In late August a friend and I went to Drayton for a yard sale. The day was young and I’d found what I was looking for, browsed a bit and paid, then we set off. We had the morning to ourselves. Amanda said her day was free so we wandered around the community a bit, checked out the local flower shop and then decided on St. Jacobs as our next destination.
After a cup of tea and visit in the coffee shop, we headed into the silos and found an amazing place called Gina’s Closet.
Bridal gowns lined the walls, beautiful, exquisite designs. And a most helpful woman named Patricia gave us the history of this business.
 

We learned that a group of women had founded this business in memory of their friend who had died of cancer. Wanting to do something in her honour, they founded Gina’s closet, modelled after a similar project begun in Toronto.
They take in dresses for the bride, mother of the bride, and prom dresses, a step beyond the Toronto project. Brides-to-be can come in, try on dresses, and the money they pay for the dress goes to the charity selected by the donor. The shop is run by volunteers like Patricia who believe in the project and want to see it succeed.

Gina’s Closet is working to beat cancer. Our proceeds are directed to the Grand River Regional Cancer Centre, Lisaard House, Hospice of Waterloo Region, Terry Fox Foundation and Cambridge Memorial Hospital (Breast Reconstruction Dept.) as well as Hopespring Cancer Support Centre.

 

This shop is eclectic in its offerings and a comfortable space for a bride-to-be to honour her budget, get a beautiful dress for her special day.
After a varied conversation with Patricia, we headed off to look around the town. As we left a young couple came with a wedding dress in hand, perhaps to donate to the cause?
See the website and find Gina’s Closet on Facebook
Know of  a bride needing a dress, pass on the news. Have a gown you don’t want to store? Here’s a place that makes a difference.