The Scrap Came Back at 153-A St.Anne’s Road
Repurposed, reimagined, recycled and fair trade is what The Scrap Came Back store back is all about.
The gift shop at 153-A St. Anne’s Road has been open since November 2013 but they’re having their ribbon cutting ceremony at 11:00 am Wednesday, March 19 with Fred Penner cutting the ribbon.
The entertainer is an appropriate choice since the store is named after his song, ‘The Cat Came Back‘ (actually written in 1892 by Harry S. Miller with more violent lyrics and adapted by Fred in 1980 in a gentler way). Another Winnipegger, Cordell Barker, made a hilarious animated video based on the song in 1988.
The Scrap Came Back store is run by DASCH (Direct Action in Support of Community Homes) which is a social enterprise whose main mission is to provide housing for individuals with developmental disabilities. DASCH has been in operation for 40 years and has built 55 houses since its inception.
Right now their goal is to raise $2 million dollars over the next two years to build 12 houses for people institutionalized at the Manitoba Development Center in Portage LaPrairie.
The store was set up to empower artists and provide barrier free employment skills. There is an artist work space in the back of the store where artists learn and perfect their craft.
Unique Winnipeg gift shop provides support for artists while helping to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Arts educator Candis Militere, who has 30 years of upcycling experience (bringing an item back to life by creating something out of it and keeping it out of the landfill at the same time), was brought on board by Director of Development, Susanne Williams, to facilitate and assist the artists in the workshops held there.
The store sells many unique pieces of art which make great gifts for all occasions as well as greeting cards, paintings and jewellery. All of the art is locally made by Manitoba artists and the artists sell their work on commission with proceeds going towards funding DASCH projects.
Recently, Art From the Heart has partnered with DASCH and the 200+ artist members of Art From the Heart will be selling their works through the store on a rotating basis.
If you would like to purchase something truly unique and original as a gift for someone, or even for yourself (supporting local artists and helping Manitobans with disabilities at the same time) come on down to The Scrap Came Back at 153-A St. Anne’s Road.
You may be surprised what you find at The Scrap Came Back
Photos by Doug Kretchmer
