The Handsome Daughter was packed with items and people.
The Handsome Daughter on Sherbrook St. was the location for the first ever Stuff Swap, where Winnipeggers were invited to bring their unwanted items and help themselves to what others were giving away.
People brought everything from clothing to books, CD’s, DVD’s, printers and ghetto blasters to dishes and furniture (someone even brought a mini fridge).
The event was organized by Waste Not Winnipeg, a recently launched website that promotes “wasting less and wanting less.”
The whole idea and message for the event was to get people to think about reusing and recycling items as well as keeping things out of landfills.
Everything from electronics, books and CD’s to clothing and furniture were up for grabs.
A steady stream of people came on Sunday from noon till 4 p.m., for what some called, “the world’s best garage sale” because everything was free. Whether a person brought anything or not, everyone was welcome to take whatever caught their eye.
Treasure hunters were serenaded by about ten different musicians on the ‘Mic Swap’ stage throughout the afternoon. Much nicer than some of the canned music you might hear in a chain store.
Mitch and Jacob were the first of many musicians up on the ‘mic swap’ stage.
Organizer Megan Redmond was quite happy and surprised at the number of people who showed up. She told me the place filled up very quickly with stuff and they had to turn people’s donations away, directing them to bring the items to the Thrift store down the street instead. Redmond estimated about 200 people showed up for the event. She hopes to do it again, “perhaps every two months,” she said.
Organizer Megan Redmond kept very busy adding donated items to the tables throughout the afternoon.
All photos by Doug Kretchmer
Waste Not Winnipeg is a new website dedicated to being sustainable in a modern world. The site tells the stories of creative thinkers in Winnipeg who are making a positive shift from waste culture, enriching their lives and their community in the process. To read the stories or share your own, visit www.wastenotwpg.com.
Learn more about the Stuff Swap on their event page, or contact Waste Winnipeg Founder, Megan Redmond at 204.918.7372 or on Twitter @wastenotwpg or by email megan@wastenotwpg.com
Thanks for reporting on this story, Doug! Great event, well told story!!