Value Village has officially opened the doors to its newest location in the western part of Toronto’s North York today, May 8, offering Toronto residents a fresh destination for sustainable, secondhand shopping. Located at 2549 Weston Road in the Pelmo Park–Humberlea neighbourhood, the store is now welcoming customers eager to browse thousands of pre-loved items in a large, purpose-driven retail space.
Value Village has been part of the Canadian retail landscape for over four decades, operating 165 stores across all 10 provinces and employing more than 11,000 Canadians. The chain, owned by Bellevue, Washington-based Savers Value Village Inc., is the largest for-profit thrift retailer in North America and has been expanding steadily in urban centres like Toronto.
Nicole McPherson, Vice President of Canada Field Operations at Value Village, emphasized the importance of expanding access to sustainable shopping: “The store will offer shoppers more than just great deals and unique finds—it will provide a space to make mindful choices, shop with purpose, and give pre-loved items a new lease on life.”
A Commitment to Reuse and Sustainability
The new North York store contributes to Value Village’s broader sustainability mission. Between 2020 and 2024, the company helped divert more than 1.5 billion pounds of reusable goods from Canadian landfills. Each week, the new store will introduce approximately 34,000 items to its sales floor, ranging from fashion and accessories to housewares, electronics, and books.
As part of its unique business model, Value Village purchases donated goods from nonprofit organizations, paying them by volume regardless of resale outcomes. This model ensures a consistent revenue stream for partners while driving a reuse economy.
From fiscal 2020 through 2024, Value Village paid over $347 million to its Canadian nonprofit partners for secondhand goods—supporting charitable programming in communities across the country.
Partnership with The Kidney Foundation of Canada
Today’s store opening also marks the beginning of a new partnership between Value Village and The Kidney Foundation of Canada through the Kidney Clothes program. Donations made at the new location will help fund kidney research, patient care, and community outreach programs.
“The new partnership will help fund important programs and resources that strengthen The Kidney Foundation of
Canada’s mission,” said Sylvia Krampelj, Managing Director of Kidney Clothes. “The funds raised through contributions and donations at this Toronto store will help drive progress with groundbreaking research, enhance patient support programs and bring hope to individuals affected by kidney disease.”
Founded in 1964, The Kidney Foundation remains one of Canada’s leading charitable organizations in kidney-related research and advocacy.
The Rise of Thrifting in Toronto
The opening comes at a time when secondhand shopping is increasingly popular across Canada. According to the 2024 Thrift Report, more than 40% of Gen Z Canadians are engaging in thrifting, and 90% of Canadians have either donated to or shopped at a thrift store in the past year.
This growing interest in secondhand retail is driven by a blend of environmental awareness, rising cost-of-living pressures, and a search for unique, personal style. In a city like Toronto, where fast fashion once dominated, thrift stores like Value Village are becoming essential to both individual wardrobes and sustainable consumer habits.
The North York opening is part of Value Village’s mission to make secondhand shopping second nature. With more than 165 stores in Canada and an expanding footprint in Toronto, the brand is helping reshape consumer behaviour and spark community involvement—one donated item and one conscious purchase at a time.
