There are over 50 thrift stores and charity shops in Calgary, making it one of the best cities in Canada for affordable second-hand clothing and household items. These establishments are especially useful for Ukrainian immigrants, as they offer quality items at nominal prices.
Major thrift store chains
Value Village — the largest chain
Value Village is the most popular chain with seven locations throughout Calgary. The stores have convenient hours: Monday–Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Saturdays until 8:00 p.m., and Sundays from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Key locations include the central store at 120 8 Ave SW, the northeast store at 3405 34 St NE, and the northwest store at 5720 Silver Springs Blvd NW.
Features for Ukrainian families:
- Huge selection of clothing for the whole family
- Household goods, electronics, books
- Regular sales and discounts
- Donations go to support Diabetes Canada, the Kidney Foundation, and other organizations
Goodwill Industries of Alberta
Goodwill has 6+ locations in Calgary with hours of operation from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (Monday–Saturday) and 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Sunday). The main stores are located at 9655 Macleod Trail SW, 3825 Bow Trail SW, and a unique Outlet Store at 2731 57 Ave SE.
Advantages:
- Online store with pickup option
- Special programs for people with disabilities
- Organized departments and clean premises
Local charities
WINS (Women In Need Society)
WINS is a Calgary-based organization with seven stores that specifically supports women and families in need. Stores are open Monday–Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and Sunday from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
WINS locations:
- Beltline: 1005 11 Ave SW
- Dover: 3525 26 Ave SE
- Bowness: 6432 Bowness Rd NW
- Richmond: 2907 Richmond Rd SW
- Macleod Plaza: 180 94 Ave SE
Why it's a good fit for Ukrainian families:
- Special programs for immigrant women
- Affordable furniture and household items
- Support through Family Resource Centers
MEOW Charity Thrift Shop
MEOW Foundation has two stores with the lowest prices in town.
- North store (336 41 Ave NE Unit 110) is open Tuesday–Saturday 10:00–17:00, Sunday 10:00–16:00
- South (3711 61 Ave SE) is open Monday–Saturday 10:30–17:30
Features:
- 100% of profits go to saving cats
- Weekly 50% discounts on selected categories
- Unique home decor items and electronics
Special options for Ukrainian refugees
Good Neighbour Community Market
A unique pay-what-you-can store located at 214 62 Ave SE. Here you can get items for free if you don't have the means to pay. The store was created specifically to support vulnerable populations during the pandemic.
Support for the Ukrainian community:
- Kristen's Consignment held special events for 130–140 Ukrainian women, where they could choose 5 items of clothing for free
- Kalyna Store (7400 Macleod Trail #8) serves as a volunteer center for the Ukrainian community
- Local Ukrainian churches organize collection centers for newcomers
Category stores with unique prices
Thriftopia
A store at 206 62 Ave SE with an innovative pricing system:
- Jackets and shoes: $8
- Adult clothing: $4
- Children's clothing: $2
Open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Consignment and luxury options
High-end consignment stores
-
VSP/Vespucci Consignment (8244 Elbow Drive SW) — authentic luxury brands
-
Wilder's Consignment House — specializes in Hermès, Chanel, Louis Vuitton
-
Peacock Boutique — 3 locations with a curated selection
-
Urban Thrift (906 Centre St N) — brand name and vintage clothing
Helpful tips for Ukrainian families
-
Best time to shop — midweek, when there are fewer shoppers and more new items arrive
-
Most affordable options:
-
Good Neighbour — pay what you can
Ukrainian Mechanic -
MEOW stores — lowest prices
-
Thriftopia — fixed category prices
-
Special discounts:
-
MEOW: 15% discount for seniors every Wednesday
-
WINS: discounts on the first Wednesday of the month
-
MCC Thrift Shop: the best prices among all second-hand stores
Donating items: Almost all stores accept donations, which allows Ukrainian families to receive discount coupons for future purchases.
Calgary truly has a thriving ecosystem of thrift stores and charity shops, making affordable shopping a reality for Ukrainian immigrants. With a variety of options ranging from basic charity shops to specialty consignment boutiques, every family can find what they need within their budget.