Renewed Hope to hold Grand Opening for Thrift Cafe in Downtown Bolton

By Riley Murphy

Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

For the past several months, Tim, Margarida and their team of volunteers with Renewed Hope have been hard at work bringing their new home to Downtown Bolton.

On April 11 at 10:30 a.m., they're excited to welcome the community to the grand opening of their brand-new space at 55 Queen St. N, Bolton.

Renewed Hope is a registered non-profit that has been serving communities for over two decades, and they recently brought their efforts to Caledon in October through their Mobile Mercy Units (MMUs).

Their team has been out in the Caledon community, bringing warm clothes and food, but they wanted to bring something a little more permanent.

Enter Renewed Hope's new headquarters.

More than just an office, they're bringing a thrift cafe to the Downtown Bolton core.

Tim says they wanted to create something more interactive for the community, a space for people to connect.

“If they're having a downer day, you're going to come here, you're going to have an upper day,” says Tim. “It's part of who we are, you need to leave better than you came, and whatever needs to be done to make that happen, we'll be happy to help facilitate. Sometimes it's just a kind word or a friendly voice.”

For more than two years, Margarida has envisioned operating a thrift cafe, somewhere warm for the community to come together.

Now they're bringing it to life, with so much more.

Renewed Hope says the space is designed to be a place where people from all walks of life can gather to enjoy a thrifting experience, try their handcrafted coffee, or savour their freshly made treats.

In a collaboration with Caledon's Cordoba Coffee, Renewed Hope has partnered with them to create a handcrafted coffee blend unique to them.

In the summer, they aim to bring out patio furniture for the community to enjoy as well.

“I think one of the biggest comments we keep hearing from everyone is that Bolton needs this,” says Tim.

He adds a large part of their mission ties back to their name, Renewed Hope.

“It was something that was hinging on what was necessary, that people needed their hope renewed,” says Tim. 

He says something as simple as a coffee or a smile to something more extensive, such as counselling, they're seeking ways to renew people's hope.

At their new location, there will also be a counselling office, located for entry on the Mill Street side of their building.

Here, Renewed Hope brings in Dr. Vidoll Regisford, a psychotherapy and counselling practitioner who has a background in clinical and leadership roles.

He will be available in that section of their headquarters for counselling and psychotherapy services to those in need.

“It's who we are. It's been burning in us, and to see our vision happen like this, it's a big deal,” says Margarida.

“There's a lot of places that are big businesses, big corporations, big paychecks, but…we want to touch the hearts of people,” adds Tim. “What do we want people to leave with? We want them to leave with a renewed hope.”

The Renewed Hope Thrift and Cafe is entirely volunteer-driven, and it has been since the very beginning.

Looking around the new space, one will notice bits and pieces donated from the Caledon community itself.

The piano that stands tall against one of the walls was donated by Bolton Community Crew's Sarah Lesie.

This three-decade family heirloom was renewed by Margarida for the Renewed Hope space, and now all who come through the doors can enjoy it.

They share that nearly half of their furnishings and decor have been donated by members across the Caledon community.

The clothes that hang on their newly built racks have been thoughtfully hung by a crew of volunteers who come in on weekends to organize the space.

As a fully registered non-profit charity, the thrift cafe will direct 75 per cent of all profits to local community initiatives.

At Renewed Hope, they will also be offering pastoral care and counselling.

Their team of advocates and official clergy will be available to assist with weddings, funerals, and spiritual guidance, the Renewed Hope team says.

With this change, they're also revamping their website, featuring an interactive shopping cart where gifts can be purchased that directly support individuals and families experiencing hardship.

Their new headquarters does not mark the end of their MMUs; they will continue to aid areas affected by social issues or by destructive events.

Through these MMUs, individuals can access free clothing, shoes, and essential items.

They also act as mobile food pantries when needed.

But that's not all at their new location – a community food pantry will be launching soon, says the Renewed Hope team.

At their official grand opening, they will accept donations of clean, gently used or new clothing, as well as household items and decor.

Although they already have a team of volunteers working behind the scenes, they add that they are always looking for more, as volunteers play a vital part in their mission.

Opportunities for volunteering include assisting at the thrift cafe, sorting donations, making deliveries, participating in community outreach, and more.

To learn more, or participate, visit renewedhope.org.