If you’re a fan of thrift shopping, there is now one less store in Greater Sudbury to dig up cost-effective treasures.
The Salvation Army announced Monday that its thrift store on Notre Dame Avenue, which has been closed since March due to COVID-19, will not reopen.
It is also no longer accepting donations, so you’re asked not to bring items there anymore — as with most local thrift stores, the Salvation Army has dealt with dumping during the pandemic.
Capt. Deb VanderHeyden said the store had “not been viable for some time now,” and is being permanently closed due to financial instability.
“With COVID, it certainly didn’t help the situation,” she said.
It’s possible the Salvation Army could have a lawn sale to sell off its thrift store stock later on. “It’s hard to say right now, given the restrictions,” VanderHeyden said.
The store has 14 staff, which includes two full-time staffers and casual employees who only come in occasionally as they’re needed.
The Salvation Army owns the building at 634 Notre Dame Ave. where the thrift store is located, and also operates a food bank out of the venue.
VanderHeyden said the plan is to use the space to create a Family Resource Centre to meet the needs of Flour Mill families and new Canadians.
This could possibly include a learning centre where new Canadians can learn to speak English, and clients can learn smart shopping skills and ways to cook on a budget.
It might also include a family feeding program, where families can sit down with their children and have a meal at the same time they’re visiting the food bank.
“We’re happy for the support of the community,” VanderHeyden said. “Unfortunately the store didn’t work, but we look forward to a new vision, and our building will become a Family Resource Centre. We will rebuild the family focus as we move forward.”
