North Vancouver

We were in North Vancouver last week and while headed for a Salvation army store, came across a thrift store that I had forgotten about that was finally open.  We had tried to go there twice previously but it was unexpectedly closed both times. Third time lucky.

Anyway, this shop is called Good Stuff Connection of the North Shore Crisis Services Society, located on 3rd Avenue in the City just west of Lonsdale.   Has clothing and some decor and housewares.

Northern BC additions

No some place I am likely to go to any time soon but I've added a couple of thrift shops in Prince Rupert and one in Fort Nelson in my Northern BC page

4 month renovation closure?

That was the "strategy" that reportedly killed Target in Canada - closing K-marts for weeks to convert them into Target stores.  Customers, supposedly creatures of habit, found somewhere else to shop.

Where I am going with this is the Mission (formerly Bibles for Missions) thrift shop in Kelowna.  It closed for  major renovation and expansion in early April.  As of today (9 August), it still has not reopened and must be a few weeks late.  It has expanded substantially and is being restocked, but still not open.  I hope they got a break on rent.  I hope customers haven't gone to look at the other 11 other thrift shops in town.

Victoria churches & community centres

Churches in the Victoria area make up a fair number of the local thrift shops.  The United Church has at least 3 thrift shops in the immediate area, though 2 are closed for the summer.  Opening days are also limited - sometimes only once a week or a few days a month.

We stopped by James Bay United Church on Michigan Street today.  It's a small store which had an open air market for our visit.  Reasonable prices though some items are a bit expensive.  Well organised and staff by volunteers. 

The others - closed for the summer - are St. Aidan's and Oak Bay United Churches. [UPDATE]:  Gordon Head United church still has a thrift shop which is now operated by the local Lions chapter and also closed for the summer.  {UPDATE 2]  St Andrew's Presbyterian church has bi-monthly openings but is also closed for the summer.

We also drove by the James Bay Community Centre to check out the Community Closet but missed it due to confused directions and a well-hidden location.  Went back the next day to find it tucked in a corner of the mall/community centre, accessible only from the inside.  It is small but well organised and has clothes and shoes, often donated by a couple of consignment stores.

There is a for-profit consignment store adjacent to this store which sells everything but clothes and shoes.