North Bay liquidation store aims to bring treasure hunts to discount shopping
The co-owners of a new liquidation store in North Bay, Samuel Quesnel and Chloé Boivenue, say they want to bring a treasure hunt shopping experience to the city.
“Oh yeah we’re so excited,” said Quesnel, about the Friday opening of Bin City Liquidation.
“We’ve been waiting for so long … The day to show up is tomorrow.”
The couple is from Cornwall, but they have family in North Bay. They wanted to try something different and decided to open the city’s first bin store on Shirreff Avenue in the Century Centre Plaza.
“The moment we moved here we started looking for a place,” said Boivenue.
“We decided why not invest our money?”
Their space is 5,000 square feet with several bins filled to the brim with overstocked and product returns from big retailers like Walmart and Amazon.
“There are no stores around bringing these good deals and that’s what we want to do,” said Quesnel.
“Bring good deals and fun to people.”
Their inventory comes from a supplier near Toronto. Merchandise will be shipped in weekly and the store will be re-stocked on Thursdays with items selling for $25.
“We can kind of choose what we want to order,” said Boivenue.
The co-owners say every day, the inventory decreases in price by $5 until Wednesday when everything is just $2.
“It can be anything you can imagine. Like literally anything,” Quesnel said with a smile.
“The more people say what they want us to bring to the store, the more we can bring that item for them.”
Cambrian College marketing professor Brian Vendramin said the interest in bargain bin shopping is gaining popularity in Canada among people who enjoy the thrill of a hunt.
“It’s not just pile them high and watch them buy,” Vendramin said.
“Good, new merchandise that’s regularly refreshed will certainly be a drawing card … People are trying to get the biggest bang for the buck. They’ve been stressed with the high interest rates etc.”
If Bin City Liquidation is successful, an expansion into Sudbury is likely.
“It’s something we’ll enjoy every day,” said Quesnel.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Albertans head to polls in what's expected to be very close election between UCP, NDP
In Alberta today, the United Conservative Party is looking to win a second consecutive majority government while the NDP is fighting to regain the office it lost in 2019.

Singh calling for foreign interference special rapporteur Johnston to step aside
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is pushing for special rapporteur David Johnston to 'step aside' from his role examining the issue of foreign interference before he embarks on public hearings.
New Democrat MP says she is target of foreign interference by China
New Democrat MP Jenny Kwan said Monday that Canada's spy agency has confirmed her long-held belief she is being targeted by the Chinese government, as the prime minister granted the NDP's wish to allow more party members to review top-secret intelligence.
Canadian parliamentarians condemn Uganda's recently passed anti-homosexuality law
Canadian political leaders and parliamentarians are denouncing a new law passed in Uganda that imposes harsh penalties, including the death penalty, for certain cases involving homosexuality.
Northern B.C., Alberta and all of Ontario under 'high' to 'extreme' wildfire risk: What to know
There's a heightened risk of wildfires across the country during what has been one of the earliest fire seasons on record. From British Columbia to Nova Scotia, here's where the risk is highest.
Free prescription drugs could reduce overall health-care costs in Canada: study
Overall health-care costs could be reduced in Canada by providing free prescription drugs to patients, according to a new study.
'Tragedies occur far too often': Canada Safety Council shares swimming safety tips
With the summer swimming season fast approaching, the Canada Safety Council is reminding people to be careful and take measures to prevent drowning, especially after three children died just days apart.
Provinces must seek anti-smoking measures in Big Tobacco settlement: health groups
Three national health organizations want Canada's premiers to push for initiatives to reduce smoking during settlement negotiations with major tobacco companies, years after provinces sued to recoup health-care costs.
B.C. woman Madison Scott found dead 12 years after being reported missing
Exactly 12 years after she was reported missing, police announced Madison Scott was found dead in central B.C.