Charlotte Thrift Shop

The Charlotte Thrift shop began in 1968 as an adjunct to the local community library (located in the former one-room schoolhouse, and privately owned) to raise money to buy books. When the library relocated to the newly-built community hall in 1975, a local women's group; the Society for Continuing Self Development, took over the building and the challenge to keep the shop alive. When that society faded, community members kept on, and in 1982 the operation was incorporated as a non-profit society named the Charlotte Thrift Shop.

Its purpose is not to make money; it is to provide a community service by recycling used items. However, volunteers look forward to donating money to other local non-profit groups and charities whenever sales and fundraising exceeds expenses. Current chairperson Heather George feels that the wider community is also extremely connected, largely through the acceptance and celebration of diversity among residents. “The Haida culture in many ways defines who we are as islanders,” says Heather. “In the interaction of cultures, we are all richer.  The Thrift Shop has become part of our Islands culture, and we hope to continue to provide this community service for another 50 years.”