The VGH Thrift Store is located in the East Village, one of Vancouver’s hottest up-and-coming neighbourhoods. Our bright, newly renovated space is a thrift shopper’s dream, and the free parking lot in the back is available for shoppers, donation drop-offs and volunteers.
Store Address:
2535 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V5K 1Z2
Store: 604.876.3731
Email: vghthriftstore@shawbiz.ca
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about shopping, donations, and supporting the VGH Thrift Store.
🛍️ Shopping & Purchases
How can I pay for my purchase?
We accept cash, debit, and credit cards. At this time, we’re not able to accept cheques.
Can I purchase items online?
Because our donations change daily and every item is unique, we can only sell merchandise in-store.
What is the store’s return/exchange policy?
Most of our items are final sale, but we’re always happy to help you check that items are complete and in good working order before you buy them.
Clothing
Can be exchanged for store credit within two weeks of purchase, with the original receipt and tags still attached.
Electronics
Can be returned for a refund within two weeks, with the original receipt and price sticker.
All sale items are final sale.
Do you offer discounts?
Yes!
- Seniors’ Day: Mondays — seniors receive 10% off their purchases
- Clothing Sales Rack: Selected clothing items are always available for $1.99
Do you offer delivery or hold items for customers?
We do not offer delivery, but we’re happy to hold fully paid items for a limited time to help customers arrange transportation. Please confirm with one of our volunteers in-store.
Do you offer gift cards or gift certificates?
No, we do not offer gift cards or gift certificates at this time.
How does the VGH Thrift Store determine prices?
We consider several factors when pricing items. Our goal is to balance affordability for the community with raising funds for local healthcare. Our prices are generally lower than those of many other thrift stores, thanks to the hard work of our volunteers.
📦 Donations
Do you pick up donations?
We’re not currently able to offer pick-up services.
Donations can be brought to our store at 2535 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V5C 2H6. Please enter through the alley behind the shop.
We accept donations during business hours only (Monday–Saturday, 11 AM–4 PM). Items left outside these hours are often damaged or stolen, and we want your donations to make it safely into the store.
We do not accept furniture without prior email approval. Refer to the Ways to Give page for full details.
Do you have specific donation drop-off hours?
Yes: Monday to Saturday from 11 AM – 4 PM.
A wagon is available near the entrance for small drop-offs.
For larger drop-offs, our back door is open 9:30 AM – 5 PM, and you can drive right up to the donation table.
To protect items from damage, we kindly ask that donations not be left outside these hours.
Address: 2535 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V5C 2H6.
Do you take furniture?
Because we are a small store, we have limited space for larger items. Smaller pieces (such as chairs or small tables) may be accepted.
All furniture donations are subject to review upon arrival. Due to space, safety, and operational considerations, we may not be able to accept all items.
Please email a photo to vghthriftstore@shawbiz.ca before bringing furniture in. We may decline items that haven’t been approved or that differ from the photos provided.
Do you take children’s items like cribs or high chairs?
No. Due to expiry dates, safety standards, and other regulations, we are not able to accept items such as cribs, high chairs, car seats, or similar children’s equipment.
I’m not sure if you accept the items I want to donate.
You can find a detailed list of accepted and non-accepted items on our Ways to Give page.
All donations are subject to review at the time of drop-off.
If you’re still unsure, feel free to call us at 604-876-3731 or email vghthriftstore@shawbiz.ca — we’re always happy to help!
Do you offer tax receipts for donated items?
No. As a non-profit thrift store, we are not able to provide tax receipts for donated goods.
Do you offer coupons when I donate items?
No. Some for-profit thrift chains offer donation coupons, but as a small community non-profit, we focus all net proceeds directly toward supporting local healthcare.
🏪 Store Information
Is parking available?
Yes. There is street parking near the store, and donors can access our back-alley parking area for easy drop-offs. We’re also conveniently accessible by transit.
Address: 2535 East Hastings Street, Vancouver, BC V5C 2H6.
Who is the VGH Thrift Store?
We are a community-centred non-profit run by dedicated volunteers and staff. We began as an emergency clothing fund for patients at Vancouver General Hospital and have grown into a vibrant thrift store offering clothing, housewares, collectibles, and more.
All net proceeds support equipment, comfort items, and programs for patients and clients at VGH, UBC Hospital, and Vancouver Coastal Health.
Our first storefront opened in 2004 in Mount Pleasant. Today, you can find us in our new home on East Hastings Street in the Hastings-Sunrise community.
Why should I shop at the VGH Thrift Store?
Every purchase directly supports local healthcare—100% of our net proceeds benefit patients, residents, and clients across VCH hospitals and care sites.
Your support also helps create opportunities for volunteers of all ages and backgrounds who join us for community connection, skills development, and meaningful experience.
How often do you put out new items?
New items are continually priced and placed on the shelves throughout the day by our volunteers. There’s always something new to discover!
🔄 Items & Operations
What happens to items you cannot sell?
We do our best to ensure donated items find a second life. When items don’t sell, we use several responsible options, including:
- marking items down or adding them to our sales racks
- recycling whenever possible
- partnering with Diabetes Canada for textile and clothing recycling
These approaches help reduce waste and ensure items are handled as responsibly as possible. Final decisions on item handling are made based on condition and operational requirements.
Do you clean or launder donations?
No. We don’t have the facilities or capacity to clean or launder donated items, so we kindly recommend washing or sanitizing items at home before use.
While we make every reasonable effort during sorting, items may not be fully assessed.
🙋 Volunteers & Contact
Do you take volunteers?
Absolutely — we’re always welcoming new volunteers!
Volunteer roles and participation are based on current operational needs and availability.
You can explore our volunteer opportunities and fill out our online volunteer form on our website. Click here to see a list of volunteer opportunities that we offer.
Who can I contact if I have a concern or feedback?
We value feedback from our community. If you have a concern or would like to share feedback, please get in touch with us at vghthriftstore@shawbiz.ca, and a member of our team will follow up as appropriate.
