Rows of donated coats and children’s shoes now line the walls of 128 Penetang Street, where The Give Back Rack, a community-driven thrift shop, quietly signals a new phase in Barrie’s support for families in need.
Barrie Families Unite (BFU), known for connecting residents with essentials, has launched this pilot thrift shop as both a fundraising engine and a dignified resource for those struggling to make ends meet. The shop, situated in Barrie’s north end, aims to do more than simply recycle clothing—it offers choice, respect, and autonomy to referred clients and the broader public.
Founder Nikki Glahn recalls the exhausting cycles of their former model, where volunteers packed bags for families out of a warehouse sublet. The process, though well-intentioned, rarely honoured personal taste or allowed autonomy. Transitioning to a storefront, she says, “gives referred clients such an elevated choice of dignity, choice and self-selection, as well as the ability to access needs on their timeline instead of ours.” The inspiration stemmed from observing Alliston’s successful Clothesline shop, a model BFU adapted to suit Barrie’s unique needs.
The new space measures just under 200 square metres, a far cry from the 600 to 1,000 square metres they once dreamed of occupying. Space constraints mean not every agency can refer clients free of charge, with current partnerships focused on the Barrie Women’s and Children’s Shelter and Redwood Park Communities. Glahn acknowledges this “short term pain” but insists it’s a necessary step to ensure long-term sustainability. She believes that families facing food insecurity also lack other essentials, and the need for such a shop extends far beyond what current capacity permits.
The Give Back Rack is open Thursday evenings and weekends, and the community’s response has been steady. Glahn voices hope that with ongoing support, BFU could one day expand into a much larger location, accommodating the outpouring of donations and growing demand. For now, she remains proud of the volunteers and their refusal to compromise on dignity and grassroots connection—a small shop with aspirations as large as the needs it strives to meet.
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Community-driven thrift shop opens with focus on sustainability and support
