‘I do it for free’: How a bee inspired a B.C. thrift store owner to give back

“I like to be able to help”: Adam finds out the story behind a B.C. thrift store buzzing with surprises.

This is a story about a thrift store that’s buzzing with at least five surprises.

First, despite its owner Barb Decoteau displaying a collection of dozens of decorative bees behind the front counter, she’s allergic to the insects.

Second, despite this being a retail business, none of the bees are for sale.

“They’ve been given to me,” Barb laughs. “Because it’s a bee!”

Before she reveals why she’s received more than 200 bee-inspired gifts from her customers, Barb explains the third surprise—the store’s bee theme was inspired by what happened at her mother-in-law’s funeral.

“There was a bee [flying around the house] and we just kind of shooed it out [the front door],” Barb says. “And it went around the house and came in the back door.”

And this happened so many times, with the bee flying right up to each family member every time, that everyone agreed it felt like more than an ordinary bee.

“And now all the kids and grandkids, if they see a bee, they say, ‘That’s Grandma D!,” Barb smiles.

So, Barb named her thrift store “Thrifty Bees,” in honour of her mother-in-law, who she describes as thrifty out of necessity from raising five children, but always “big-hearted and generous.”

But then—as if on cue—surprise number four.

Our conversation is interrupted by an actual bee.

“That’s spooky as we were just talking about this,” Barb points to the bee buzzing around the ceiling as I attempt to capture it with my camera. “She wants to be part of the story!”

Or perhaps she wants to remind her daughter-in-law to not be so humble and mention surprise number five—that since opening the store more than 20 years ago, Barb has never received a pay cheque for it.

“I do it for free,” Barb admits before laughing. “But it’s not free to do!”

Barb says she’s spent countless hours offering affordable goods to seniors struggling to make ends meet, woman fleeing abusive relationships, and all sorts of other people just one missed pay cheque away from being homeless. She adds that she regularly supports the local community kitchen and a couple homeless shelters too.

“I like to be able to help,” Barb says, adding she also gives away merchandise for free to people in desperate situations.

Often Barb’s customers return to offer thanks by gifting her some sort of bee-related item. Barb says she received more than 200 decorative bee items, and none of them will ever be sold.

“I love coming to work,” Barb smiles. “It’s a good day every day.”

And—no surprise—on the days Grandma D buzzes by for a visit, it’s even better.