Jacqueline Fetchuk of Canora was looking to open a store in Canora, and at the same time was concerned that “we are becoming a throw away society.” It didn’t take long for her to realize that these two interests created an opportunity.
On June 23, the doors of Better Than Before, a new store selling used clothing and other second-hand items, will be opened to the public for the first time.
“When COVID-19 came upon us and I was hearing how everyone finally had the time to clear their homes and closets, I started really thinking about a used store,” said Fetchuk. “The transfer station coming here in a couple of years also pushed me in that direction. Then I read a quote on the Internet that went something like, ‘The most sustainable product in the world right now is the one that is already made.’ That was the deciding point for me.”
Fetchuk said she has done a considerable amount of research on sustainability. She found that approximately 80 per cent of textiles produced are thrown into landfills and can be there for over 200 years. The average person throws away 37 kg (81.5 lb) of textiles a year. It takes 700 gallons of water for every white T-shirt sent to the landfills and 1,800 gallons for each pair of jeans.
“By recycling textiles and clothing we avoid pollution and energy-intensive production of new products,” she said. “At Better Than Before, by purchasing a pair of lightly used name brand jeans for between $7 and $25, instead of $80 to $140 for new, you’ve saved that 1,800 gallons of water and those jeans you just bought won’t be in a landfill for your great, great, great-grandchildren to have to worry about the methane gas they would be giving off trying to decompose.”
Initially the store will offer lightly used clothing from newborn to 5XL, including everything from sweaters, hoodies and jeans to bathing suits, as well as items for home décor such as homemade keychains and costume jewelry.
“My product comes from the people in the Canora area and beyond, as far north as Hudson Bay and as far south as Regina,” continued Fetchuk. “I examine every product myself, even if someone tells me that they have just cleaned it. Thank you to those who do that. I still go through each item thoroughly. Stains are treated, washed, dried and sometimes treated a second and third time. I try to keep as much out of the landfills as I can. If I am unable or feel that an item of clothing cannot be sold, it gets cut up and put into rag bags and sold in the store. Buttons, zippers and buckles are cut off and sold in small bags for sewers and crafters.
“When you come into Better Than Before, you will find that less than 20 per cent of the store setup and product is “new.” Most of everything in my store is reused, recycled or refurbished. My equipment and displays are all second hand, maybe even third- or fourth-hand.”
Fetchuk said she literally has a sister store in nearby Norquay.
“It’s owned by my little sister Lisa Petryshyn and it’s called Gifts Galore and a Whole Lot More,” she explained. “She will supply me with helium balloons and flower bouquets, home decorating items ‘and a whole lot more’ of new items. If there is anything someone sees on her Facebook page and would like to purchase it, arrangements can be made for pickup at Better Than Before with an e-Transfer payment, and vice versa.”
Fetchuk is starting without any paid employees, but said she’s getting valuable support from friends and family, including her husband Michael. He made the unique counter at the front of the store out of old wood. The counter top was created out of a single 2 x 12.
A priority of the new business is to support community organizations.
“If something is in good to great condition, it gets donated,” resolved Fetchuk. “The SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) or Paws & Claws get blankets and stuffed animals for the fur babies. Ladies and kids clothing will be going to Shelwin House women’s shelter. A box of hockey cards was given to me by Maddix Sawka. Some of those cards are worth $50 to $60. They will be packaged in “surprise packages” and sold with 100 per cent of the proceeds going to Paws & Claws along with stuffies (stuffed animals) and blankets at the end of June.”
Fetchuk said she first moved to Canora to start Grade 10 in the mid 80s when her father, Bert Menzies, was a roadmaster for CN. She graduated in 1985.
“I moved away in 1991, but Canora always felt like home,” she recalled. “I moved back here in 2009 and started working at the Gateway Co-op in the bakery and also worked for Sask Health as a continuing care attendant and at the Gateway Co-op C-Store until recently.
“Before moving back to Canora I had an embroidery business. I would create logos for companies and clients, digitize them and embroider them on garments and caps that I would order for the accounts. After I sold it, I moved home to Canora.”
Fetchuk and her husband have two children and five grandchildren, and place a great deal of importance on family time.
“When I’m not working I spend my time with my best friend and husband Michael. We do a lot of yard work, which we actually consider more as playing,” she said. “We love fishing, camping and going to places all over Saskatchewan. We have a beautiful province with so much to see and explore!
“Every year for the August long weekend our family rents the Nelson Lake Bible Camp for the week. Usually between 25 to 40 of our family members gather together. I promise everyone that Better Than Before will be closed from Wednesday to Wednesday over the long weekend in August. It’s our holiday time every year.”
To keep overhead costs down, Fetchuk is initially accepting cash and e-Transfers only.
She is hoping to inspire residents in Canora and surrounding area to find ways to become more environmentally aware.
“My goal for this business is to keep as much out of our landfills as I can and to hopefully encourage everyone else to do the same.”
Fetchuk said there has already been a “fantastic response” to the new venture, which has led her and Michael to discuss a future expansion of the store.
“An expansion would bring in furniture, household items, toys and games, along with artwork from myself, my husband’s intarsia (woodworking technique that uses varied shapes, sizes and species of wood fitted together to create a picture) and art from local artists.
Better Than Before will be open from Tuesday to Saturday, including Thursday evenings.
