Windsor Thrift Shop Gives Back

 

by Mark Brown/Citizen Associate Managing Editor

A thrift shop on the edge of Windsor’s downtown core is providing not only bargains but also a place where everyone in the community feels welcome.

The Meetinghouse, located near the old Windsor Arena, was conceived not only as a place where Windsorites could gather but also as a fundraising enterprise, according to its owner, Ken Lori.

“I wanted to establish a non-profit to launch and establish a recreation centre for teenagers and I wanted it to be self-sustaining,” said Lori, 44. “So I thought a thrift store and a café would be a great model to generate revenue and also engage the community.”

Lori, who graduated from the University of Windsor with a degree in social work, had previously worked with youth in Portland, Oregon and wanted to continue that work in his hometown.

“Youth struggle with all kinds of issues,” Lori said. “Anything from identity to depression and suicidal thoughts, to gang-related issues. In all neighbourhoods, rich or poor, you need a recreation centre. Windsor doesn’t have a recreation centre that is centrally located for low-income youth, let alone high-income youth. So it’s extremely important to engage youth after school as well as before school.”

Lori acknowledges he still has a long way to go to making the centre a reality.

“It’s still in view but it’s not the immediate goal,” said Lori. “The immediate goal is to connect with the community as well as begin to generate revenue and also to notify the community that we exist so that they can drop off for donations.”

The shop provides the usual assortment of secondhand clothing for men, women and children as well as merchandise ranging from home furnishings to electronics. Lori says the store also provides many opportunities for people to meet socially.

“We host everything from political town hall meetings for candidates for city council to weekly music jams on Fridays,” said Lori. “We’ve also had concerts with eclectic bands, movie nights every Thursday and chess club on Wednesdays.”

The programs at the Meetinghouse are made possible through volunteers. Cheryl Durning became involved after answering a Kijiji ad.

“I was unemployed at the time and I was looking to volunteer. I liked his cause,” said Durning, a full-time electrical techniques student at St. Clair College.

Relaxing with other volunteers on a Friday at the Meetinghouse with jazz playing in the background, Durning says she was drawn to the homey atmosphere and has been willing to help with anything.

“I’m sort of a Jill-of-all-trades here, so I’ll do sales for them, I’ll fix something, I’ll paint something, I’ll hang clothes, I’ll do pickups of furniture,” said Durning.

Another volunteer, Patrick Sutherland, has been impressed with the way the shop has found its niche in the neighbourhood. Helping with the chess club, he recalls one time the game drew someone in.

“I was just sitting on the couch, the chess set was set up and some guy came in with a bag. It looked like he was homeless. He came in and kicked my butt in 10 minutes,” Sutherland said.

Sutherland said he is convinced that the Meetinghouse has accomplished one of its goals.
“This place is going to offer spiritual sanctuary for people and it has for me as well,” said Sutherland.

The Meetinghouse’s Facebook page provides a detailed description of the events and programs hosted there, including art and baking classes. The shop is located at 620 Glengarry Ave at Wyandotte Street East.