Paul-Hugo Deslauriers studied fashion marketing at Campus Notre-Dame-de-Foy in the Quebec City region. Since he moved to Montreal in the summer of 2022, he goes to the Renaissance Liquidation Center almost every Thursday. A little to stock your personal wardrobe, but above all to find clothes to resell.
“The more consistent I am, the more I will find things that are expensive or rare,” emphasizes the man who posts his discoveries on the online platforms Depop and Grailed.
If he frequents this store more than any other thrift store, it is because the concept is different and the prices lower. The center receives unsold items from all Renaissance thrift stores, those that have not found a buyer after five weeks on the floor. Items are sold by weight, at a price per pound ranging from $0.34 for dishes and stationery to $2.19 for clothing and accessories, without taxes. Concretely, you can find a complete winter outfit (coat, snow pants, hat, scarf, mittens and boots) for a dozen dollars, a t-shirt for $1.10 and pants for $2.70.
The concept, unique in Quebec, is better known in the United States, where the social enterprise Goodwill operates several such centers. Given the popularity of the location, Renaissance plans to open a second one, in the Rivière-des-Prairies district of Montreal.
Crockery, toys, electronic products and clothing, above all, are placed pell-mell, but by category, in large plastic bins, “tables” in store jargon. Every 45 minutes or so, the same choreography repeats itself. Material handlers come in and leave with a full row of bins that they will replace with brand new tables. No one is allowed near it until the row is complete. Only once everything is in place does the treasure hunt begin.
“You see people dressed a bit like me? asks Paul-Hugo Deslauriers, dressed in a black sweater, pants and toque. We’re all looking for the same things. It’s not a violent competition. But we are all here for the same reason. » They essentially want to get their hands on so-called vintagea generic term which refers to clothing dating from a past era, although sometimes as recent as the 1990s. Pieces which have an attractive resale value, particularly in commercial thrift stores or on online platforms.
PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
From opening to closing, the clearance center is very busy.
Others are there to buy items that they will export internationally, to Africa and Haiti in particular. “During the week, the resellers are here from opening to closing,” says the store manager, Line Chabot, who knows most of them. Before his arrival at the liquidation center, the place was mainly frequented by resellers. His goal was to bring the general public there. “We are still one kilometer from the metro,” she explains. With success. People now come to shop there for their personal needs, many of them young, especially on weekends. The Narcity blog even included the place in a list of 12 activities to do in Montreal.
While the speakers sing Tell me about him by Nicole Croisille, the gold prospectors approach the bins, ready to plunge their gloved hands into them. What exactly are they looking for? “You have to be open, you have to know a little about what you’re looking for, but you never know what you’re going to find,” summarizes Paul-Hugo Deslauriers. Every week you get better. Looking at the sizes, feeling the materials, I will know if it will interest me or not, if they are things cheap or better quality. »
Sometimes I’ll buy things that I think will sell well, but it doesn’t work at all. It’s by doing it a lot that you learn.
Paul-Hugo Deslauriers, clothing reseller
Very wide pants and jeans from the early 2000s are particularly popular, he notes.
Amazing finds
You would think that it would rule out worn parts right away, but no. He rejects an acrylic sweater that has too many stains, but takes, before our incredulous gaze, a pair of very baggy denim shorts that have small holes and a few stains. “I think it’s really going to be popular!” For something unique like this, the condition doesn’t matter. I’ll post pictures to show the holes and stains, but it’s so unique I can’t leave it there. »
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Paul-Hugo Deslauriers resold this sweater for $73 (including delivery costs) about a week after putting it online. He made a net profit of $39.18.
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Orage fleece jacket in perfect condition, which Paul-Hugo Deslauriers listed for $50 on Depop
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
Wide denim shorts which, despite small holes and a few stains, will be very popular, according to Paul-Hugo Deslauriers
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PHOTO MARCO CAMPANOZZI, THE PRESS
A sweater probably from the San Blas Islands in the Caribbean appealed to the young fashion enthusiast.
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He also puts in his basket a brown leather coat in rather good condition, a souvenir t-shirt from the San Blas Islands in the Caribbean, a wool sweater (which he will sell for $73, delivery costs included, in barely three days), a pair of shoes and a pair of boots, finds that he describes as “incredible”. His bill? $29.47
Among Paul-Hugo Deslauriers’ greatest finds since he started this activity is a Canada Goose coat from the 2000s that he wore one winter and which he has just put on sale for $650!
“That doesn’t mean I’m going to sell it for that price. On apps, a sale of $650 takes longer. But it’s going to be a big one flip. » How much did he pay for it? Around $10, he estimates.
“I also found two coats from Elvis Presley’s last tour in 1977. Both in perfect condition. I sold one for $200 USD, the other one I still have. It’s still a hard sell, it’s really niche. These are collector’s items. Rock band t-shirts from the 1980s, if they are authentic, can quickly go for $1000. No matter their condition. »
Back home, he will wash, measure and photograph all the items before adding them to his online platforms. Pieces that you often wouldn’t have believed had such value.