From time to time we all have used items such as furniture, appliances, clothing and etc that we need to get rid of. Instead of throwing it away consider giving it to a local charitable organization such as Urban Repurpose. They work with the community to find homes for used items to keep materials out of the landfill and also help moderate income families to have a good quality of life with household items that they can afford to purchase.
Urban Repurpose is not your typical thrift store, they have vintage and antique items and some really cool one of a kind pieces that you can’t get anywhere else. Given the storefront is located near the Lower Lonsdale and Moodyville areas where tons of successful eccentric people reside. If you want to find some truly worthwhile reused items consider checking them out. We had a chance to speak with Tom Riessner who is the owner and founder of the organization to get to know him better for the community.
How did you get started with Urban Repurpose and what do you like about operating in North Vancouver?
After working for other nonprofits for many years, I was interested in creating my own organization that would focus solely on waste diversion and reuse of items and materials. The result was Urban Repurpose. I love working on the North Shore because it’s my home. I grew up here and know the community well. It’s also a centre of redevelopment, which means lots of deconstruction materials to harvest.
What can locals in the community find for items at your thrift store?
A wide assortment of items you’d find in your standard thrift store, along with a selection of raw materials for crafting and upcycling. As well as a decent selection of vintage and antique furniture and shelving.
If our readers want to purchase products from you what is the best way for them to do so?
Visit our store often. We get new items daily. The really great things get posted to Instagram. We also give away a selection of overstock on Free Friday’s, if the weather permits. If it’s your first time visiting us come on down on the next sunny Friday to checkout what we are about.
Before operating Urban Repurpose what were you doing for work or a career?
I ran the ReStore program for Habitat for Humanity for ten years. Prior to that I worked for Beaver Lumber, Home Hardware and Canada Post.
Outside of operating your business what do you get up to for activities in your personal time?
When I have the time (which isn’t often these days) I love to do nature photography. We are so blessed to have some of the best mountains, rivers and forest to explore anywhere on earth.
Lastly, is there anything else you might want our readers to know about you or your business?
Our store is hopefully just the beginning. We hope to increase our waste diversion through public education, researching new uses for reclaimed materials and creating and manufacturing upcycled items ourselves.
If you would like to drop off some of your used items or browse their selection of local furniture and antiques visit their website and connect with them using social media apps on Instagram and Facebook.
Storefront is located at #2 – 440 Brooksbank Avenue in North Vancouver
Customer service is tom@urbanrepurpose.ca or 604-990-5576
