When you walk into a thrift store with a familiar name, it’s easy to assume it’s a homegrown Canadian business. But how many of the big-name thrift stores in Canada are actually Canadian? Let’s take a closer look.
Definitely not Canadian. Value Village is owned by Savers Value Village, a U.S.-based for-profit thrift retailer headquartered in Bellevue, Washington. While it has a significant presence in Canada and partners with local charities to source donations, the company itself is American.
Not reaaaally Canadian. Goodwill started in the U.S. and is still run out of the States, with its branding and oversight coming from the American head office. In Canada, Goodwill stores are operated by local nonprofits, but they’re still part of the larger U.S.-based network. So while you’re technically supporting a Canadian charity when you shop there, the organization as a whole isn’t Canadian. It’s an American-founded thrift chain with Canadian branches.
Technically Canadian, but part of a global organization. The Salvation Army was founded in the UK and operates internationally, but its Canadian thrift stores are run by The Salvation Army Thrift Store – National Recycling Operations, which is a registered charity in Canada. So while it has roots elsewhere, its Canadian operations are local.
The Salvation Army has also faced criticism for its historical stance on LGBTQ+ rights and other social issues. Some thrifters choose to avoid supporting them for this reason.
Canadian. Formerly known as BFM Thrift Stores, Mission Thrift Stores are operated by Bible League Canada and run as a non-profit organization supporting Christian ministries (I.e. spreading religious teachings…if that’s not your thing, you might want to thrift elsewhere). It is however a fully Canadian-owned and operated chain.
Canadian. Run by Mennonite Central Committee Canada, MCC Thrift stores are locally operated and entirely non-profit, with proceeds going toward global relief efforts.
Canadian. Talize is a for-profit thrift chain based in Canada. Unlike many other thrift retailers, it does not operate as a charity but does partner with organizations like the Children’s Wish Foundation for fundraising efforts.
Most Likely Canadian. There are countless independently owned and operated thrift stores, including hospital auxiliary shops, church and charity run shops, and small community thrift stores. These shops are often run by local volunteers or non-profits, with proceeds staying within the community to support hospitals, shelters, and other initiatives. If supporting a truly Canadian thrift experience is your priority, these are some of the best places to shop.
If you want your thrift dollars to stay in Canada and directly support local communities, independent thrift stores, hospital auxiliary shops, and MCC Thrift Stores are your best options. These are typically non-profit, locally run, and often give back to the community.
If you’re open to for-profit chains but still want to shop Canadian, Talize and Mission Thrift Stores are Canadian-owned, though Mission Thrift supports Christian ministries, which may not align with everyone’s values.
Goodwill and Salvation Army operate in Canada but have international roots, and Salvation Army has faced criticism for its social policies.
Value Village is fully American-owned and operates as a for-profit business, despite its presence in Canada and partnerships with local charities.
Thrifting is already a great way to shop more sustainably, but knowing where your money goes can help you make more informed choices about which thrift chains align with your values.
