A first-rate guy selling second-hand goods: Dan Hayward employs 'the people nobody will hire'

Dan Hayward is not a rich man, but he has plenty of heart.

Hayward, 68, is the owner and operator of the second-hand shopDan's Place, located in the Centre Square Mall in Yellowknife. The shop has recently expanded into three vacant storefronts in the mall, creating a 8,000-square-foot cornucopia of used video games, movies, electronics, tools, and furniture.

Hayward employs six people. All of his staff have one thing in common it's hard for them to get jobs elsewhere.

"We are the people nobody will hire," Hayward said, including himself.

"We all have our issues, so we work well together."

Whether it be depression, addictions, or mental illness, Haywardhas committed to being open and accommodating to hisemployees where other business ownersmay have moved on to the next resume.

"When I started working with him, I was in dirty old clothes," said Scotty Clarke. "I was living on the street."

"Dan is a people person He's really good with people."

Hayward said before he quit drinking in 1983, he often had run-ins with the law, and credits his compassion today to those darker times.

"I'm not no saviour, don't get me wrong. I just would like to help if I can," hesaid.

Hayward's heart extends beyond his employees. He also has a soft spot for his customers especially single parents looking for hockey equipment for their children, or a cash-strapped couple just trying to survive.

"Take it with you and test it out," Hayward said to acouple inspecting a used lamp. "Pay me back when you get rich."

And that generosity may be one of the reasons why Hayward has never gotten rich himself. He has opened and closed numerous businessesover 40-plusyears. His most recent venture before Dan's Place was Headgear, a clothing store he closed in 2014.

Hayward admits he still lives paychequeto paycheque, like most of his customers.

"I haven't learned much because I haven't seemed to been able to capitalize on making it rich. I don't have no boats. I don't have no Ski-Doos ...I just like doing it," Hayward said.

"If the key fits the door in the morning, then it's good. When Leo [the local locksmith] changes the lock, then I know I am in trouble."

Hayward said Dan's Place is making enough sales to pay the bills and wages, but that's about it. He hopesthe store will catch on with people from outside Yellowknife'sdowntown community.

"It's going to take a year to get the people from what I call the rich sections of town to realize we do have some good stuff down here," Hayward said.

"So, for all the people in Niven[subdivision] and the people around the Walmart store, you're welcome downtown."