What happens when a high-end Toronto men's store and an enterprising Ottawa thrift store collide? You end up with an idea right outside the Ralph Lauren box. 

It's called "The Paul", at the corner of Albert and Metcalfe; a pop-up store full of high-end brand new men's clothes with all the proceeds going to Saint Vincent de Paul. 

Inside, it is a professional working man's dream; Sean John suits, Burberry coats, cashmere sweaters, ties and belts; all at cut rate prices of 60% off with no tax because all the proceeds go to charity.  "The Paul" is a pop-up store for Saint Vincent de Paul, that very same thrift store that sells second hand goods to support community needs. 

“I think it's a wonderful way to make money for a charity and give people a deal at the same time,” says shopper Mareille Trent.

Unlike the thrift store, all these goods are all brand new and flying off the racks.

Yanick Vallieres is walking out with a big bag under his arm, “A black suit, a white shirt, the basics,” he says, “And a good deal.”

It's a unique idea for a thrift store to operate a pop-up, especially one selling high-end merchandise. The idea was that of James Strate, the executive director of Saint Vincent de Paul.

“It’s kind of thinking outside the box,” says Strate, “as you can see, people like it.”

Stollerys, a high-end menswear store in Toronto, shut its doors after more than a century in business. 

That's when Saint Vincent de Paul board member Paul Dole hatched a plan to see if he could convince Stollery's to donate its stock to charity. According to Dole's son Gregory, Dole jumped on a Greyhound bus headed for Toronto to speak to one of the owners of Stollerys.

“He walks into front doors, buys a blazer,” says Gregory Dole, “and talks to the owner, a fellow by the name of Ed Whaley.”

It turns out Whaley was from Kemptville.  The deal was done.

So, from the corner of Yonge and Bloor in Toronto to Albert and Metcalfe in Ottawa, "The Paul" popped up.

“As a past Stollerys customer, I had to come and check it out,” says shopper Steve Accette, “and it's great helping out Saint Vincent de Paul.”

Sadly, Paul Dole died a couple weeks ago, just before the pop-up opened. 

The store will stay open until early February or until the stock is gone.