The twin towns of Courtenay and Comox have a fair number of thrift shops. Like Parksville and Qualicum, most retirees here must have downsized and rid themselves of their vintage items so not much gets to the thrift shops. The contribution from military members results in more military-connected items and foreign souvenirs than one would expect.
The Salvation Army has the most with 3 branches. The Salvation Army has been on the move in the area. A new store was opened n Comox a few years ago to add to the small one in Comox town.
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Salvation Army Kilpatrick Avenue store |
The Salvation Army Courtenay store on Kilpatrick Avenue moved from a warehouse to a more-retail built street-frontage premise within the same building. Previous to that, it was located in the downtown part of Courtenay. It is fairly large for the area, utilitarian as the SA thrift shops tend to be, decently organised and has the usual wares. Quite a bit of furniture is offered. Free lot parking.
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Ryan Road store |
The new Salvation Army store in Comox, on East Ryan Road just before the military
base, is in a smallish store occupying a new building. It's decently organised.
Usual assortment of goods. Very small amount of books. Free lot parking.
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Comox Avenue store |
The older Comox store on Comox Avenue n Comox centre is a small one that is more like a gift store with a small selection of the usual wares - focusing mainly clothes and offering no furniture. Free street parking.
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Too Good To Be Threw |
Too Good to be Threw of the Comox Valley Transition Society has a just claim to being the nicest thrift store in
the Comox Valley. Set in Courtenay's core, it is a larger spacious store which
is laid out very nicely. Some prices can be high but not too bad
overall. Good book selection. Free street parking.
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St. Joe's Auxiliary Cottage thrift shop |
On the grounds of St. Joseph's Hospital is its Auxiliary's Cottage Thrift store. Located in a small cottage, it is a
small store that is enthusiastically run by volunteers. Focus is on
clothes but there are housewares and collectibles. Generally very good prices. Small amount of free lot
parking overflowing into paid hospital parking. The hospital will
continue as a care facility when the acute care units are moved to the
new hospital so hopefully the auxiliary will stay.
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ReStore |
Habitat for Humanity has a small ReStore hidden in a residential nieghborhood that one would not find except by chance. It's one of the smallest ReStores (we've visited all except 2 in southern B.C.), but one that has a small but decent amount of housewares in addition to the normal home reno items. Free lot parking
There is also the gift shop at the Filberg Lodge mentioned in a post from earlier this week.
The local SPCA, locate across from the Salvation Army shop on Ryan Road, has somewhat regular fund-raising book sales.
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