About 200 eager shoppers were waiting, some standing in line for more than two hours, for the Salvation Army to open its newest — and largest — thrift store on Vancouver Island in Langford on Thursday.
The 11,000-square-foot store is in the old Capital Iron store at 975 Langford Parkway, near Westshore Town Centre. It’s the second one in Langford and the seventh in Greater Victoira.
Audra Gummerson, the store’s first customer, said she was lined up by 7:30 a.m. for the 10 a.m. opening.
“I was so excited I almost couldn’t sleep last night,” said the 46-year-old, a frequent shopper at Salvation Army thrift stores.
“For me, it is a godsend because I can find treasures in the clothes that aren’t fashionable anymore.
“I like shopping at the Salvation Army stores because they are better priced than the competition.”
The new store will stock gently used clothing, household items, electronics, art, books and more.
A dedicated donation centre at the back of the store will be open seven days a week.
The store will generate funds for support programs and services offered by the Salvation Army sa国际传媒ion Point Church and Resource Centre, on Goldstream Avenue.
“This is a great day for the community. Not only will we provide items of good value for shoppers, the proceeds from those sales will stay in the community,” said Capt. David Hickman, who is in charge of the Salvation Army sa国际传媒ion Point Church.
He said the store will also serve as the go-to location for free clothes for families in need, new Canadians and the influx of Ukrainian refugees to the West Shore.
“Every year we give away approximately $50,000 worth of clothes, so this new location will serve us extremely well,” said Hickman.
The existing thrift store on Goldstream Avenue will remain open, he said, and could be turned into a “boutique” thrift store, where higher-end clothing and art are sold.
Ted Troughton, Ontario-based managing director for the Salvation Army’s National Recycling Operations, was in Langford to help cut the ribbon for the new store.
“The City of Langford is bustling with growth and development, and we are thrilled to be expanding our community outreach in the area to serve even more individuals and families,” he said. “With the support of our guests, donors, employees, volunteers, and partners, the West Shore location will help us continue to uplift our local community together.”
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