By Sarah Finley, ODA Treasurer
Walking down LaSalle Street in downtown Ottawa, it’s hard to miss Ottawa Community Thrift.
Grateful Dead bears and colorful tapestries in the windows offer a hint of what’s waiting inside. Step through the door at 1022 LaSalle Street, and you’ll find graphic tees, vinyl records, movies, crystals, jewelry, unique home décor, collectibles, and plenty of things you probably didn’t know you needed until you spotted them.
You’ll also likely be greeted by owner Leslie Mulderink.
Spend a little time in the store, and you’ll quickly realize Ottawa Community Thrift isn’t your run-of-the-mill thrift shop. Leslie knows many of her regular customers by name—and often knows exactly what they like to look for. People stop in to browse and chat, drop off donations, or see what new treasures have found their way onto the shelves.
And when someone in the community needs a little help, Leslie has been known to put out the call. Maybe it’s someone looking for dress shoes or clothing for a job interview. Leslie shares the need, and more often than not, Ottawa answers.
“Well, this community is amazing, and they’re the reason why this even started,” Leslie said.
From Flea Markets to LaSalle Street
In some ways, Leslie has been preparing to own a place like Ottawa Community Thrift for most of her life.
Her parents were “pickers,” and she grew up in the flea market scene, developing an appreciation for finding value in things others might overlook.
“It’s really kind of in my blood,” she said.
Leslie eventually went to college, earned a business degree and entered what she calls the “corporate scene.” But the path that eventually brought her to Ottawa Community Thrift was anything but a straight line.
Having experienced difficult seasons of her own, Leslie knows firsthand what it means to have people and organizations show up when you need them. Those experiences helped shape her desire to do the same for others and eventually led her to work for The Salvation Army.
Then came another turning point.
Leslie survived a head-on collision that nearly took her life. After recovering and returning to work, she realized her perspective—and what she wanted from her life—had changed.
“I just knew that I was meant to do something different,” she said.
When the COVID-19 pandemic temporarily closed the Salvation Army location where she was working, Leslie found herself at another crossroads.
This time, she decided to build something of her own.
And as Leslie puts it, Ottawa Community Thrift became a way to combine two things that have followed her throughout her life:
“It helps combine my love for ‘junk’ and my love for people.”
Follow Ottawa Community Thrift on social media, then head down to 1022 LaSalle Street, say hi to Leslie, and take a look around. You never know what you’ll find, and that’s kind of the point.
