First-ever neurodivergent thrift store comes to Toronto

A new thrift store pop-up is happening in Toronto and it is something the city has never seen before. Thriftism is a collection of LGBTQ+ and Neurodiverse vendors that have created an inclusive space for Toronto thrifters.

Jaiden Dalbello, owner of Back at You Vintage, has been an online seller for years, but going into the new year, she decided she wanted to work towards making it a full-time gig.

“My 2024 New Year’s resolution was to never work in the service industry again and to figure out another way to make income,” says Dalbello.

“This was like the New Year’s baby.”

Dalbello says that the idea for the pop-up came from her own experience as a thrifter.

“I was diagnosed with autism and ADHD when I was 21 years old and I found that a lot of leftist spaces are not disability friendly yet,” says Dalbello.

“As someone who is also Queer I have definitely felt unsafe in Queer leftist spaces, or alternative leftist spaces that I frequent as an artist.”

Dalbello originally started using social media as a way to advocate for disabilities.

“I have a TikTok where I do advocacy for mental health, specifically for autism and ADHD,” says Dalbello.

Dalbello says that her work on TikTok has been a way for her to connect with other vendors who share similar experiences.

“I have met people internationally and it has created this domino effect of many different little opportunities and friendships,” says Dalbello.

“So this is kind of the amalgamation of people I have met on TikTok”

Livia Baupre, a Neurodivergent Depop seller known online as littleliviasbrain, says she was excited to be a part of the pop-up when Dalbello reached out.

“It was a really fun process to get together with Jaiden and my other friends to create this really nice and welcoming space,” says Baupre.

“It really came together and It was a quick process, like we only started planning at the beginning of December.”

Thriftism has a unique curated selection of goods from household items to accessories and clothing.

Baupre says that each of the pieces picked by vendors will often reflect their individual style.

“I think each of us has our own aesthetic and vibe,” says Baupre.

“We just go thrifting and pick out pieces that we like but don’t fit us, and we will sell them.”

Dalbello says that the response from thrifters has been positive, especially when it comes to pricing.

“I am really happy with the prices we have here because there is a lot of discrepancy with reselling and Value Village right now, and I would say it’s well earned,” says Dalbello.

The pop-up is taking a unique approach to thrifting with a $10-fill-a-bag bucket, where thrifters can pick as many items from the bucket to fill their bags for a ten-dollar fee.

Thriftism plans to make a return to Toronto this summer for another pop-up event.

“I know we will hopefully be doing more events at cafes this summer, says Baupre.

“Jaiden also wants to do some in New York and I will do some out west.”

For thrifters who are not able to make it to the pop-up, curated pieces from the event can be found online.

Vendors featured on the Thriftism TikTok page each have links to their individual online stores.

“There are lots of places you can still shop us in between events,” says Baupre.

“All of us have either shipping and pick-up situations or in-store shops.”

Thriftism runs from the last week of January until mid-February on the third floor of 134 Ossington Ave. between noon and 6 p.m.