Upscale re-sale shop supports church outreach
Stylist and designer Debra Playfair is opening an upscale re-sale store in Creemore, with a portion of proceeds going to those in need.
In association with St. Luke’s Anglican Church, where Playfair is a parishioner, she hopes to funnel some of the funds from the store to the church’s outreach efforts, to make sure people have the essentials.
“It would come as a surprise to some that there are people around here who don’t have much, even in terms of food,” she said.
In partnership with church clergy Wendy Moore and Lorna May, the money will be used to help people who have expressed a need for assistance, be it paying utility bills, purchasing clothing or food, transportation and other specific needs.
May said a combination of factors – high rent, part time work and food insecurity – can result in a tight financial situation.
“People may find themselves making decisions about whether they are going to feed their kids or pay part of their hydro bill,” said May.
She said, without judgment, the church helps when it can, drawing on its discretionary fund for specific needs or help connect people to services if the need is perpetual. May said the church is able to help people through a community network that relies on word of mouth. The goal of the new store is to create a revenue stream for the church’s outreach efforts.
Playfair has purchased the commercial building at the corner of Mill and Francis Street East, where she is setting out an eclectic collection of treasures, that are donated and new, with some sold on consignment. She is collecting donations of high-end fashions and designer home décor. Proceeds from donated items will support charitable causes while other items will support the operation of the store, called All Good Things.
Playfair already has designer clothing, eveningwear, jewellery, shoes, linens and fabric and seasonal décor. There’s Prada shoes, an Escada dress, Louis Vuitton shoes and a Coach bag, to name a few of the designer fashions.
The retired interior designer said she has an eye for style and beautiful things and will enjoy staging the store.
“I want people to feel really good when they walk in,” said Playfair.
Volunteers from the church will be helping out and there are plans to do even more to support outreach efforts.
All Good Things is opening Nov. 1. Store hours are Thursday to Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday afternoons. Contact allgoodthings705@gmail.com or 519-278-4187.
Trina Berlo photo: All Good Things proprietor Debra Playfair (from right) with St. Luke’s Anglican Church clergy Lorna May and Wendy Moore.
