More Than a Shop

Supporting the RWB for over 75 years

The Volunteer Committee for the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, which owns and operates THINGS consignment boutique, is a volunteer, non-profit organization that has been serving the community by fundraising to support the RWB for over 75 years.  Over that time, it has donated more than $1 million, and today it is proud to have increased its annual RWB donation to more than $100,000.00.

‍In addition to supporting the arts, the organization supports the environment by providing a venue for people to resell or donate higher-quality home décor items, rather than have them go to the landfill.

Today, the organization has two main sources of revenue.  The major source is from the THINGS boutique at 913 Corydon Ave.  The second source is from the gift boutique's operation at the RWB mainstage performances, where it is located in the main lobby of The Centennial Concert Hall. 

Then

Looking back, the organization has a long history, dating back to the late summer of 1949.  The RWB (then, about 10 years old) formed a Women’s Committee as part of its board of directors.  Its original role included fundraising through events such as a bazaar in 1949, the 1952 opening night of the film “The Tales of Hoffman” at the Uptown Theatre, an art auction in 1965, many fashion shows, an annual garage sale, and publishing and selling cookbooks, to name but a few.  It also organized activities like a series of ballet lectures and dance demonstrations in schools in 1964, commissioned at least two ballets, and gave public tours of the RWB studios. 

The Women’s Committee set up its first consignment boutique on Wolseley Ave in 1967.  Just 15 months later, it moved to Grosvenor Ave., where it remained until 2007, when it moved again to the present location at 913 Corydon Ave.  This location became too small to accommodate its expanding inventory, so in 2021 it expanded to include the adjoining premises at 911 Corydon Ave, doubling the shop's size.  This was a courageous move, taken at a time of widespread business shutdowns due to the pandemic.  In 2018, the Women’s Committee changed its name to the Volunteer Committee in recognition of changing times and a shifting volunteer base.

And now

Today, the Volunteer Committee and THINGS are looking ahead.  With the expansion have come new categories of consignments, donations, and volunteer opportunities. It has re-branded to reflect its expanding inventory and social media presence.  As a result of this success and its growing donations to the RWB, it is looking to the future with confidence and optimism.

The Volunteer Committee is seeking new volunteers and offers an amazing range of interesting opportunities. These include working in the boutique and/or at RWB performances, managing social media, assisting with finance, and pricing consigned and donated items. You can contact the volunteer committee at volunteercommitteefortherwb@gmail.com.

Please drop in. We look forward to meeting you.