Thanks to donations, power back on at Edmonton thrift store swamped by bills

An Edmonton business that provides low-cost clothing to help those struggling with rising costs is now fighting for its own survival.

Bills have been piling up at second-hand thrift store Blenderz Garment Recyclers, to the point where the power was shut off this week. And it’s happened before.

“The power going out was devastating,” said founder and owner Sarah Janzen. “I’m not going to lie, it wasn’t the first time. But it’s definitely getting harder and harder to keep picking myself up and keep fighting from behind.”

The three-year-old business – on Gateway Boulevard for a year now – is Canada’s first and only zero-waste textile recycler. It’s been a stressful few months for Janzen, as energy costs continue to rise in Alberta.

“Lately, in the last three to four months, our bills overall have risen 20 per cent or more,” she said.

That includes her EPCOR bill. Janzen’s floating rate went up from just over 27 cents per kilowatt in July to more than 32 cents per kilowatt in August – a nearly 19 per cent increase.

Sarah Janzen, founder and owner of Edmonton’s Blenderz Garment Recyclers thrift store, showing an EPCOR bill. (Adrienne South, CityNews)

Coupled with rent increasing $500 a month, Janzen admits times are tough.

“It’s just become unmanageable and it’s really starting to push us backwards where we can’t afford to pay staff,” she said. “So then as a small business owner, I end up taking on more and more roles and I’m not able to run the business and it all just starts to crumble.”

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Janzen feels this is a trend happening with other small businesses. She hopes others speak up and support one another.

“It’s vulnerable saying ‘look, we’re struggling.’ It’s hard. It’s a very difficult thing to do to ask for help and admit that things aren’t great.”

After posting her struggle on social media, she says the community came together and donated money. The lights were back on by Tuesday morning.

Sarah Janzen, founder and owner of Edmonton’s Blenderz Garment Recyclers thrift store, on Sept. 26, 2023. (Adrienne South, CityNews)

“It’s honestly so great to see that the community is coming together to put the lights back on and it’s great to see because it was a huge concern,” said Blenderz customer Katherine Kingston.

Customer and volunteer Eve Cole was grateful to have the doors back open.

“I’m on AISH (Assured Income for the Severely Handicapped) so the fact that it’s just part time and the hours are fairly flexible has been amazing,” said Cole. “I have tried to get as many people as possible to come in and I’ve heard so many people say there need to be more places like this.”

Exterior of Edmonton’s Blenderz Garment Recyclers thrift store on Sept. 26, 2023. (Adrienne South, CityNews)

Janzen says the business is taking suggestions from customers and other businesses to find financially sustainable ways to continue moving forward, starting with switching to another energy provider.

The donations, advice and kindness of the community is a bright spot during dark financial times, Janzen says.

“They re-affirmed they do want this, there is a deep need for this type of service in Edmonton, and I felt like we survived to fight another day.”