Three sisters open up thrift store in Eastern Passage, N.S., give back to community

A new thrift store has popped-up in Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia – run by three sisters.

A new thrift store has popped up in Eastern Passage, N.S.

Pop-Up Thrift Co. is run by three sisters who wanted to bring something new to the area.

“If you were to ask me this one year ago, I wouldn’t say we’d be here,” said co-owner Rachel Romkey.

She owns the store with her two sisters Jami Sutton and Nicole Fellows. The owners say the business was built on the belief that everyone deserves access to affordable items.

“We try to keep everything down as low and as fair as possible,” said Romkey. “I’m a single mother of two kids, so I get how hard it is, and with the price of everything nowadays, there’s nothing wrong with a little bit of help.”

While thrifting is often associated with looking for a new wardrobe, Romkey said there are lots of other treasures to be found for the whole home.

“One of our top sellers is household goods. We can’t keep them in. I didn’t think they’d be that thing, I thought clothes would be the biggest thing, but no, it’s actually household items,” she said.

She also noted running shoes are also a huge seller, as are books and VHS tapes for families searching for a bit of nostalgia.

Family ties

The store officially opened at the beginning of June, but just one year ago it was, as the name says, a pop-up.

“We started off with one garbage bag, to a closed-in trailer, to this in one year,” said Romkey.

The family ties go beyond the three sisters; their children are also involved.

“I’m really happy for my mom and my aunts and everyone else that helped, especially Shawn, my uncle,” said Romkey’s daughter Kaylee Diamond.

Romkey’s daughters organize donations and put clothes out on the floor.

“We try to help as much as possible and try to go upstairs and sort stuff and bring them down,” said Romkey’s daughter Kaci Tucker.

Giving back

A portion of proceeds goes back into the community.

For the past few months, Pop-Up Thrift Co. has been donating to the Eastern Passage Community Fridge. Romkey hopes to expand to other organizations across Halifax Regional Municipality as the business grows.

“We’re hoping to try to give back as much as possible,” she said.

Since opening, donations for the store have been pouring in.

“Everyday, and sometimes there were people coming in and they’re bringing five, six, seven bags,” said Romkey.

She’s grateful for all of the support already and for being able to give items a second life instead of ending up in the landfill.

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