Thrifting.
This photo essay dives into the fun and quirky world of Rummage, a community thrift store in Kitsilano, Vancouver.
Through these images, I intended to capture the essence of the local thrifting culture in Vancouver, which is ever-evolving and expanding.
Through candid in-store moments of staff led by owner Zoe Pearce and portraits of local thrifter Shawna Dexter, I explore the growing popularity of second-hand shopping.
Rummage is both a retail space and a cornerstone of its community. It offers pop-ups for local artists, crafty events, and creative collaborations. These initiatives transform the shop into a community hub that attracts locals to contribute and connect and is fueled by the neighbourhood it serves.
Founder Pearce, an architect turned community entrepreneur, channelled her passion for urban planning into creating an inclusive, sustainable space where everyone—whether a vintage sweater or a customer—can find belonging.
Rummage is a testament to the resilience of small businesses in challenging economic landscapes like Kitsilano. By capturing the stories behind the shop and the people helping thrift thrive, this essay offers an intimate look into how one small shop can have a big impact.
This essay is about more than one store. It reflects the significance of more eco-conscious consumers who have abandoned high-street shopping and opposed fast fashion in today’s economic and environmental climate.
Rummage Community Thrift Store on Arbutus Street is a firm favourite among Kitsilano locals looking for unique, second-hand items at affordable prices. Thrifty Canadians are value seekers, with almost half (48%) choosing to shop for used items in search of a bargain, according to PayPal's Resale Rennaisance Report.
Thrifting is booming in Vancouver, with studies showing a significant shift toward second-hand shopping. As the cost of living continues to soar, consumers are embracing sustainability and affordability and becoming more conscious of the impact of their shopping habits.
The thrill of finding one-of-a-kind items and the reduction of waste are key drivers of Vancouver’s growing thrift culture. Reports like Value Village's Thrift Industry Report highlight how second-hand shopping supports sustainability while reshaping modern fashion trends.
Vancouverites’ love for vintage clothing continues to evolve, with more shoppers seeking timeless, unique pieces over fast fashion or high-street trends. As the appeal for quality and one-off items grows, thrift stores have become go-to destinations for those redefining modern style.
Rummage employee Amelia Wallace sifts through donations and ensures they are clean and in good condition before placing them on the shop floor for sale at accessible prices. Rummage relies on donations to keep the business going, and there is no shortage from the local community. They recently held their monthly event where people can pay just $5 to fill an entire bag with select items to help unload themselves of excess stock.
Owner Zoe Pearce, pictured with her Dad, John Pearce, founded Rummage thrift store in memory of Angela (Hook) Bailey. Bailey was a secondhand advocate and creator of the original Rummage brand. She inspired countless people with her upcycling and community-building spirit. Like a second mother to Pearce, she inspired her to create a safe, creative, and inclusive space in the community.
Pearce gets the store Christmas-ready, treating the shop like a home and the community as a family, she ensures the Christmas tree is just right. The store offers a range of pre-loved clothes and items for many occasions. Recently having a Haloween themed display, the store now transitions into Christmas mode, selling ornaments, decorations and ugly Christmas sweaters.
The staff creates fun, interactive games and competitions to engage customers. Pictured here from left to right, Taylor Keba, Carolyn Stever, Zoe Pearce, and Amelia Wallace are devising a 12-day Christmas-themed competition where customers can win quirky Christmas prizes.
The shop is filled with whimsy, from umbrellas dancing on the ceiling to eccentric artwork on the walls. Rummage’s vintage vibe invites customers to spend an hour or more sifting through its treasures.
Shawna Dexter, pictured here, is excited to find a pawprint jacket, which fits her job as a dogwalker perfectly. Dexter has exclusively thrifted for clothes for the last five years. She is motivated by her commitment to an environmentally friendly wardrobe that's also easy on her wallet. She said she was becoming more aware of the implications of societal overconsumption and decided to implement more mindful shopping practices into her life.
Plastered with old newspaper clippings, the snug changing room has just enough room to slip into a new outfit. The neon message to 'just be yourself' resonates with many thrifters, as more than 40% of Canadians reported that finding unique items motivated their consumer habits.
Dexter said she couldn't imagine returning to retail shopping in today's economy. For her, thrifting is a necessity. She said people deserve equal access to good-quality clothing regardless of their bank accounts.
Dexter said it's unrealistic to expect people to stop shopping for fun in a society that encourages consumption to such a high degree. Thrifting is a way to still enjoy shopping without guilt about the consequences. Pictured here is the thrilling moment Dexter discovered the dress had pockets.
Dexter said she loves to thrift as a pastime with friends. It's a bonding experience when you spend time 'Rummaging' through the unknown, trying to find that unique hidden gem. It's also an excuse to try on weird and wonderful items you never usually would, just for fun, like a wedding dress.
Dexter is in awe of the softness of this pre-loved sweater, which shows that quality items can still be found second-hand. She encourages others to keep an open mind when thrifting and remember that everything can be washed.
Rummage employee Riya Kumar attaches price tags to the donations she finds suitable for sale on the shop floor. Staff get first pick of clothes when they sort them, so a perk of the job is having an ever-growing second-hand wardrobe. Value Village's report showed 88% of consumers had donated clothing in the last 12 months, whether to declutter, get rid of clothes that no longer fit, or make room for new pre-loved items.
It's not just clothes for sale at Rummage. Thrifters can find any number of items: books, ornaments, homeware and artwork. PayPal's report showed that clothes (38%), books (21%) and furniture (20%) top Canadians’ thrift shopping purchases.
Wallace prepares to close at the end of a busy shift, turning the illuminating neon 'open' sign in the storefront off for the night. After moving to this location only two years ago, the store will move to a bigger location in the new year, remaining in Kitsilano.
Wallace counts the money in the till, wrapping up another day of community connection and sustainable shopping.
Traffic whizzes past the busy street outside of Rummage. Kitsilano has become a happy home for this thrift store, and there is no doubt that with thrifting continuing to rise, the new location will be just as successful as this one.
Studio 58
Studio 58 students transform themselves with their makeup skills for new play ‘Baggage.’
Imagine having to live with all your exes. That’s the story behind Baggage, Studio 58’s October production. It follows the heroine, Jill, as she navigates a new relationship with Ben while still carrying emotional baggage from her past relationships. The cast, primarily women dressed as men, portrays her exes as living reminders that inhabit her apartment. Student Carol Chu said females and non-binary actors in masculine roles were an integral part of the play’s humour.
Studio 58, based at Langara College, offers an intensive program incorporating acting and producing. Theatre student Lucy Jeffery was attracted to this program from a young age after watching their first show. “I still have the ticket stub,” said Jeffery, who felt that seeing that production changed their life.
The plays are collaborative, and students will experiment different roles. Students work alongside designers when developing their characters, but most students enjoy figuring out hair and make-up aspects themselves.
Baggage is a culmination of Langara’s theatre students’ hard work and passion both on stage and behind the scenes.
