Kelowna: (Bibles for) Mission thrift shop

I finally got to visit the Mission thrift shop (formerly Bibles for Missions) on Spingfield Road.  The shop's owners had expanded the premises by taking over an adjacent store front or two.  Renovations closed the store for a lot longer than the planned ~3 months (it was supposed to be closed March through June 2017 but it was still closed in early August of that year).

The store is much larger now, but seems to lack the intimacy and nice scale of the old store, as well as inventory.  More spacious but it just doesn't feel the same.

Sales taxes in B.C...

I am one who doesn't think sales taxes should have to be paid at non-profit thrift shops (on the other hand, for-profits should be more than fully-taxed).

A visit to a Mission thrift shop in Chilliwack enlightened me.  It said that since the shop was not directly linked to a specific church, sales taxes have to be charged.

Maybe time to write to B.C.'s finance minister, the hon. Carol James, to exempt non-profit thrift shops from PST.

Kelowna closures: SPCA and Pro-Life

Two thrift shops in Kelowna will be closing or are already closed.

The Pro-Life Society thrift shop, affiliated with the local Catholic parish (Immaculate Conception?), occupied premises of the Knights of Columbus chapter on Sutherland Road. The land is being redeveloped for low-cost housing so the building will be demolished and the shop has closed.  There should be more items available at the parish autumn/harvest sale.

The SPCA which occupies the former premises of AJ's sporting goods will also be closing as the building has been sold for redevelopment.  There is currently at 50% off sale as the store liquidates.  The owners hope to relocate.

A second location on Casorso Road was closed a few years ago as it violated ALR land use regulations.

Salvation Army Chilliwack

I finally got to the new Salvation Army thrift shop in Chlliwack yesterday, a year and a half after it opened at the new location.  The shop is located on Hoskins Road opposite from the SA's care and share centre on Yale Road, so no further than a few hundred metres from the old location.

Located under a gym, there's a furniture section and a clothes and housewares section. The location is a lot brighter but inventory is a bit sparse compared to others.

The old location has turned into a KMS Tools if you're interested.

Victoria area church Christmas sales

A few of the churches in the Victoria area have christmas sales that feature thrift items

Here are a few that have come to my attention (watch this post for updates).

3 November 

St. Aidan's United Church, Saanich 10-15h
http://www.staidansunited.ca/events/calendar/

17 November

St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church, Victoria  1130-15h
http://standrewsvictoria.ca/

St. Peter & St. Paul Anglican Church 10-14
http://www.stpeterandpaul.ca/events/holly-bazaar-2018/2018-11-17

Christ Church Cathedral 11-15
https://www.christchurchcathedral.bc.ca/events/cathedral-christmas-bazaar/2018-11-17

24 November

St. George's Anglican Church Cadboro Bay  10-14h
https://www.stgeorgecadborobay.ca/events/christmas-fair--84/2018-11-24

Sooke Fall Fair 9-16h
http://sookefallfair.ca/wp/index.php/sooke-fall-fair-the-biggest-little-christmas-craft-fair/

The only previous event I've been to is St. Aidan's United Church which is very busy and very popular (and have also visited the thrift shop during regular hours).  I've also visited the thrift shop of St. Andrew's Presbyterian on one of its bi-monthly opening days.

Langley: Habitat for Humanity Restore

The Vancouver chapter of Habitat for Humanity opened a new ReStore in Langley over the summer.  The location is at 20104 Logan Avenue just east of 200th St and north of the town centre.

Vancouver: Habitat for Humanity Restore - Closed

It appears that the south Vancouver Habitat for Humanity ReStore has closed.  It was located south of Marine Drive near the city's transfer station. 

Branchs remain in Burnaby (2), North Vancouver, Maple Ridge and a new one in Langley