Community, Creativity, and Conscious Living: Quadra Island Thrift Opened Its Doors May 17, 2025

By Jenny Holly Hansen | Langley News | July 4, 2026

In the heart of one of British Columbia’s most resourceful and tight-knit communities, something special is unfolding. On Saturday, May 17th, 2025 Quadra Island Thrift officially opened its doors — not just as a place to shop, but as a vibrant community space where sustainability, creativity, and local connection meet.

Founded by a pair of passionate thrift enthusiasts, Quadra Island Thrift is more than just a secondhand store. It's the result of a shared love for thrift shopping, a deep concern for textile waste, and a desire to bring something fun, functional, and community-focused to the Island. As co-founder Hannah explains, “We both love thrift stores and thrift shopping, and there isn't currently a thrift store on the Island! We think it will be a fun thing to do and a great way to give back to the community.”

A Mission Rooted in Community and Sustainability

At its core, the mission of Quadra Island Thrift is to create “a friendly, well-considered community space for locals to donate their gently used belongings, shop affordably and conveniently, and raise funds for local initiatives, all while minimizing our environmental footprint.”

It’s a vision that stems from real-world experience. Since 2019, Hannah was running Honeysuckle Gathering, a bespoke clothing company that uses only recycled materials. “That work really opened my eyes to how much waste we create as a society,” she says. “There is no legitimate and widely available recycling option for textile waste. By having a thrift store on the Island, it is our hope to greatly reduce our waste as a community and keep things—especially textiles—in rotation.”

Not Your Average Thrift Store

Quadra Island Thrift isn’t trying to mimic big-name thrift chains. Instead, it’s creating a space that’s welcoming, interactive, and distinctly local.

Imagine walking into a cozy shop where you can browse affordable clothing, vintage power tools, gardening supplies, and even plants. You’ll find crafting supplies, building hardware, and a seating area for those who just want to take it all in. There’s even a loom set up for community weaving projects, transforming fabric scraps into collaborative art.

And it’s not just about shopping. It’s about rethinking how we use what we already have. From hand-mended garments to upcycled home décor, the store’s approach to reuse is both practical and artistic.

A Place for Everyone

The team behind Quadra Island Thrift is focused on making sure there’s truly something for everyone. “We want the store to be an engaging and accessible community space,” Hannah says. “We’ll have a seating area for people who need to rest, engaging activities for children, and a wide range of goods that go beyond what thrift stores usually offer.”

The team encourages customers to think creatively, turning the process of thrifting into a treasure hunt for affordable, sustainable solutions.

Giving Back Starts on Day One

One of the most exciting aspects of Quadra Island Thrift is its commitment to reinvesting in the community. “All proceeds beyond what it takes to run the shop will go back into local initiatives,” says Hannah. “We’ll remain open to different donation opportunities, but the focus will be local.”

And for those who can’t make it to the store? They offer donation pickups, ensuring everyone can participate in this circular economy.

Whether you’re a longtime resident or a curious visitor, this is your chance to experience the beginning of something genuinely impactful.

Bring a friend, bring a bag, and bring your love for all things local. Quadra Island Thrift is ready to welcome you.

To learn more, visit https://quadraislandthrift.ca

TAGS:  #Jenny Holly Hansen #Protect Your Business #Community Impact #Langley Connect #Surrey Connect #North Van Connect #Connect Network #Quadra Island Thrift #Hannah Rohan #Shelby Mitchel

Let’s Keep Talking: Jenny Holly Hansen, Insurance Broker since 2006. Phone: 604-317-6755   Email: hello@jennyhollyhansen.ca Website: jennyhollyhansen.ca   LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/jenny-holly-hansen-365b691b/.