Thrift/Craft Alternative Art Supply is a well-known, eclectic store located in downtown Victoria’s Market Square that sells all kinds of crafty odds and ends as well as art supplies.
This business was started seven years ago by owner/operator Megan Sandover-Sly, as her passion was to connect artists with interesting art supplies.
She sources much of the art supplies herself, but also receives donations from community members who want their supplies “to be loved on” in a new home.
However, Sandover-Sly says recent construction in the square has significantly reduced business.
“It’s been brutal,” Sandover-Sly told Victoria Buzz.
“There is this construction in front of the store and visually, it makes it look like we’re not here anymore. As soon as the wall got built, business went down maybe 50%. Then, in the last month, since there’s been a bit more construction, business has been down 70% which is crazy.”
Construction impacts on Market Square
The construction began in April as a neighbouring business, Cafe Mexico, was renovating their patio, which was meant to be a quick and easy job.
While working on this renovation, rotted beams were discovered and the completion date was pushed back from June to August. It was around May when the temporary wall was erected in front of Thrift/Craft.
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Anthem Properties, who manages Market Square, say that they are trying to work with their tenants who have been impacted by the construction.
“We value the long-term relationships we have with our Market Square tenants and the work currently underway is to address needed repairs, required due to the age of the building,” said Elisha McCallum, Vice President, Communications for Anthem Properties.
“These repairs will help us ensure a safe and enjoyable space for both tenants and those who visit the centre and should be complete by end of summer. We have reached out to and will work with Thrift/Craft directly on how to address construction impacts to their business.”
Sandover-Sly says she hopes Anthem will be able to provide some kind of relief on her rent before it’s too late, as she is already feeling a struggle to make rent on her shop’s space.
In addition to her financial struggle, Sandover-Sly says that having the shop feel so erased from the square has made her feel increasingly unsafe.
“After the wall gets built, the visibility is a lot less and it feels a lot more unsafe,” she explained.
“I’ve had a few more incidents, because it’s a little slower with the wall, it gives people the perception that I’m alone in here and no one can see me. So definitely a couple more scary incidents.”
She added that normally at this time of year there are times when there are upwards of 30 people in the store at a time, but that just isn’t the case anymore.
How to help Thrift/Craft stay afloat
For those who create any kind of art or enjoy crafting, Thrift/Craft has it all.
They sell jewelery supplies, fine arts supplies, paints, collage kits, construction paper, vintage magazines, rubber stamps, weird trinkets as well as all kinds of odds and ends that could take a craft night to a new level.
“There’s something called an adult only collage pack, and that’s probably one of the most popular items,” Sandover-Sly explained.
“But I have all kinds of unique stuff—you could buy just a single playing card and a popsicle stick because you have an idea for a project and that way you don’t have to go to Dollarama and spend a bunch of money on a pack when you only need one.”
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As much of what she sells is donated to the shop, Sandover-Sly says that one of the best things to do to help her through these hard times is to donate art supplies that are in good condition and may be sought out by her customers.
Aside from that she really just hopes that people will be willing to come down, check out the shop and buy some supplies from her if they find something they can use.
Thrift/Craft is located on the lower level of Market Square, currently tucked behind the temporary wall on the southwest corner of the square.
Their hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Wednesday to Saturday and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays. The shop is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Help if you can! There is something for everyone at Thrift/Craft Alternative Art Supply.
