Heading south a bit to Vernon, one finds a plethora of thrift shops, and the shops even have a walking map so you can park your car and visit them all.
Starting on the east side of the highway at the SW corner of 28th Ave and 31st Street, one finds Georgette, the smallish boutique of Canadian Mental Health. Primarily (or only) clothes and shoes here, and the choice selection at that. Never bought anything so unaware of prices. Meter on-street parking.
On 29th Avenue between the highway and 31st St is the local Salvation Army. Small-medium, it has the usual assortment of stuff but little/no furniture. Prices are better than in the lower mainland (which seems to be a separately-managed). Paid street meter parking.
Further up 31st St at 31st Ave, one finds the Vernon Pro-Life society shop. Never been in it.
On the west side of the highway lie the bigger shops.
At 30th Avenue and 34th Street is the new branch of Kindale (open since June this year). A small-medium shop, it has a lot of everything and is slowly being stocked.
Across the road on 34th St between 29 and 30 Avenue is the 2nd shop of the Mission Society. A very small shop, it stocks the remnants and lower-priced goods of its larger sister, which is down at 34th Street and 26th Avenue. This is probably the densest stocked shop in Vernon and has a good assortment at very good prices.
If headed east towards the Arrow lakes, one can stop in Lumby which has a community thrift shop. It's off on the north side of the highway past the stop sign in town. Might have something of interest.
There's a 2nd Salvation Army shop in the north part of Vernon but somehow I haven't been aware of it untl today.
Friday 29 July 2016
Thursday 28 July 2016
Northwest Burnaby
Medical appointment this morning in the western fringe of Burnaby so we got going early to visit some shops.
First was the New West/Royal Columbian Hospital Auxilliary that was having its monthly 1/2 price sale (last Thursday of the month). The Princess of Austria had been eyeing a set of dishes ($2) while I had been eyeing a salt 'n pepper shaker set. Asking prices of $2 and $5 were way too high for what we wanted them for the PoA as a starter set for her plan white china set while I wanted to dd to my Pfaltzgraff Yorktowne set.
Both were still there n the morning so we felt at liberty to walk out paying $3.50 for all.
Next was up to the two thrift stores on Edmonds The PoA found a nice Irish linen souvenir towel at one and a few coffee cups friends of her friend are collecting (Johnson Brothers Athena).
There is a Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Burnaby so we dropped by. A lot of stuff for home renos but very little int he way of other thrift goods, unlike the stores in the Interior. That's why we never though of dropping in. With her doctor running 40 minutes behind schedule, we made a stop at the SA in North Burnaby. This store has been fruitful for me in the past yielding a German Solingen bread knife and a Henckels pasta ladle but nothing for me today. the PoA did find 4 linen napkins for $2.
Medical appointment done, we headed back to New West but dropped into the Coquitlam expensive VV Lots of expensive stuff but I did find a metal-handled J.A. Henckels apple corer for $0.99. 3rd one I found this year but also the nicest.
Made a foray to the HA again but no new stock The local SA also didn't have much but found a saucer in the pattern that the PoA's friend is collecting (Royal Knight). The SPCA again is full of... expensive items. Did see another German-made apple corer but I don't need another one.
First was the New West/Royal Columbian Hospital Auxilliary that was having its monthly 1/2 price sale (last Thursday of the month). The Princess of Austria had been eyeing a set of dishes ($2) while I had been eyeing a salt 'n pepper shaker set. Asking prices of $2 and $5 were way too high for what we wanted them for the PoA as a starter set for her plan white china set while I wanted to dd to my Pfaltzgraff Yorktowne set.
Both were still there n the morning so we felt at liberty to walk out paying $3.50 for all.
Next was up to the two thrift stores on Edmonds The PoA found a nice Irish linen souvenir towel at one and a few coffee cups friends of her friend are collecting (Johnson Brothers Athena).
There is a Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Burnaby so we dropped by. A lot of stuff for home renos but very little int he way of other thrift goods, unlike the stores in the Interior. That's why we never though of dropping in. With her doctor running 40 minutes behind schedule, we made a stop at the SA in North Burnaby. This store has been fruitful for me in the past yielding a German Solingen bread knife and a Henckels pasta ladle but nothing for me today. the PoA did find 4 linen napkins for $2.
Medical appointment done, we headed back to New West but dropped into the Coquitlam expensive VV Lots of expensive stuff but I did find a metal-handled J.A. Henckels apple corer for $0.99. 3rd one I found this year but also the nicest.
Made a foray to the HA again but no new stock The local SA also didn't have much but found a saucer in the pattern that the PoA's friend is collecting (Royal Knight). The SPCA again is full of... expensive items. Did see another German-made apple corer but I don't need another one.
Wednesday 27 July 2016
West Surrey
Decided to wander over the Pattulo bridge to the west side of Surrey, some place I have generally avoided due to traffic. Remarkably there wasn't much traffic going south (more gong north) despite being down to one lane in ether direction.
First stop was the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) shop on the west side of King George at
around 107/106A Avenues (no cross street). The shop is large and well organised by its volunteers. Unfortunately premises must be rented as prices for the most part are pretty high - much higher than other MCC shops in B.C. Free parking in the lot out front.
Continuing down KGH to 72nd Avenue (in Newton Crossing SE corner of the intersection), we came to Delta Hospice/Firefighters community thrift shop. It's a smaller shop with the usual variety of goods. O.K. prices but nothing caught our eye. Free lot parking.
The Salvation Army's Newton shop is close by at 138th Street (behind the Safeway) tucked in a nearly-hidden corner of the mall. Professionally run, the displays are organised quite well though the toy sections seem to be a disaster with children playing everything. Not much restock since a week ago and prices are generally higher. Lots of free mall parking.
There is a tiny thrift shop, God's Love, on the other side of 72nd Avenue on 137th Street (between 72 and 74) which supports the Delta Hospital. Small and not much. Didn't check on prices. Free street parking.
On to what is considered North Delta is the Salvation Army shop at 120th St and 80 Ave (NE corner). Large and again professionally-organised. Prices are a bit high but not bad. Mall parking. Usual assortment of stuff but lots of housewares.
Heading north to escape over the Alex Fraser, we came across a small thrift shop on the east side of 120th around 84 Avenue. Small and seems to be expensive. Private, I imagine, but it claims to support a charity (forgot which one).
Much further up around/between 94th and 95A Aves are supposed to be a couple of thrift stores, one of which stocks items for/from the East Indian community.
At 120th St/Nordel Way a.k.a. 88th Avenue is the first BC branch of a Canadian for-profit thrift store that supports Childrens Aid (claimed to have given $13m in the past ~10 years) called Talize. It's like a Winners Very large and has a fair amount of stuff, well-organised and staffed by paid employees. Prices seem to be high but reasonable on some items. Lots of stuff is bundled so you can't pick and choose.
First stop was the Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) shop on the west side of King George at around 107/106A Avenues (no cross street). The shop is large and well organised by its volunteers. Unfortunately premises must be rented as prices for the most part are pretty high - much higher than other MCC shops in B.C. Free parking in the lot out front.
The Salvation Army's Newton shop is close by at 138th Street (behind the Safeway) tucked in a nearly-hidden corner of the mall. Professionally run, the displays are organised quite well though the toy sections seem to be a disaster with children playing everything. Not much restock since a week ago and prices are generally higher. Lots of free mall parking.
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| God's Love |
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| Salvation Army - North Delta |
Heading north to escape over the Alex Fraser, we came across a small thrift shop on the east side of 120th around 84 Avenue. Small and seems to be expensive. Private, I imagine, but it claims to support a charity (forgot which one).
Much further up around/between 94th and 95A Aves are supposed to be a couple of thrift stores, one of which stocks items for/from the East Indian community.
At 120th St/Nordel Way a.k.a. 88th Avenue is the first BC branch of a Canadian for-profit thrift store that supports Childrens Aid (claimed to have given $13m in the past ~10 years) called Talize. It's like a Winners Very large and has a fair amount of stuff, well-organised and staffed by paid employees. Prices seem to be high but reasonable on some items. Lots of stuff is bundled so you can't pick and choose.
Tuesday 26 July 2016
Northern Okanagan part I
Off the highway in the northern Okanagan, there are 3 thrift shops that I know of. Well worth visiting.
In Armstrong, the famed home of some cheddar that isn't made there anymore despite the brand name are, surprisingly, two thrift stores. Both are quite a ways off the highway in the middle of the old town.
The first one is Kindale, which was founded here to help developmentally-disabled people and employs them. Armstrong is still home. The thrift store is on Patterson west of Okanagan. Medium sized shop with a plethora of things. Good prices, fairly arranged though a bit shabby. Maybe something for everyone. Street parking as well as a lot across the street.
Across the rail track on Pleasant Valley west of Okanagan is the local hospital auxilliary. Medium size again. It has nice arrangement and a fair amount of stuff, perhaps a little more than Kindale. Good prices. Street parking.
Heading north to Enderby, the Twice But Nice community thrift shop has moved to Cliffe Avenue on the west side of the highway from its former home on the east side. Newly reopened, I don't think stock has been brought out during our visit in late June. Small, nice old-fashioned store. Fair prices. Street parking.
In Armstrong, the famed home of some cheddar that isn't made there anymore despite the brand name are, surprisingly, two thrift stores. Both are quite a ways off the highway in the middle of the old town.
The first one is Kindale, which was founded here to help developmentally-disabled people and employs them. Armstrong is still home. The thrift store is on Patterson west of Okanagan. Medium sized shop with a plethora of things. Good prices, fairly arranged though a bit shabby. Maybe something for everyone. Street parking as well as a lot across the street.
Across the rail track on Pleasant Valley west of Okanagan is the local hospital auxilliary. Medium size again. It has nice arrangement and a fair amount of stuff, perhaps a little more than Kindale. Good prices. Street parking.
Heading north to Enderby, the Twice But Nice community thrift shop has moved to Cliffe Avenue on the west side of the highway from its former home on the east side. Newly reopened, I don't think stock has been brought out during our visit in late June. Small, nice old-fashioned store. Fair prices. Street parking.
New Westminster and SE Burnaby thrift shopping
We're spending a lot of time in New West and have had time to find and visit the thrift shops in the city and nearby.
The first one we visited was New to You of the NW Hospital Auxilliary's which is on E Columbia up from Royal Columbian Hospital. Small, well-organised thrift shop. Street parking but it is all pay. Last Thursday of the month promises 50% off everything.
On 6th Street @ 5th Avenue is Treasure Chest of the local/Fraser branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association . Nice small shop which is well laid out. Street parking, pay and free.
Down 5th Avenue (south side @ 10th Street) is the St Barnabas Anglican church shop. It's in the basement. Well laid out. Lots of housewares, great prices in books, some clothes. Quite good prices. Street parking (free) Watch the hours. Not open on Monday but it is open more frequently than the sign says Depends on volunteer availability.
On 12th Street, there's two thrift shops north of 6th Avenue. East side is the SPCA (the SPCA licenses its name to privately-owned/operated shops in return for a cut). Small very crammed shop. Not well organised. Prices, due to private ownership, can be high.
On the opposite side of 12th Street is the Sugar Shack that supports a Pentecostal church in Manila in the Philippines. Very small, not much stuff but worth a drop in if you are visiting the others. Paid street parking for both here and the SPCA.
The big presence in New West is the Salvation Army on the south side of Columbia at 8th Street. Huge shop with a lot of stuff. Best to come when it is 1/2 price sale, of course. Prices are high as befits the SA. Paid street and off street parking.
There are 4 shops in the south and eastern fringes of Burnaby
Edmonds Street on the north side of Canada Way has two interesting shops, both on the north/west side.
At the end of the block is Orphan Aid. Medium-sized, it is stacked to the gills and has a lot of stuff. Prices are fairly good, and below average for the most part. Quite dense in housewares and cloths. Some furniture too downstairs.
Closer to Canada Way is BASES which supports many causes in Burnaby. Very well laid-out shop and nice to shop in. Lots of housewares, not very clothing heavy. Parking in it own adjacent off-street lot. Free street parking too but check for restrictions.
On Kingsway (north side) west of Griffiths is the Burnaby Hospice shop. Medium size, o.k. lay out. Prices a bit high and seemingly picked over for housewares. Free street parking. There's furniture upstairs.
On Cameron (north side) off North Road in Burquitlam is the basement thrift shop of Saint Stephen the Martyr Anglican church. The shop may be open only monthly. We just happened to be here on the 3rd Saturday where excess stock is displayed in the church's parking lot (so there is some parking). Not too bad selection but a lot of stuff may not be out. Prices seems quite reasonable.
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| New To You |
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| Treasure Chest |
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| Thrift shop in the basement of St Barnabas |
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| SPCA New West |
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| Sugar Shack |
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| New West Salvation Army |
The big presence in New West is the Salvation Army on the south side of Columbia at 8th Street. Huge shop with a lot of stuff. Best to come when it is 1/2 price sale, of course. Prices are high as befits the SA. Paid street and off street parking.
There are 4 shops in the south and eastern fringes of Burnaby
Edmonds Street on the north side of Canada Way has two interesting shops, both on the north/west side.
At the end of the block is Orphan Aid. Medium-sized, it is stacked to the gills and has a lot of stuff. Prices are fairly good, and below average for the most part. Quite dense in housewares and cloths. Some furniture too downstairs.
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| BASES |
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| Burnaby Hospice |
On Cameron (north side) off North Road in Burquitlam is the basement thrift shop of Saint Stephen the Martyr Anglican church. The shop may be open only monthly. We just happened to be here on the 3rd Saturday where excess stock is displayed in the church's parking lot (so there is some parking). Not too bad selection but a lot of stuff may not be out. Prices seems quite reasonable.
A visit to the tri-cities
Made a visit to the tri cities a.k.a. Port Moody, Coquitlam and Port Coquitlam today.
1st stop was the Share'd thrift shop in Port Moody (west side of town on the north side of the main drag). A nice medium-sized store. Not very crowded at all so nice to browse, but that means fewer things. Prices o.k., a bit expensive (maybe average for Vancouver) comparable to SA pricing for the most part. Free street parking and some parking in the lot off the back road.
Next up was the Crossroads Hospice on Barnet Highway (south side) a little bit before it joins the Lougheed in Coquitlam. Independent building. Not as nicely laid out but not too bad. Prices seem moderate/average for Vancouver. Parking is a bit tight and you're warned not to park at the neighbouring restaurant.
Wandering into PoCo, there's the Salvation Army. A smallish shop and can be a bit cramp and disorganised. Average prices. Street parking.
Close by across the rail tracks is Eagle Ridge Hospital Auxilliary. Another small shop in a large strip mall. Not much here so didn't get a feel on prices Rather dark inside and a bit cramp. Free lot parking but it may get crowded.
Across Lougheed is the Trinity United Church and its thrift shop. Unfortunately it has limited opening times, looks like Wednesdays and Thursdays so we didn't visit. Ample parking in the lot.
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| SHARE'd |
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| Crossroads Hospice |
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| Salvation Army - PoCo |
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| Eagle Ridge Hospital Auxiliary - PoCo |
Close by across the rail tracks is Eagle Ridge Hospital Auxilliary. Another small shop in a large strip mall. Not much here so didn't get a feel on prices Rather dark inside and a bit cramp. Free lot parking but it may get crowded.
Across Lougheed is the Trinity United Church and its thrift shop. Unfortunately it has limited opening times, looks like Wednesdays and Thursdays so we didn't visit. Ample parking in the lot.
Welcome to the Non-profit Thrift Shops of British Columbia blog
Welcome to the Charitable Thrift Shops of British Columbia blog. In our travels throughout B.C. over the past 3 1/2 years, we've made stops at thrift shops, priority given to those that are non-profit, operated by charities or at least operating for charities. Operations that are primarily/solely for-profit are excluded.
I will review shops as they are visited (and revisited after a long absence), and will mention some others in selected areas visited in the past.
See the listings pages/post for listing of these shops throughout BC
For what we've found in kitchen wares, follow our other blog http://thriftstorekitchen.blogspot.ca
We also look for wine paraphernalia and our finding are written in http://thriftstoreoenophile.blogspot.ca/
I will review shops as they are visited (and revisited after a long absence), and will mention some others in selected areas visited in the past.
See the listings pages/post for listing of these shops throughout BC
For what we've found in kitchen wares, follow our other blog http://thriftstorekitchen.blogspot.ca
We also look for wine paraphernalia and our finding are written in http://thriftstoreoenophile.blogspot.ca/
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