A new thrift store opening in Martensville this February is aiming to do more than offer affordable shopping; it’s creating meaningful employment opportunities for local youth.
The store will be located at 301 Centennial Dr. Unit #1A, and is planning to begin operating in early February. Second Chances Thrift Store is owned and operated by The Generation Love Project, a non-profit organization that provides supports and programming for youth, including job training and placement. Jessica Mills, owner and CEO of The Generation Love Project, said the organization’s largest focus is helping youth facing barriers to employment, including youth with disabilities.
“Our largest program is our job training and placement program,” Mills said. “We hire youth facing barriers to employment and youth with disabilities. Generally, they work with us for one year, working alongside a supervisor to help them overcome their challenges and set them up to succeed in the workplace.”
After completing the program, the organization assists youth with finding new employment; however, Mills noted it has become increasingly difficult for graduates to secure work, leading The Generation Love Project to extend placements when possible.
The opening of Second Chances Thrift Store will expand those opportunities. “The thrift store will be an excellent addition to our job training program, providing more jobs, as well as a job outside of food service, which all of our other locations are,” Mills said. “This will be a better fit for many of our youth and hopefully also be a good fundraising source for the organization.”
Mills said Martensville was a natural choice for the new location. While the organization serves youth from Warman, Martensville, and the surrounding area, Warman already has several thrift stores, while Martensville has none.
The name Second Chances reflects both the mission and the merchandise. “The items are going to new homes and in a way a lot of youth are getting a second chance.”
Community involvement will be key to the store’s success. “Community support is EVERYTHING,” Mills said. “We count on the community to bring in donations, to come in and shop, and some members of the community are volunteering at the thrift store.”
When shoppers visit for the first time, Mills said they can expect a welcoming experience. “They will see a small, but open and nicely laid out store,” she said. “They will appreciate our great prices as well.” The store will feature low standard prices, a dollar rack, affordable bundles, and a small boutique section with new and brand-name items priced higher but still affordably.
The store will focus primarily on clothing, with a small section offering a variety of other items.
Second Chances Thrift Store will also host a monthly draw. Every $20 spent earns one entry, and shoppers can purchase additional entries for $2. Draws will take place at the end of each month, featuring donated gift baskets, gift cards from local businesses, and higher-value items that come into the store. Each month’s draw prize will be promoted on social media and displayed in-store.
Because many staff members are students, volunteers will play a major role in day-to-day operations. Volunteers can apply by emailing thegenerationloveproject@gmail.com. Mills added that following and sharing the organization’s social media posts is another meaningful way to support the cause.
Donations will be accepted once the store opens, and the grand opening is tentatively scheduled for Monday, February 9th.
“We are really excited to meet everyone in the community and hope that they are excited to have us here,” Mills said.
Looking ahead, she hopes continued community support could allow the store to move into a larger space within the next year or two.
More information about The Generation Love Project can be found at www.thegenerationloveproject.com, with updates available on Facebook and Instagram through Second Chances Thrift Store.
