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Nanaimo thrift shop owner blames downtown disorder for shutting down
NANAIMO — A popular local thrift store is closing up shop permanently in May with the owner saying fear of downtown area social unrest has driven their customers away.
Madeline Crane has owned and operated the Friends of Haven Thrift Shop on Albert St. for the last six years but has worked there for over 16.
Despite backing from loyal customers and donors, Crane said their neighbourhood has deteriorated sharply, causing a “substantial” drop in business.
“We’re not able to pay the bills anymore. We tried lots of different things… to get business, but unfortunately, we hear a lot of people don’t want to come downtown anymore. A lot of people don’t feel safe coming down here, and we fully understand that, and that’s nothing that we have any control over whatsoever.”