A recent fire forced the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) Furniture Thrift Store in Winnipeg to temporarily close its doors due to smoke and water damage. A vacant house beside the shop went up in flames on May 11, just after 1 a.m., with the cause of the fire still under investigation.
Laurie Goetz, store manager, told Canadian Mennonite the store will be closed for approximately a month. Their stock was not severely affected, as the furniture and fabric appear in good condition and Goetz’s team is working on assessments and repairs as needed.
The blaze had more of an impact on the building. The wall of the thrift shop closest to the fire contained all the electrical wiring, which melted from the heat and then became soaked.
“We just completed our [best first] quarter ever in our 20 years there,” Goetz said. “We were on a really good healthy streak, and a lot of the Ukrainian newcomers were coming in and supporting us and getting some good-quality furniture. It’s been a real stinker for a lot of people.”
While insurance will compensate for most losses, she is still determining whether that includes loss of sales while the store remains closed. It’s a significant contribution—the furniture thrift store brought in $400,000 in sales throughout 2022. After operating costs were paid, $140,000 of those funds went directly to MCC projects in developing countries and in Manitoba. The loss of that income “would be a big loss for our community,” Goetz said.
The Winnipeg Fire Paramedic Service had the fire under control within 90 minutes and reported no injuries.
When this vacant home was destroyed by fire, the MCC Furniture Thrift Store next door was forced to close for a month. (Photo by Aaron Epp)
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