More Than A Fad + Adeara
CLOTHING FROM MORE THAN A FAD | PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIRSTEN BRITTA PHOTOGRAPHY | MODELLED BY AMBER APPAH AND SASHA OMELTCHENKO
MORE THAN A THRIFT STORE
It's more than just your regular one stop shop - More Than A Fad is a local all-in-one thrift store where you can find gems from vintage clothing, to table sets, to original vinyl records. Power-housed by a team of 5, the store is facing it's third full month up and running, and just celebrated their official grand opening earlier this month! But what not everyone knows about More Than a Fad (MTAF), is its connection and dedication to doing more, as the thrift store is also connected to local women's recovery centre, Adeara.
We spoke with Head Manager Charlene from More Than A Fad and Executive Director Lori Patrick from Adeara Recovery Centre to shed light on how this beautiful match made in heaven came to be.
ADEARA MEETS MORE THAN A FAD
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIRSTEN BRITTA PHOTOGRAPHY
You may have originally known the store as Treats n' Treasures, prior to June 2020. There had always been cordial connections between Treats n’ Treasures and Adera, but that relationship drastically deepened earlier this year, when Adeara was approached to continue the legacy of Treats n' Treasures. Originally owned by Shepherd's Care Foundation, a faith based non-profit providing care for accommodations for seniors, the beloved thrift store was in need of someone to keep the vision going. Fast forward to early March, a week before COVID-19 heavily hit Edmonton, Lori pitched the idea to Charlene of possibly partnering for a thrift store. With a spontaneous trip to Calgary to gain inspiration from other non-profit thrift stores, the operation was under way. Coincidentally, one of Adeara's support workers had been selling clothing from her own closet to raise money for the centre using the alias 'More Than A Fad'. Inspired by its origins, the name came to be, and More Than A Fad was officially born.
With a soft opening after the 2020 May long weekend, and an official grand opening earlier this month, More Than A Fad is open and on its way!
ABOUT ADEARA RECOVERY CENTRE
"The mission of Adeara is to change the community through changed lives." - Lori Patrick, Executive Director, Adeara Recovery Centre.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIRSTEN BRITTA PHOTOGRAPHY
Adeara is a long term, faith-based recovery centre from addictions for women, and is one of the only centres in Edmonton that supports both mothers and their children. Their approach is based on a bio-psycho-social-spiritual model of addiction, addressing the need to deal with all aspects of life to move forward. From nutrition, to fitness, to individual and group counselling, members are psycho-educated on addiction, how it affects them, and guidelines that can help them recognize developed patterns.
Living in an apartment building altogether in individual suites, the program encourages socialization and community, with members coming together for group classes, evening services and early morning devotions. With 90% of the residents being mothers with children, the program provides opportunity for the cycle of addiction to be broken between generations, and to halt the trickle down effects. Adeara places a strong emphasis on rehabilitation over imprisonment, encouraging healing for victims of addiction, rather than facing them with incarceration.
The program is also meant to bring structure, boundaries and routines to the member's everyday lives. At their own pace, members have the opportunity to seek more community, and volunteer at the MTAF thrift store a few hours a week, getting them prepared and re-accustomed to the workforce.
Ways you can support Adeara:
Donate: https://adeara.ca/ways-to-give/donate/
Wishlist: https://adeara.ca/ways-to-give/wish-list/
Volunteer: https://adeara.ca/ways-to-give/volunteer/
Other Ways to Give: https://adeara.ca/ways-to-give/other-ways-to-give/
Stay Connected with Adeara on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
ABOUT MORE THAN A FAD
"I love the people, the volunteers, the opportunities, and the potential for growth. I'm excited to see where it all goes, and the potential it holds for the women of Adeara." - Charlene Nanninga, Head Manager, More Than A Fad.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KIRSTEN BRITTA PHOTOGRAPHY
More Than A Fad was created to directly support and contribute to Adeara. All the profits go directly to the centre by a 90% volunteer-run team. While it can hard to volunteer with Adera due to the nature of the work, More Than A Fad is always accepting volunteers to help in the shop and on the floor.
Just off 75th street and Argyle Road, one of the long-term aspirations for More Than a Fad is to open an additional location somewhere closer, and more accessible to those with the greatest needs. The shop is currently working with Adeara to explore more ways on how to help both inner-city women and children develop the skills and job based training they need. With a 'Retail Readiness' program in talks, the shop is continually brainstorming ways to give back, and equip members of the program and community with the skills and nuances they need to succeed in the job market.
Ways you can support MTAF:
Donate: https://morethanafad.ca/pages/donate
Volunteer: https://morethanafad.ca/pages/volunteer
Be a Supporter: https://www.canadahelps.org/en/dn/m/50141/donation
Shop: https://morethanafad.ca/collections/recently-added-online-thrift-store-items
Stay Connected with MTAF on Facebook and Instagram, or visit their physical location at 6924 68 Ave NW, Edmonton, AB T6B 3C5.
The store has a vast selection of cool vintage pieces like wool coats, fur-lined vests and more. Crawling with great finds, the store not only features both retro and modern fashion, but local guest vendors for events and promotions. The fashion for this photoshoot, including props and accessories were borrowed from More Than A Fad itself! The shoot takes a look at the dynamic styles and pairings possible with these timeless, classic pieces from the store. Be sure to check out part one and part two of the remaining photos in our gallery.
*Photography by Kirsten Britta Photography
Hey there, it’s Donnalee - Editor-in-Chief, Founder & Creative Director of The Issue Magazine, the digital fashion magazine in Alberta. Over the past few years, I’ve had the chance to meet and work with so many talented and ambitious entrepreneurs - because of this, I’ve come to love meeting new people and sharing their stories. I hope you’ll join in on this adventure because you’re just as passionate about this as we are - or curious at the least!
