Interview with Yasmin Tang, Manager of Houndstooth Secondhand Boutique (Mains St.) and Treasure Cottage (Steveston

Please share a bit about your journey that led you to your current career. Looking back, were there any signs when you were young that you would be working in fashion industry in this way?

Growing up in China, I had a deep love for fashion from a young age. I would draw fashion sketches, subscribe to monthly Western fashion magazines, and immerse myself in the world of high-end brands and renowned designers. I even had a hobby of designing clothing, sourcing fabrics from the market and bringing my designs to life through a local tailor, making pieces for myself, my family, and my friends.

Despite that early passion, my career didn't start in fashion. I pursued international trade and business, though I always dreamed of one day opening my own little boutique. That dream never quite materialized while I was still in China.

My real entry into the fashion industry came after I immigrated to Canada. My business degree wasn't recognized here, so I went back to BCIT to earn my business diploma and landed my first job as a salesperson at Esprit in Pacific Centre. It felt like planting a seed. From there, I put down roots in retail, spending 15 years at Mark's and working my way up to assistant manager.

Eventually, I grew restless with the routine of a corporate chain environment. So, while working full-time at Mark's and raising two young daughters with my husband, who had also immigrated from Germany, I enrolled in a one-year evening program at VCC to earn my Fashion Merchandising Certificate. Through that program, I discovered that Aunt Leah's Place, a local charity thrift shop, was looking for a weekly window display volunteer. I jumped at the opportunity and, over time, grew into a highly creative visual decorator.

I eventually left Mark's and joined Harry Rosen, a prestigious men's high-fashion retailer, as a Visual Merchandise Associate. While the work involved presenting well-known luxury brands, I found the culture difficult: intensely competitive, with money as the primary motivator rather than genuine relationships. Then, by coincidence, the store manager from Aunt Leah's Place happened to be shopping at Harry Rosen one day. We got to talk, and she mentioned they were looking for someone to manage their donation warehouse and serve as assistant store manager. Something clicked. I realized this was a meaningful opportunity to contribute my skills to a charity rooted in sustainable business and supporting youth aging out of care. I took the role and stayed for five rewarding years.

Then the Broadway SkyTrain construction threatened the future of that little store in the historic Lee Building; it was either shut down or relocated. I found myself looking for a new chapter, which led me to SideBySide Children's Village Society, an organization running two thrift stores in Steveston and Kerrisdale. When COVID forced the Kerrisdale location to close, I focused on managing the Steveston store on my own for two years. Secondur board decided to open a second Vancouver location, I took the initiative, writing proposals, scouting sites, planning budgets, designing the store layout, and sourcing secondhand fixtures to craft the final look. I named the new store Houndstooth, a name that felt right for something classic and timeless.

My window displays have always drawn strong responses. They've become something of a must-see in Steveston Village, and people regularly stop to ask, "What's your next theme going to be?" That kind of connection with the community means a great deal to me. And on a practical note, the pieces featured in those displays consistently sold faster for it.

How did you learn your skills? 

My skills are largely self-taught, though the VCC Fashion Merchandising Certificate program was instrumental in shaping my career toward fashion management and visual presentation.

What skills are crucial for someone in retail management? What would a typical day be like?

The most important skills are patience, empowering your team, being people-person, prioritizing tasks, adapting to change, creative marketing, trend forecasting, inventory control, and pricing strategy.

As for a typical day, it starts with a cappuccino from my Jura machine at home. Then it's either a 50-minute drive to Steveston or 5 minutes to Main Street, with CBC Radio on the way. Good news puts me in a good mood; bad news makes me worry. But the moment I step into the store, everything else fades and my brain switches into operation mode.

I walk the floor, take notes, and write my to-do list for the day. Half of it might not get done, but having a list to follow is important. A visual check and inventory check are essential first thing in the morning, and setting clear expectations with the team is even more so.

Throughout the day it's donations: sorting, pricing, and finding the right place to display everything while maintaining visual standards. I also cover the cash register during volunteer lunch breaks and always take the opportunity to tell customers about our organization's mission. Occasionally someone will complain about a price or bring up something unexpected, and I just stay calm, listen, and gently educate where I can. Most of the time, though, the customer interactions are the best part of the day.

One thing that keeps the job interesting is that thrift stores receive hundreds of unfamiliar items. We Google everything, and sometimes the results are shocking. I might price a vase at $5, only to discover it's a $300 antique online.

At the end of the day, I feel a deep appreciation for what our staff and volunteers do. The work feels genuinely meaningful.

What do you find comes easiest for you as a store manager? What do you find most challenging?

What comes most naturally to me is visual display. I have a strong eye for fashion and style, and combined with my patience and organizational skills, I'm able to lead the team in transforming the daily flood of incoming donations into beautifully themed presentations on the floor. That process is one of the hardest things to manage in any thrift store, and it's where I feel most in my element.

The most challenging aspect of managing a smaller thrift store is the unpredictability. No two days look the same, and without a warehouse or dedicated storage space, things can get overwhelming very quickly. One truckload of donations can change the entire course of the day. That's something a chain store like Value Village simply doesn't have to contend with in the same way.

Can you talk a bit about the donation aspect of both stores. Who donates, what kinds of items are you looking for, and how to you get the word out to possible new donors?

Over the years, researching and pricing donations has given me a deep knowledge of the history and culture behind the items people bring in. The more I learn, the more I respect each piece and the person who donated it. That's why I always tell my team to display everything thoughtfully, to let each item shine rather than just filling an empty spot on a shelf.

That mindset also extends to how we treat donors. We make a point of genuinely thanking everyone who walks through the door with a donation, and it makes a difference. Our local community has become a reliable and loyal source of daily donations because people trust us and often choose to bring their best items to us first. Beyond individual donors, we also receive contributions from consignment stores offloading off-season or unsold inventory, and our board maintains connections that bring in estate donations. In fact, we once received a collection worth over a million dollars from a single estate.

In terms of what we're looking for, we welcome lightly used clothing, shoes, purses, accessories, jewelry, home décor, and houseware. If someone wanted to donate a house, we wouldn't say no. We find a home for nearly everything, and what can't be sold gets recycled.  

To reach new donors, we currently use our website, social media, in-store signage, word of mouth through our team, and conversations with customers on the floor. That said, there are more channels we'd love to explore, including media, local publishers, and influencers. Which is part of why I'm here today!

Can you share a little bit about the two thrift stores you manage? Is the approach to both the same or do they have a different focus?

The two stores are quite different in their approach and character.

Treasure Cottage, our Steveston location, has been part of the community for over three decades. Steveston is a vibrant tourist destination, and the store has grown deeply rooted there, serving locals with affordable secondhand clothing, houseware, and accessories. It's a stable, community-driven operation with a loyal following built over many years.

Houndstooth Secondhand, our Main Street location, is a completely different concept. After closing our Kerrisdale store during COVID following 14 years of operation, we wanted to re-establish a presence in Vancouver. In November 2023, we opened Houndstooth on 4166 Main Street, right in the middle of an emerging and trendy thrifting hub. The store is curated with intention. We receive an incredible range of high-end donations, Gucci, Prada, Tiffany and more, and we select the finest pieces to be displayed with strong visual impact. Customers have compared the experience to walking through an art museum.

                                                    

We also introduced a  DIY consignment component to Houndstooth, giving local upcycle artists and jewelry makers a platform to sell their work. So far, that program has generated over $7,000 in sales, and it's become a meaningful part of what makes the store unique.

  
What are some of the cool items customers will find when visiting your stores?

The most jaw-dropping discovery was a Wayne Gretzky signed hockey card found by a teenage boy at Treasure Cottage a few years ago. He auctioned it for $34,000. We hadn't caught it during our pricing check, but that's exactly what drives the excitement of thrifting: the thrill of finding a treasure.

We've also sold museum-grade artifacts, including paintings signed by members of the Canadian Group of Seven and rare marked vases. One moment that really stayed with me was when a customer brought a porcelain piece to the cash register and quietly double-checked that it was priced at $8. Something about the way he asked made us pause, but the transaction was already done. Afterward, he told us it was a rare Japanese vase by a celebrated artist, and that he had been searching for that exact piece for four years. He was nearly in tears. So were we.

Lastly, can you share a little bit about the work of SideBySide Children’s Village Society, the organization that runs these stores?

Most of the details about our work can be found on our website at www.sbsbc.org/.

SideBySide Children’s Village previous known as SOS Children’s Village, BC which was affiliated with SOS Childre’s Village Canada over 40 years. Since last year we have terminated the affiliation and rebranded as a fully independent organization focusing on supporting the vulnerable children and youth at risk in lower mainland.

At its heart, the thrift stores are the front window to present its mission, to connect with people and the broader community, to raise awareness about the work we do, and to get support.

Anything else you’d like to share in closing?

I truly believe that events are one of the most powerful marketing tools any business can use. Beyond the discount sales that are a staple of retail, I'm passionate about hosting experiences that bring people into our stores in a more meaningful way. We've invited musicians to perform out front, hosted upcycle fashion shows inside the store featuring our own volunteers and customers, and participated in beloved local events like Sip and Shop, Ladies Night Out, Car Free Day, the July 1st Salmon Festival, and Mount Pleasant Day Festival. These moments give our stores and our organization real visibility in the community.

On the topic of thrift shopping, my feelings run deep. Fast fashion is a reality we can't ignore, but through recycling, refurbishing, and reuse, we can slow its demand and make a meaningful contribution to addressing climate change. At the same time, I have enormous respect for the creativity and artistry of designers. Our stores offer customers the chance to discover and own a designer piece at a fraction of the price and walk away genuinely happy. Honestly, our team gets just as excited as the customers when we unearth something special from the donation piles.

Links -

• Website Page for Houndstooth - www.sbsbc.org/vancouver-thrift-store/
• Website Page for Treasure Cottage - www.sbsbc.org/steveston-thrift-store/
• Facebook Houndstooth - www.facebook.com/profile.php
• Facebook Treasure Cottage - www.facebook.com/profile.php
• Instagram Houndstooth -@houndstooth_secondhandboutique
• Instagram Treasure Cottage - @treasurecottagethriftstore
• SideBySide Children’s Village Society -  www.sbsbc.org/