Fripe-Prix Renaissance

It was extremely crowded and hard to maneuver on a weekday out of all days. Didn’t really find anything of my style, they did have some designer things in stock, and the store people were nice.

I heard a rumor that different Fripe-​Prix Renaissance locations receives their goods from areas very close to them and that the one on Wellington Avenue in Verdun gets a lot of their goods from things are are dropped off in Westmount.
I can believe it.
Here’s a quick list of cool, vintage and even designer items I have found at this Fripe-​Prix Renaissance.
Le Creuset Enameled Dutch Oven, new, brown, unused with the sticker still on it.
Retail price: $ 250
FPR price: $ 5
Le Creuset enameled cast iron frying pan, white, in near mint condition
Retail price: $ 150
FPR price: $ 5
Azzedine Alaia sweater, navy blue, slightly used, no holes, no stains, Made in Italy, 100% wool
Retail Price: $ 2000+
FPR price: $ 7
1960s/​70s era Chrome General Electric, round tea kettle
On ebay: $ 100
FPR price: $ 7
I have also found Italian Merino wool sweaters for $ 7, large heavy, metal decorative mirror in sunburst design $ 12, ceramic clay plant pots for 50 cents, 1970’s Viking Blender for $ 7 with metal machine parts, not the stupid breakable plastic kind they have nowadays, home yogurt making machine, Depression-​era glass goblets in ruby or cobalt blue, Calvin Klein and Banana Republic hoodies, giant snap-​top jars for keeping dried foodstuffs for $ 1, complete book series of Harry Potter and A Song of Ice and Fire (Game of Thrones), foldable IKEA garden table $ 5 and a whole slew of other stuff. You get the idea.
Mind you I didn’t just stop in here once or twice and happen to get all this cool stuff. I walk by this place practically everyday on my way to the metro so I usually get in a chance to duck in and have a quick look around. That and having a trained eye towards quality goods will eventually land you something if you’re persistent enough.
I really dislike the disposable, throw-​away aspect of our culture and there really is truth that one person’s junk can be another person’s treasure. Plus Fripe-​Prix Renaissance’s mission is about helping persons who are usually disadvantaged get some skills and build up the confidence to stand on their own. Shopping here is just a win-​win situation for everybody.