Well. It turns out that overpriced thrifting is something that many of us have noticed and are none too happy about. I’m not sure what we can do about it aside from not buying those pieces and being mindful of where we spend our thrift dollars. With that in mind, I decided to write a Yelp review about my experience to help inform others. When I was road-trip-thrifting on my vacation, the first place I turned to decide where to shop eat, watch fireworks, park, everything was Yelp. It was so beneficial to quickly look up the closest thrift stores and read any reviews. Yet, I never take the time to write thrift store reviews for any travelers coming here… until today! This week, I’m hauling my kids dedicating some time shopping at the smaller thrift stores in Edmonton and posting a review on Yelp! It is a great excuse to go thrifting public service. My first stop was the Peacock Boutique Thrift Shop.
I have been wanting to hit this thrift store ever since reading the review by fellow Edmonton thrifter, Life Preloved. It is located downtown, a couple blocks south of the Mercer Building which is the opposite of convenient for me. I live south of the city so coming downtown takes close to an hour by the time I navigate construction and find parking. I looked up the hours on their website, called before I left to confirm they were open, and headed there for some good thrifting!
This thrift store is actually…
I had no idea what that meant until today. I asked the staff behind the till if they were volunteers or employees and was provided with a wonderful brief history of this amazing store! It employs 5 people who do all the everything for the shop! They started it way back when the tornado hit Edmonton in 1987 and they gathered household items for people to start rebuilding their lives. The lady I spoke to was wearing her infant son during the tornado and today he works for the Shop and helps with all the tech. The Shop was called on after the Slave Lake fires to coordinate ALL donations from across Canada. 5 people. These humble employees handled the two largest natural disasters in Alberta. I was gulping back tears as she shared the story of this thrift shop. She explained that they have some odd hours because their number one priority is supporting people during emergencies. If there is a fire, they shut down and make sure families get what they need. They match what they offer with what the families are able to afford. (Got $500? Here’s a house’s worth of stuff that just happens to be $500.)
Now there’s flexibility. She explained that they want people with limited means to still be able to go into a nice shop and afford something – that’s why they put so much effort into the displays. “Someone with only $5 to their name can come in here and find something nice.” What a lovely way to show love and grace to others, to uphold people’s dignity in their time of need. You can find all the info on the Edmonton Emergency Relief Services website. You can donate on site or call and arrange pick up. They also had a lot of new items, overstock from large store chains. I, of course, tried on a few things…
My thrifting partner scored a pretty vase…
There was so much to be had…
All in all, like with other thrift stores, some items seemed priced high albeit only a little high, but with the sale, the pieces I bought were more than reasonable especially considering the worthy cause.
I would definitely make the Peacock Boutique Thrift Shop a regular thrift shop stop if you are lucky enough to live or work nearby! I posted my Yelp review and am hoping that striped dress is dry by morning so I can wear it!
16 Comments
LOVE this place! partly because of the good thrift scores (i keep finding great shoes there – $3 NAOTs??what the hell!), but mostly i keep going back because of the wonderful people who run this place!
it has evolved and changed a little over the years, but only for the better!
i am flabergasted at how nicely everything is displayed….so neat and tidy, and i used to love the tablescapes….great bunch of people work and volunteer there
and it is on my saturday rotation during outdoor farmers market season! Edmonton Emergency Relief Society
Thanks for shopping in my ‘hood’. Next time you are downtown , you might consider looking at Trendz on 100 Ave between 106 and 107. They sell new clothes from various outlets and right now everything is 50% off the already discounted price. I visit regularly and recently got a Bali top for $13. Currently there is a huge selection of scarves priced at two for $25.
I should add that Trendz is not a thrift store — they have many beautiful high end pieces — but they do have bargains galore.
Thanks for the review. I happen to love the giraffe chicken and would have picked it up! 🙂
Let’s go Sarah!
okay!!!
You found my place! My size, black Talbot class dress for….$3.60. A Happy Day!
*classic
Thanks for the tip! I will check it out on my next opportunity!
Well I already have 5 giraffe chickens 😉 haha. It was kinda cool but I have to say no to some thing!
That is great! The more I am seeing, the more I appreciate the unique displays and care and attention into their merchandising. I wish I lived closer. 🙁
YES! I remember your gorgeous pink blouse from Peacock and have been dying to go! I tried once before but was disappointed to find it closed, though now I understand why! Great place, can’t wait to go back!
5?!?! Wow! 🙂
Just catching up on my reading now! Glad you finally made it and also loved it! Thank you for the shout out!
I have visited the wonderful people at the Peacock Boutique and I hope to go back in the next couple weeks. I live many hours away and dream of going there! I come from a family of thrifters who have not had the pleasure of shopping there or meeting Cindy and her fantastic team at the store. I can’t wait to take my family there soon!
It is a wonderful thrift store with wonderful people but do call before you go – I heard rumours before moving away from Edmonton that they may be closing or losing their space. I don’t know where that’s at these days. Let me know if you find out!