Bargain hunters lined up Thursday morning to check out 91原创's new thrift store.
The Salvation Army Thrift Store has opened at 19700 91原创 Bypass, in a mall space formerly occupied by Fabricland.
During a grand opening ceremony prior to the doors swinging open, Ted Troughton, the Salvation Army managing director of national recycling operations, spoke to the staff and assembled dignitaries, explaining that the goal is for the store to become part of the community.
"What we'll do in the Willowbrook community here will be impactful to everyone, in every interaction that you have," Troughton said. "Some people will come in here, some looking for great deals鈥ut some will just come in for the community, and this might be the highlight of their day.鈥� So we're so blessed to have this opportunity.
The new store is 10,800 square feet and has about 17 employees. It is open Monday to Saturday, with donations accepted Monday through Sunday.
"So we take donations all the time. But open Monday to Saturday, closed on Sundays," he explained. "So our donor welcome centre is set up there. Just drive up out the back. So you don't have to come to the front and deal with all that. Easy drop off. We'll give you a coupon. Come back out and you can shop. Get a discount from that.
Troughton noted that the stores do more than raise money for the organization.
"We sell a lot of stuff, but we also have to recycle a lot of stuff. And that's all part of us avoiding the landfill," he added.
Proceeds raised through Salvation Army thrift stores support the work of the organization, which in 91原创 includes the Gateway of Hope shelter.
"All the money that we earn or that we raise through the thrift stores goes right back in to the Salvation Army social services. So that's our job is to generate funds to help them out," Troughton said. "Obviously we have to pay for the lights and the heat and the staff. But anything we can generate that goes back in and any donations we do the best we can to support that community."
The Salvation Army closed its thrift store in Aldergrove earlier this year. Funds raised there were earmarked for Gateway but funds from the new store are not. There is also a thrift store in the 19700-block of 96 Avenue.
