Parksville and Qualicum Beach

Made a trip down to Parksville and Qualicum.   We'd visited some of the stores in August and September but didn't make it to Qualicum Beach.  I noticed that I had not reviewed previously-visited stores in Parksville and Comox/Courtenay.

Both communities are among the most elderly in B.C. but it would seem that most retirees must have already downsized as one does not find more in the way of period collectibles than expected.  Books are an exception and are what one finds here with the thrift shops having much more books than your average.

In Parksville on Hurst Avenue, one will find the largest thrift shop on the Island.  The SOS thrift shop is it in terms of floor size and stocking.  It may not be the largest in B.C. (by area, that must be the new MCC shop in Abbotsford) but it must be among the biggest by available-to-shopper inventory.  On two levels, it pretty much has everything.  Clothes and books upstairs, housewares, collectibles, electronics, children's stuff and other odds 'n ends downstairs.  Be prepared to dig through to find bargains.  Not the cheapest prices but pretty reasonable.  Very crowded and popular whenever we've visited.  Free lot parking though that is usually full.  Free street parking available.

The Salvation Army has two thrift shops in Parksville.

                                                                                                                      

The main shop in a small mall just off the highway is medium sized and has quite a large book area, There's collectibles, housewares, clothing, a lot of books.  No furniture.  Prices are generally higher but lower than SA shops in the big cities. A bit dark and dreary but decently organised. Free lot parking.

The Salvation Army Boutique, for those who have visited in the past, is still there but has shrunk significantly in size for various reasons.  What remains is ladies' fashion which is clean and very well organised,   Almost more like a ... boutique, except prices are low and most of everything is used.  Everything sorted by size so it isn't such a mad hunt.  Mens' and childrens' wear have all been shifted to the other store.  Free street parking.

The Second Chance store, which I wrote about in September, has apparently extended its opening days, now open on Tuesdays (used to be Wednesday to Saturday) and is also open late 2x weekly.

Qualicum Beach has a smaller Salvation Army store which also has a separate book store virtually next to the main store.  One enter to find collectibles and housewares, with an electronics, shoes and odd 'n ends on the lower level. The main store has a boutique section which one may miss if not looking.  The adjacent book store is well-organised and has interesting titles.  Free street parking.