Story of the SSVP Brant Thrift Store
From 197 Colborne Street to 143 Wellington Street – A Three-Year Journey

It began with a recognition that a good thing had simply outgrown itself. Since October 2015, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, Brant (SSVP Brant) had been quietly searching for a new home for its Thrift Store. The old building at 197 Colborne Street in Brantford had served the community faithfully, but with growing demand from neighbours in need, the space could no longer keep up. The decision was made to sell and start fresh — though no one could have predicted just how long or winding the road ahead would be.

In July 2015, SSVP Brant listed the Colborne Street building for sale. It sold in September 2015, with the transaction set to close on April 3, 2017. In June 2016, the Society signed an agreement to purchase 143 Wellington Street — the former Crosby Cable YMCA building — with that deal set to close in September 2018. On paper, this left a gap of 17 months between the two transactions, raising the prospect of a disruptive temporary move.

“Given that our goal is to provide uninterrupted service to our neighbours in need throughout this transition, a solution to this gap issue became our priority,” the Society noted. Fortunately, the buyer of the Colborne Street property agreed to allow SSVP Brant to remain at the location until the Wellington Street move was finalized — sparing the organization the expense and disruption of a double move. The commitment to serve without interruption remained intact.

Meanwhile, fundraising efforts got underway. With financing secured through the Diocese of Hamilton and a number of generous donations already in hand, the Society’s fundraising committee worked to raise approximately $400,000 more to complete the project.

The Right Move at the Right Time
By the summer of 2018, anticipation was building. With the YMCA of Hamilton Burlington Brantford preparing to move into its new Laurier Brantford YMCA facility in downtown Brantford, the doors of the Crosby Cable building at 143 Wellington Street were about to become SSVP Brant’s.

To mark the occasion and clear the decks for moving day, the Society launched a 50% off sale on all first-floor merchandise at the Colborne Street store. But as Pat Lenz, President of SSVP Brant, made clear, this was no ordinary sale.

“We assembled an enthusiastic group of engineering, architectural, HR, fundraising, banking, marketing, and construction professionals who have worked collaboratively with our Society volunteers to make our dream a reality,” said Lenz.

Renovations at the Crosby Y building were actually underway while the Y was still operating from the site — a logistical challenge that the SSVP Brant team navigated with characteristic resolve. The goal was a soft opening in early October 2018, with details to follow on the Society’s website and Facebook page.

The move made sense on every level. The new location offered more space, better parking and donation drop-off facilities, a newer building, and an equally convenient location in the downtown core — all in service of one overarching goal: enhanced service for neighbours in need.

Finally — Opening Day
On Saturday, October 13, 2018, the dream became a reality. The new Saint Vincent de Paul Thrift Store at 143 Wellington Street (at Clarence) opened its doors to the public with a community celebration. Free face painting, free hot dogs, and a free draw every hour for a $25 Thrift Store gift certificate welcomed shoppers old and new. Parking — over 70 spaces — was free.

“This move has been at least three years in the making since we decided to sell our store on Colborne Street and purchase the former Crosby Cable YMCA building at 143 Wellington Street,” said Pat Lenz. “Visit us at our new facility. We look forward to seeing all of our former customers and many new Thrift Store shoppers. You will not be disappointed.”

The new store was a dramatic upgrade in nearly every way. The entire facility is on one floor, making it fully accessible. It boasts twice the retail space, twice the loading space, and twice the sorting area compared to the old Colborne Street location. A large boardroom and reception area, a volunteer staff lunchroom, a private consultation room for neighbours in need, and a drive-up door for donation drop-offs rounded out the amenities.

Inside, the retail space was organized into distinct areas: clothing for women, men, and children in one large section, furniture in another, and household items in a third. Wide aisles, new shopping carts, and larger private change rooms made for a genuinely pleasant shopping experience.

A Blessing to Mark the Beginning
The story reached a meaningful milestone on Saturday, May 11, 2019, when His Excellency Bishop Douglas Crosby O.M.I. of the Diocese of Hamilton arrived to formally bless the new Thrift Store.

“This impressive new Thrift Store is a testament to the ongoing work of local Vincentian volunteers whose mission is to live the message of the gospel to serve Christ in the poor with love, respect, justice and joy,” Bishop Crosby declared.

“It was a privilege to have Bishop Crosby here to give his blessing of our new Thrift Store in Brantford,” said Pat Lenz.

The day was a celebration in the fullest sense. Volunteers led tours for the Bishop, dignitaries, and honoured guests, while an inspiring Wall of Recognition was unveiled, acknowledging the donors who made the capital campaign possible. Among those recognized were the City of Brantford, the Diocese of Hamilton, Empire Homes, SC Johnson & Son, the Hankinson Foundation, Don & Joanne Wilkin, Steve & Helen Kun, and Ron and Joan Underwood & Family. The Catholic Women’s League of St. Pius Church hosted a private reception before the store opened to the public for shopping from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m.

Volunteers at the Heart of It All
What makes the SSVP Brant Thrift Store truly distinctive is that every person who works there — including supervisory staff — is a volunteer. Though the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul is a lay Catholic organization, store volunteers come from all backgrounds and need not be affiliated with any religious organization. The store’s mission is straightforwardly human: to help neighbours in need, with love, respect, and dignity.

After three years of planning, fundraising, negotiating, renovating, and relocating, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul, Brant has a home worthy of that mission. The new Thrift Store at 143 Wellington Street stands not just as a retail space, but as a community landmark — built through patience, generosity, and an unwavering commitment to those who need it most.