteers. Potter says the hardest part about working at the MTSB is trying leave without buying something.
“I couldn’t believe how many really cool items were in here,” said Potter. “Everyday something new comes in and every day the store is filled with people looking for that special purchase to either complete a collection or replace something they’ve broken or lost; I actually call shopping here 'Treasure Hunting' because it's exactly what you’re doing, sorting the vast amount of treasure that comes through the doors.”
Most know the routine in that when you are getting rid of things because of a move or other reasons, you drive around to the back of a thrift shop and drop off to one of the helpers manning the back doors. From there the MTSB is a very efficient system that runs well because of three paid staff and approximately 150 volunteers. Beyond the doors is the sorting section where everything is inspected to make sure it matches the stores quality standard and then is piled with the items that match what section of the store it should go to. From there is cleaned and checked over again as Potter says that the MTSB really is particular about what they sell.
“We are thankfully known for selling some high-quality merchandise and have long been dedicated to that,” said Potter. “An example would be if some clothes or furniture comes in and has a bit pet smell to it, we won’t accept it. It’s a great part of our day to hear from folks that they really like the stuff that we have and trust us enough to keep coming back.”
The popular areas are the kitchen items, furniture, pictures and frames but there is a wide array of sporting goods, books and movies in the 15,000 square foot building too. Not just great deals on rare items, the MTSB is helping people worldwide through funding programs. While you may go in for a lamp or table at a good price, Potter says that what you’re actually doing is helping lend a hand to someone who needs it.
“After any overhead, the net proceeds go to the Bible League of Canada which has literacy programs throughout the world and domestically that help people to read and write,” said Potter. “There is also biblical work where we raise leaders for the church and start churches; as a matter of fact at the end of November the Bible League had started 6,630 churches around the world. That’s an amazing thing that we get to say we are a part of and all the volunteers and workers here really do feel a sense of pride and accomplishment because of it.”
This sense of pride is something that suits Potter just perfectly. The long-time retail worker has held many jobs in the field but says that when he saw that the MTSB was hiring, it made so much sense to him as a man of Christian faith to apply.
“I’m a part-time Pastor at the Ferris Lane Community Church here in Barrie and have always maintained a full-time job,” said Potter. “Before working here I was with a distributor and basically my whole career has been working in or supporting retail; as far back as starting with Radio Shack. Retail is essentially in my blood because of the long history, but when this opportunity came up it was really a blessing. I find this is a perfect mix of my retail background and my faith to come and work for a company who does a great job business-wise but also supports something that I really believe in; it really was meant to be.”
Potter points out that while he loves the job and the people he works with, without the volunteers the MTSB is unable to function. Glenda Berube is one of the volunteers and says that a very popular part of the store is the silent auction set up at the front and at the cash register. People line up at the end of the month to make sure they have the winning bid on their must-have items and Berube says it is a busy but fruitful day.
“The last Friday of every month is called the Silent Auction Day and it closes at 2pm,” he said. “Everything is cleaned out, packed up and everyone is called who had the best bid and asked to pick up their items; they have one week to do so or we then call the next person. The next day is set-up to start all over again and we follow that process every month; it is one of the most popular things here at the store and we thankfully raise a lot of money that way.”
For more information or to find out how you can volunteer, check out their website.
