BeatRoute Magazine AB Edition December 2018

CITY
17th Ave Thrift
charity for animal shelters gets a big, warm welcome
Sue Ghebari - 17th Ave Thrift
At the end of July, Sue Ghebari opened the
doors of 17thAve Thrift after working in
the supermarket world for 34 years. Ghebari,
and a business partner at the time who had
extensive thrift shop experience, sparked an
idea of combining thrifting with charity. Although
Ghebari dreamed of opening her own
animal shelter, the task was overwhelming for
her alone. By opening a thrift store, she could
create a new rewarding business and also
direct some funding towards rescue operations
for animals. It was a start-up that came
surprisingly easily.
“It was just incredible how everything just
seemed to work out without really trying,”
Ghebari says. “From start to finish we were
up and running within two months. That included
the renovation of our space, which was
a complete mess when we moved in. Glass
was everywhere, the carpet was damaged
from water and you could smell the mildew.
Everything had to be torn out and we had to
start fresh.”
Many animal shelters struggle with boarding
fees, health costs, training fees, and basic
necessities. With a limited number of foster
families available to take in these animals,
shelters are stuck with racking up kenneling
fees which is a huge concern along with the
vet bills. Knowing that some large charities
have turned into a profiting, self-satisfying
business, Ghebari ensures that her business
never loses sight of what’s most important.
CITY
By Chantel Belisle
PHOTO: CHANTAL BELISLE
“We focus mostly on the underfunded
shelters out there such as ARF, the Meow
Foundation, the Alice Sanctuary and Robin’s
Refuge, which is a one woman show. I’ve met
her and she is a fantastic lady and she does it
all on her own with support from the public.”
The surrounding neighbourhood is Killarney,
which is incredibly dog-friendly. Since
opening, Ghebari noticed how welcoming the
community has been, often bringing car loads
of items to donate and expressing their desire
to support shelters.
“Throughout the renovations we put up a
sign in the window saying ‘Opening Soon’ and
everyday you would see people walk by and
look in. When we were finally open, we’d get a
lot of ‘Oh, I’ve been waiting for you to open!’”
The store allows furry little friends to come
in and shop with their owners, and may even
get a special treat at the counter.
“We have had the best response from
people, there are so many animal lovers in
our city. The people have been incredibly supportive
and welcoming. People are more than
happy to donate perfectly wonderful items,
new items, and they are so excited to do it!
Calgarians are just so giving,” says Ghebari
gratefully.
17th Ave Thrift Store is located at 2631 - 17 Ave.
SW. While they accept a wide range of donations,
they do not take furniture. However, you’re more
than welcome to bring your dog for a visit.
MAKE IT HAPPEN
a guidebook for the creative entrepreneur
By Jordan Yeager
Craft fairs are not just for your grandma
anymore (but hey, she’s still invited). When
Jenna Herbut and her brother Chandler started
their modern take on the classic makers market,
Make It!, in 2008, it was their goal to make craft
fairs appealing to people from all walks of life –
grandparents, 20-somethings, and grandchildren
alike.
As a student in 2004, Herbut started her first
business: Booty Beltz. Eventually, Booty Beltz
— belts made of scarves with easy-to-wear
fasteners — were sold in 120 stores across Canada,
the United States and Japan. Herbut also
peddled them at craft fairs around the country.
It was at these markets that she noticed a trend.
“The fairs were quite traditional, the customers
were a bit older, and I was in my 20s,” says
Herbut. “So I thought if the vibe was different
– if the marketing was fresh and appealed to
people my own age – you would get a whole
different demographic coming in.”
Herbut decided to go for it and put on a small
market in Edmonton. Ten years later, the creator-driven
exhibition has grown from 25 booths
to more than 215 vendors selling their wares at
the bi-annual shows that take place in Vancouver,
Edmonton and Calgary. Herbut has been at
the helm of it all, eventually letting Booty Beltz
“die a slow death” as she focused instead on the
Make It! project, which was “a bigger adventure.”
“With business, sometimes people fail
because they’re playing too small,” she says. “It’s
no different than a breakup. You fall in love, you
open your heart, you give yourself to something,
and sometimes it doesn’t work out. But you
grieve it, you mourn it, and then you move on.”
For any up-and-coming creators or entrepreneurs
who have the energy but aren’t sure
exactly where to channel it, Herbut has written
a book called, appropriately, “Make It Happen.”
The book is essentially a guide for people who
were in her position all those years ago: people
navigating the business world for the first time
who “have no idea what the hell” they’re doing.
She’s noticed a trend in young creators who
may hold back from pursuing their goals for fear,
both of failure and of success.
Herbut will be selling copies of her book at each
upcoming Make It! Market. Catch her in Calgary
Dec. 6-9 at Deerfoot City 901- 64 Ave. NE.
BEATROUTE • DECEMBER 2018 | 7