Duncan

Despite having restarted my blog and having been here for nearly 6 weeks, I seem to have forgotten to add Duncan where we've spent quite a bit of time thrift shopping.

Before making one's way here, be aware that the community is fairly poor and there isn't exactly much selection of exciting inventory here.

The downtown core of Duncan is home to 4 charitable thrift stores and 2 private ones.  HATS or the Hospital Auxilliary Thrift Store is a small volunteer-run store on Station Street at Craig (NE corner).  It has mainly clothing and some housewares and collectibles.  Reasonable prices.

At the west end of Station where it intersects with Jubilee and Government is WINGS III (Women In Need Getting Stronger) which appears to be a private store operating for a charity.  It's small and has an eclectic boutique feel to it.  Nice items though prices are a little high.

On Kenneth between Jubilee and Craig is the Sassy Lion, operated by the local Lions Club.  It's a smaller shop that has the usual assortment + furniture.  Reasonable prices.  Day-old bread from the excellent bakery is sometimes available for a donation.

On the west end of Ingram Street between Jubilee and Boundary is the Duncan United Church thrift store.  Generally open only on Fridays, it is very small and seems to only have a few items on display with the rest saved for some sales.  Well worth a visit if you can combine with St John the Baptist Anglican's Hand in Hand store in Cobble Hill. It has lot parking.

A little bit north on Canada Avenue is Cowichan Family Services.  It is again a small store with an assortment of items.  There is a small parking lot in front.

Street parking in Duncan is free but can be very limited because it is free and for long periods (3 hours except in the few 15 minute spots).

Along the highway are the Salvation Army and Bibles for Missions.  On the SE corner of the highway and Trunk is the Salvation Army.  This is probably the smallest in B.C. and the only store in its division.  It is frequented by the poorer segment of local society but it is still worth perusing.  I found a very nice Bialetti espresso maker just as it was put on the shelf.  The excellent bakery also makes bread available here for a donation.  Free lot parking.

A little north at the intersection of Alexander (SE corner) hidden in the depths of the parking lot is the local Bibles for Missions.  It's the smallest BFM store that I've come across in B.C. and again reflecting the local populace, the least well-stocked and somewhat more expensive.  Still interesting.  Lots of free lot parking.

The three private stores are interesting.  Just north of the BFM on York is the Good Neighbours.  It's the biggest thrift shop (lots of clothes) and very messy (not as bad as the SPCA in Richmond).   Some say it is a bit expensive (it is) but there may be things of interest.  You have to dig through housewares and books. Lulus on Canada Avenue between Ingram and Kenneth is a small shop, a bit messy, and also expensive.  Hidden at the west end of Station Street across Government is a thrift shop housed in the lower floor of a large house.  There's lots of household items but they're fairly expensive and the place reeks of tobacco smoke (smoking owner).

I've previously mentioned the Duncan Seventh Day Adventist thrift store about 1 mile west of the hospital on Gibbins Road, and the free store at the Bings Creek dump at the west end of Drinkwater.

Vancouver Island thrift shop listings:
http://bcthriftshop.blogspot.ca/p/listing-of.html