Trying to save my 36-year BC reuse & preservation business after losing my wife

For 36 years I’ve been rescuing, restoring, and reusing antiques, collectibles, film props, and household items across BC—keeping countless tons out of the landfill and helping preserve pieces of our shared history. My small business has always been built on the idea that everything deserves a second life.

A month ago, my wife passed away unexpectedly. It shattered me emotionally, financially, and operationally. I have been trying to keep things going alone, but after her loss my workload and expenses spiraled beyond what I can manage. For the first time in decades, my business—the thing I built my entire life around—is at risk of disappearing.

I currently manage over 6,200 active listings, supply props for film and TV productions, and hold a deeply curated inventory built over decades. I’ve saved more than a million unique items from landfill. This business is not only my livelihood—it is my contribution to BC’s cultural and environmental preservation.

But right now, I am falling behind on rent, utilities, and core operating costs, and if I lose my workspace or inventory, everything collapses.

I am humbly asking for support to stabilize things so I can keep this lifelong mission alive.

What the funds will help with:

• Emergency rent and utilities

• Warehouse and workspace costs

• Transportation for pickups and deliveries

• Keeping inventory safe and accessible

• Breathing room to grieve and rebuild

• Restarting operations with my son, who will eventually take over

Every contribution—large or small—gives me the chance to keep this 36-year BC treasure alive and prevent the loss of irreplaceable items preserved for decades.

If you’ve taken a moment to read this, thank you. It means more than I can express right now.