A Focus on a Closed-Loop Model at Thistle & Wren By Tasha Medve
Article Written by Tasha Medve
As we we’re getting ready for the arrival of our first born we had no idea what we needed, what was necessary and how many clothes we should have on hand. No matter how much you prepare, I don’t think you’ll ever be quite ready. I found myself buying new things I thought we needed. I would read blogs from other moms on their experiences and how you “have to have X,Y & Z”. Well I am here to tell you less is more, half of the “stuff” you do not need and secondhand is such a HUGE part of our lives now. We even shop secondhand for ourselves!
Children grow fast, they go through clothes & toys every 2-3 months. I started looking into different secondhand stores in Victoria that carry quality over quantity and I fell in love with Thistle & Wren. Thistle & Wren is a boutique-inspired children’s consignment collective that focuses on a sustainable closed-loop model. Wouldn’t is be amazing to only have sustainably & ethically made clothing that children wear over and over again and can be recycled into new clothing and kept out of landfills?
Thistle & Wren is a female owned and operated small business located in the heart of Fernwood Square, minutes from downtown Victoria. They focus on Canadian and North American brands that use sustainable and ethical practices (whenever possible) and mostly female led businesses. Their goal is to carry items that will come back over and over again for others to love. You can buy new and used items there depending on what your needs are. We aren’t just talking about clothes but you can purchase new & used books, toys, shoes, accessories and there’s even a section for mom!
Curious to know which brands they carry? Here’s a few to highlight:
Jax & Lennon- beautiful
West Von (new in the shop!)-
Thistle & Wren believes in giving back to help support their community. They collaborate with two community non-profits in Victoria: FERNWOOD NRG (Fernwood Neighbourhood Resource Group (NRG), a non-profit community association providing a number of programs for parents and parents to be, as well as other community programs) & YMCA YOUNG MOMS PROGRAM which provides safe, stable, affordable housing for young mothers (aged 16-29) and their child under the age of five years. I am so proud to support these ladies who give back every year to helping families.
We are trilled to have Thistle & Wren in our 2020 holiday gift guide. This Christmas, give the gift of new and used! Mix it up a little, perhaps purchase a new Jax and Lennon shirt and pair it with a used book or toy. I think we have to change the way we think about gift giving this year. Be the change, inspire the change or create the change- you got this!
Tasha xoxo
See Tashas Gift Guide here.