Family-owned vintage store pleads for solutions following chronic thefts

The owner of a family-run vintage store with locations in Nanaimo, Burnaby and Vancouver is speaking out about repeated thefts.

The owner of a family-run vintage store that has locations throughout the Lower Mainland is pleading for support following a recent theft.

Tricia Hill, the owner of Stoxx Thrift and Vintage, said the small business is struggling to cope with regular shoplifting at all three of the store’s locations.

On Wednesday, Hill said, a man entered the store in Burnaby’s Metrotown mall, only to return shortly after.

Captured on the store’s security camera, the man can be seen speaking with an employee, who went to grab something at the back of the store.

That’s when the individual grabbed a jacket worth $300 and slowly walked out of the business.

Hill said mall security was called, but the man wasn’t apprehended.

“(He had) that kind of brazen attitude to just come in and pick up something like if it was left here for you, and then just walk out with it without any care,” she said.

Burnaby RCMP told CTV News they are actively investigating the theft at Stoxx, but didn’t have more details.

Hill said the thefts have become a biweekly occurrence.

No matter how many security measures she implements at the shores, nothing seems to be a deterrent.

She said it’s disheartening for the family-owned business.

The pre-loved clothes at Stoxx are washed and repaired before hitting the shelves.

“There’s a whole lot of work that goes into it,” she said. “And it’s disappointing when it’s not appreciated in this way.”

Stoxx has stores in Nanaimo, Burnaby and Vancouver.

Last year, Hill said the Kingsgate Mall location lost $12,000 due to theft.

“I just feel that people who are stealing, if they know there’s no repercussions, how do we cure this?” she said. “How do we stop this?”

Hill isn’t alone. She’s one of many businesses in Metro Vancouver facing the same problem.

• Read more: Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim launches retail security task force

Stephen Kim, the business development manager at Bicycle Sports Pacific in Downtown Vancouver, said the store is interacting with people daily who are trying to steal locks and bicycles.

“It’s getting very frustrating,” he said.

In April, Vancouver city council launched a retail task force to address the root causes of these kinds of thefts, while identifying solutions.