Thrift shopping, finding a good deal, unique item. If you're located in or around the Kingsville,
Ontario area, you're going to want to come to the newest thrift/consignment store
Altr. And I have with me the owners, Jess and Steve Muzzin. And in case this is the first time
you're tuning in, my name is Tracy Martens and I'm the host of this podcast, YQG In Bloom. It is
everything local to the Windsor-Essex County area. So how you guys doing? We're doing well. Now I
didn't realize until today that I just thought it was ALTR, but it's Altr. Now what made you
choose that name considering there's no E in it? Yeah, no. So Altr, for us it was a perspective
thing. Okay. So when you think about thrift, whether it's apparel or home decor, we wanted
to have an alternative sort of offering. And then sort of to push that a little bit further,
we felt like just even just altering the name itself. And it became sort of a talking piece.
Well, because things that are used are usually missing something. So why not miss a letter?
Right? It's a good way of looking at it too. Now, how long have you guys been open? It's been about
three months, a little over three months. It's closed right now. They close on Saturdays at 3
p.m. And we're setting up for the podcast. People were still coming and we had to tell them it was
closed because they want to find this place that they've heard about or they're just fans.
It's nonstop. The community has been amazing. We have nothing but wonderful things to say,
whether it's the donations or just the biggest thing for me is word of mouth. There's no amount
of money that could buy advertising like that. And the positive feedback we've been receiving
has been outstanding. The generous donations. It's amazing being immersed into this community
because I think some people take it for granted and we are seeing it firsthand and we just like,
we appreciate it so much more. Yeah, embracing it as well. Yeah. Oh, for sure. And you also do
consignment. We do. So we do some consignment. It'll be like a traditional consignment agreement
for higher end pieces. And then for a lower ticket price, we would do a buyout for those items.
Okay. Yeah. Cause I know your chair, you're sitting in right now. That is consignment.
Yes. As well as I'm sure you guys can see this huge ottoman, which is gorgeous. So there's no
haggling on those prices, but you never know. But I love, I've been here twice now and looking
through like people aren't just dumping off stuff like they do at other thrift stores. Like these
are really, really nice items. People are actually taking care as to what they're bringing in you
guys. For sure. And something that's important to us too. And we, we make sure that we communicate
that to everyone is that you don't need to vet what you're bringing here. Obviously like we're
looking for things that still have life in them, but if it needs some repair, like we, we do those
fixings, we curate the pieces because we want to make sure it's a tight space. So we want to make
sure the things that we do focus on in here are things that the community would be interested in.
But we're also working with the mission. So any pieces, like if there's a item article of clothing
that has a stain or something, we don't toss anything. No, we save it and then we're dropping
it off at the mission to share with them. Oh, that that's really nice. Yeah. There's always,
it's useful. There's exactly. And I guess like the biggest component, which we didn't touch on with
the donations is where we're working with Ursa major in town. Yeah. I was going to bring that
up and I'm sure people want to give good quality stuff because a portion of the proceeds is going
to Ursa major. Exactly. And it's, it's wonderful when people come in and they're already familiar
with the organization. And that's usually like the catalyst to why they're bringing things in
because they want to support whether they have like a family member or a friend that is attending
as a member there. So, and Ursa itself is a day program, a day support program for adults with
intellectual disabilities. So we, Steve and I, it was important to us when we started Alter to align
with something that really meant something to us personally. And our son, our seven year old son
is autistic and we had never heard of Ursa, but a friend of ours was like, oh, you should check out
little bear cafe, which they do on Mondays from nine 30 to 12 30. And their members serve you
coffee and everything's donation based, but it gives them the social skills. What is that church
called again? That's the, so we didn't know it's the Kingsville community church, community church,
Ursa major and the deputy mayor are supposed to be on my podcast. They were supposed to be on a
while ago. Unfortunately I got sick and things happened and it got pushed back, but that church
does so much. The deputy mayor, Kim DeYoung. Yeah. She does what you guys have. It's a bake shop
and they have their, so many events for seniors. Yep. In the community. It's a community center
too. Yeah. That's the thing. I had no idea. And I live here and then I met Ursa major and they're
just beautiful people. Sweetest people. So what made you guys decide to open Alter? Well,
the short story. I was working, we lived in Toronto for a period of time working in the
advertising and marketing industry. Steve still works remote for a Toronto agency and I was
working for a Chicago agency. So when I moved home, I was traveling back and forth and it just became
a lot. And after COVID, I think again, back to Alter perspective, my perspective shifted and
I was, I felt like I was missing out on family and we live in such a good community and I always
felt like I wanted to be, to feel a part of it. Like I had so much more to offer. And just one day
I reached my breaking point. It was a blessing in disguise. The boss I had, thank you now,
not thank you at the time, but pushed me to my breaking point and I was like, you know what?
This isn't worth it. Like it was taking a toll on me personally, mentally, on my family. So then we
decided to give this a go. It's something, we are big thrifters. So this is something we're extremely
passionate about. So we were like, let's give it a shot. I always say never look a gift horse in the
mouth because the same thing happened to me. It was let go from a job and I was really, oh my God,
devastated about it. And then like a month later I walked back in and I said, thanks.
Right. I appreciate it because it forced me to do something else as a mom. Yes. I had to do something
and it forced me to do, I had started a cleaning business and that took off for a few years.
Good for you. Days and nights, but it does, it helps you to get perspective on what you want to do.
Absolutely. It's funny that you mentioned as a mom because for me after that moment in my career,
I thought to myself, if my child came to me with this problem, what would I tell them to do?
And I was like, get out of there. Like it's not worth the toll it's taking on you. So. Exactly.
Yeah. Life's too short. Easier said than done. It is, but sometimes you just gotta go. You know,
sometimes it just takes a few years. Like you're not going to always get it right out of college.
If you go to college or university, if you don't, that's okay. That's right. But you know,
like it's usually a couple careers in, unless you are straight focused from the get-go that you want
to be a doctor or a lawyer or something. It's usually a couple careers until you find your
passion. Right. So I always say if you fail the first time, don't worry. Just something like this
is going to come along. Right. Like you learn along the way. That's the most important thing.
As long as you take away something from those, not even mistakes, but their experiences and they
build the person that you are today. Exactly. So yeah. And now you're building this wonderful
company, having time with your kids, helping out an organization and a small community as well.
And I do have to show you guys a few things because the stuff that people bring them are amazing.
Like we said, the chairs minus the yellow one, that's theirs. This I'm bringing home today.
It is a wine bottle holder and the lid and the lid topper, but it's $5. I mean, $5. This is,
it's crazy. But on consignment, this is a Kate Spade purse and there is nothing wrong with it.
It's amazing. $50. You can't even tell that it's been used. If I am all honest, you'd probably
find this at Winners for $150 because I've actually seen them there. Yes. On the weekend
on clearance for $200. And then over, again, I'm not sure if any of you can see, but there is this
beautiful pillow and it is down filled and it came, you said it came right out of the bay. Yeah. We
took it out of the packaging. Yeah. It is 20 bucks. Like, I mean, for a very comfy pillow or
something for your couch to fancy up your living room a bit. Why not? Tracy, we're going to hire
you full time. I love this place. And then the outfits behind me, these guys just put together
while we were getting ready here, while my husband was setting up all of the cameras.
And this one outfit with the green, the green purse, it has, it's the purse. It's the really
nice fuzzy sweater. It's, it's so soft. Two necklaces and the skirt. And I figured it's,
it's probably about $80 all total, including the accessories, which you, they have a lot of jewelry
and necklaces. Tons of accessories. Yeah. I love it. I love it in here. There's a little bit of
everything for everybody. And what are your hours? So our hours are, we're closed Sunday, Monday,
and then we're open Tuesday through Saturday, 11 to three. And Friday is the exception. We extended
our hours to six. I was going to say, you guys are so popular. It's, yes, it's so busy. Which is great.
It's amazing. I mean, upcycling, thrifting, and it's always something different too. And it's like
the perfect business for her because she gets, I'm surprised I'm still around. She changes her mind
on things so often. So it's great that like you can make it something new and every day.
And it's a challenge because so many things, new things come in. It's like, okay, now every day we
walk in, okay, how are we going to rearrange and, and, and, you know, feature some things or just
make it work for the space. Yeah. Yeah. Like I, when we came out here, me and my husband to meet
you guys and I found this blue, I don't even know it was it antique is a blue glass. I don't know if
it's a jug, a jar, a huge vase, but I think it was like $5 and I put tons of buttons in it. And it's
on my table in my set at home. And I love it. That's something that we really love too. And I
mentioned it to you earlier. Like, I love that the buttons were from your grandmother. So when you
look at it, it brings back those memories. Yeah. We, we do receive a lot of people, there's some
seniors that are downsizing and then they are bringing in some China and crystal and they're
sad about it because their kids don't want it. And I saw the pinwheel crystal. I have all my grams.
And she had a ton of it and whatever nobody in the family wanted, I kept it and I have an entire
trunk full of it and I'm looking at it going, okay, I want it, but I'm not going to get it.
I know, but that's the best part for me is like, people come in here, seeking out those pieces and
you know that they're going to take it home and cherish it because like they come in with the
intent of finding like milk glass is a big one. And I don't know what else was there? Yeah, milk
glass is cool. Angels. There's like, there's people that are just collectors of those pieces. So.
But even like the more expensive stuff, the pinwheel crystal, the fancy purses, these are
affordable to people that can't go out and spend a ridiculous amount of money on pinwheel crystal.
For sure. And it's coming back in style. Yeah. You know, people want the old, the old looks again.
Yeah, for sure. How is your house? Is it getting a little, a clock ticks the best. I know. We were
like, I guess like when I was working at the other place, it felt a little more like cold and modern,
but now the warmth is coming out a lot of personality because I want to make it,
it's my mission for us to have thoughtful pieces in there, like your jug with grandma's buttons.
Like I want to look at round and there's like happiness. Yeah. And it is a very happy place.
I mean, we try artwork and I'm going to post a few things that I found in there that I'll probably
come back for on my Instagram. You guys have wonderful stuff. You have a wonderful eye for
decorating the shop and it already needs to be upsized. Yeah. Right. Thank you. We appreciate
you saying that because like it's our happy place too. And we're glad that it's sort of radiating.
Yeah. Because it truly is a, it's a labor of love and we, we just love sort of people come in and we
hear their stories and we share the stories and we talk about Ursa or our story and it's a neat sort
of, it's just sort of a neat venue for it all. It's like a little, all you need is a little
coffee maker and it's a community place. Get the stuff from the church, the pastries and that.
Right. Have a coffee. Yes. Look over purses. You know, that could be the go-to place. In the winter.
Yeah. I know. See, Steve's right. I can't stop. I was just like, yeah, you got it. Yeah. And if you
want to know more about their story, Anna's Flowers, they did a really nice blog that I found today.
Yeah. It was really nice. Beautiful. Better than we expected to be put on. Like, I shouldn't say
that, but it was like, we were blown away by how, how well they captured the business. They really
did. They did a hundred percent and everything they said is, is true. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you
so much. Now, how can people get a hold of you guys? So you can either reach us through social
media, Instagram, or Facebook under Alter Thrift Shop. ALTR. Yes. And Purr-Tante, yes. ALTR. And then also we
have a website, altrrthriftshop.com, and you can send us a message through there as well,
or you can give us a call. I don't remember a phone number. It's on the website.
Oh, this is great. And again, it is Tuesday to Saturday until three, except for Fridays that are
until six. And it starts at 11. That's right. This is great. I want to thank you guys so much
for being on here. I'm glad we finally were able to get together. Thank you. Okay. You guys have to,
if you're in the Kingsville, Ontario area, get down to Alter Thrift, and I'm going to put
and consignment because they do have a lot of beautiful consignment pieces as well. Or if you
want to donate, some of the proceeds are going to Ursa Major, which is a local charity here.
And thank you so much, Justin and Steve. Thank you. I appreciate it. Thanks so much, Tracy.
Again, my name is Tracy Martens, and thank you so much for joining me for another episode of
YQG In Bloom. You guys have a good day.