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

Crofton, Ladysmith and Chemainus

Three thrift stores in the northern Cowichan valley.

The thrift store at Crofton, a community one on Joan Avenue between York and King, has been in some flux.  Currently it is part of a self-serve laundromat. It's small with a small selection of items. No furniture.  Prices seem to be reasonable.  Lots of free street parking.

Chemainus Hospital Auxiliary

Heading up to Chemainus, one finds a Hospital Auxilliary shop on the corner of Maple and Oak streets.  This store is well-organised but small, reflecting the small community.  Well patronised by the locals.  Free street parking.

Ladysmith Hospital Auxiliary

Up in Ladysmith on the corner of 1st and French is the local Hospital Auxilliary.  They do seem to get whatever the community gives, some of it thrown in the dumpster.  It's on the small side.  Quite an assortment of the usual.  Free street parking.

Chilliwack and surrounds

Chilliwack is a town full of thrift stores, most with religious affiliation.

Working from north to south roughly along Yale Road, one finds:

On Yale and Williams is the Lions Den of the Chilliwack Lions - one of the few service organisation thrift stores.  It's pretty much a jumble here but full of house wares if you are willing to look through the rather-dim and disorganised store. Good prices.  Free street parking and lot parking in the back.




Between Fletcher and Nowell, opposite the post office is Ann's Treasures of the Ann Davis society (recovery/counselling for women).  Mainly clothing, it also has some housewares.  Decent prices and nicely organised. Free street parking.  Around the corner on Nowell just before Princess is the 1st of two Bibles for Missions.  Quite a few items in the larger mid-sized shop, mainly clothing but a fair amount of house wares and some furniture.  Good prices.  Free lot parking.

Bibles for Missions - Nowell Street

On Kipp Avenue between Mary and Main is the MCC store.  Usual selection of goods, decent prices.  Fairly well-organised.  Free street parking.

Chilliwck United Church

Around the corner on Main between Kipp and Spadina, one finds shops of the local Hospital Auxilliary and United Church.  Both are small.  The HA store has the usual clothes and housewares.  Well organised and good prices.  The United Church is a bit less organised but seems to have more items.  Good prices again.  Free street parking.

Chilliwack Hospital Auxiiary

On Mary between Hodgins and Bernard is Mother Theresa's Place of the local Catholic church.  A bit dark but it has a good assortment of items at pretty decent prices.  Free lot parking.








Back to Yale Road between Railway and Hocking (accesible only if headed north on Yale) is the Salvation Army shop.  Medium size but a bit sad in organisation.  Prices are o.k. as is selection  Free lot parking. (April 2017 update: This store has closed due to property development.  The local SA intends to reopen the store when new premises are found)

There's a 2nd shop of M2W2 that I have yet to visit.

South of the TC highway along Luckakuck Way are two shops.  East of Vedder opposite the shopping mall is a Bibles for Missions which is medium size and nicely laid out.  A good assortment of housewares, well organised.  Good prices.  free lot parking. On the other side past the Cottonwood Mall just west of Topaz is the local Hospice Society shop.  Smaller but very well organised and laid out.  Good prices.  Free lot parking.

Chilliwack Hospice

Bibles for Missions - Luckakuck Way

On the main and only street in Yarrow is probably the smallest MCC shop.  Small in all terms, selection is limited reflecting community size.  Lot parking behind or street parking out front.

List of Chilliwack and south of the Fraser river thrift shops
http://bcthriftshop.blogspot.ca/p/blog-page_3.html

Langley

Langley centre probably has the highest concentration of thrift stores in a given area for the whole of B.C.  I certainly haven't found any other area in B.C. that is as comparable.  There are 11 shops in a ~1200m x 400m area.  Merchants of new items are not particularly happy about this.

Going from west to east, one first comes across the 1st branch of the International Christian Response thrift stores on the west side of 200 Street and where 57th Avenue should intersect.  This medium size shop has a good amount of goods, with lots of china and collectibles, at pretty reasonably prices.  Organisation isn't the best but the volunteers have limited space. Off-street lot with free parking.



On the north side of 56th Avenue just west of 203rd Street  are two thrift stores.  In the mini-mall at the corner is Thrift for Kids which is franchised by the Langley School Foundation.  The store is new so doesn't have too many items.  Mall parking.





A little bit further west is Hope for Children which assists needy children in a developing country.  This store is full of collectibles at very good prices. Off-street parking.

Heading up 203rd Street between Industrial and Logan, one comes to the 2nd International Christian Response shop on the east side.  A small shop, it replicates the inventory of the other shop on a smaller scale.  Lot parking out front.

(April 2017 Update: This location has closed)

Around the corner on the south side of Logan west of Glover Road is the large Bibles for Missions.  This store is the biggest charity store in Langley (occupies what appears to be a former supermarket).  Lots of inventory including furniture and very well-organised by the volunteers.  Very good prices though some collectibles are more fairly priced for the charity.  Lot of parking out front.



Further east on Logan across Glover Road is the small Second Beginnings shop.  Assisting local children and young mothers, its offering are more suited to that demographic though there is a nice assortment of crockery, some of which are fine china.  Small parking lot out front.


Around the back of the block on 56th Avenue are two thrift stores.  On the south side at the corner of  Salt Lane is the small boutique in aid of a Catholic society for battered women and abused children.  Very well-organised by volunteers, it has some very nice crockery for sale.  Free street parking




Across 56th Avenue in the mall is a thrift store that may well be private.  This medium-sized store seems to be a shambles but can be quite rewarding for those who are prepared to dig through.  No prices on anything (so looking poor may help) but prices are very reasonable.  Free parking in the mall.

The Fraser Highway section of town has an impressive array. On the NE corner of 204th Street is the Better Tomorrow shop that assists local seniors. Just a small assortment of items.  Free street parking.

April 2017 Update: This store appears to be permanently closed

Penny Pinchers main store

Across the road a bit further east are the two Penny Pincher shops of Langley Memorial's hospital auxilliary.  The 1st shop has household goods and collectibles while the second shop has clothing only.  Both are small but well-stocked and well organised by the volunteers.  Very good prices.  Street parking.

Penny Pinchers clothing store

Across 206th Street on the north side is the somewhat-hidden Fibromylagia thrift shop.  Although small, it is well organised.  Free mall parking.  (April 2017 update: This shop has moved to Aldergrove)

Though we did not visit, there is the Boutique Finds shop supporting Langley Wheels on Meals on the NE corner. Reportedly mainly clothing.

One feature of the thrift shops in Langley is that they are well-supplied with bread from local supermarkets and you are invited to take some to share.  There is apparently plenty to go around.

In the north part of the municipality, there is the Salvation Army on the north side of 96th Avenue at 198th Street in Port Kells.  Though it is the main sorting centre.for the Salvation Army division in southwestern B.C., most of the goods are apparently shipped out to other SA stores as this branch is one of the smallest ones we've come across.  A small usual selection of everything (except furniture) with the usual lower mainland SA prices.  Parking lot out front.

In the Walnut Grove area in the mall at 88 Avenue at 202nd Street (NE quadrant) is the Langley Hospice Second Story Treasures thrift store.  This medium size shop is very well laid out and organised by the volunteers and as a result doesn't have too much inventory on display.   Free parking in the mall.




List of Langley and south of the Fraser river thrift shops
http://bcthriftshop.blogspot.ca/p/blog-page_3.html

Maple Ridge

An opportunity to get some stuff took us to Maple Ridge on Sunday, and remarkably some of the thrift stores were even open.

Cythera Boutique

Heading down the Lougheed highway, the urban centre has two shops on the main drag.  The first, coming from the west before 224th Street, is the Cynthera botique which appears to be small (it has a narrow shop front).  Cynthera is a charity assisting women in need and has two thrift shops in Maple Ridge.  This is claims to have higher-end goods. 

Bibles for Missions - Maple Ridge

At around 225th street on the north side is the local Bibles for Missions.  The shop is a double front.  Street parking for both of these.

Ridge Meadows Hospice

On parallel Dewdney Trunk Road are 3 thrift shops (two of which are open on Sundays).  The first one we visited was the Ridge Meadows Hospice shop on 224th Street (NW corner of the intersection with DTR).  Medium size, it has a fair number of items, with not that much in the way of clothes, surprisingly. Nicely laid out. Large parking lot.

Economy Cottage 

Heading back west between 222nd and 223rd, there's the Cynthera shop on the north side and the Economy Cottage Auxilliary (hospital auxilliary?) shop almost opposite on the south.  This Cynthera is on the small side but is nicely laid out.  The Economy Auxilliary seems to be small (Single shop front). Cynthera is in a mall so there's parking, and you can walk across the Economy Auxilliary (otherwise street parking only).

Cythera Thrift

Northwest Burnaby

Medical appointment this morning in the western fringe of Burnaby so we got going early to visit some shops.

First was the New West/Royal Columbian Hospital Auxilliary that was having its monthly 1/2 price sale (last Thursday of the month).  The Princess of Austria had been eyeing a set of dishes ($2) while I had been eyeing a salt 'n pepper shaker set.  Asking prices of $2 and $5 were way too high for what we wanted them for  the PoA as a starter set for her plan white china set while I wanted to dd to my Pfaltzgraff Yorktowne set.
Both were still there n the morning so we felt at liberty to walk out paying  $3.50 for all.

Next was up to the two thrift stores on Edmonds  The PoA found a nice Irish linen souvenir towel at one and a few coffee cups friends of her friend are collecting (Johnson Brothers Athena).

There is a Habitat for Humanity ReStore in Burnaby so we dropped by.  A lot of stuff for home renos but very little int he way of other thrift goods, unlike the stores in the Interior.  That's why we never though of dropping in.  With her doctor running 40 minutes behind schedule, we made a stop at the SA in North Burnaby.  This store has been fruitful for me in the past yielding a German Solingen bread knife and a Henckels pasta ladle but nothing for me today. the PoA did find 4 linen napkins for $2.

Medical appointment done, we headed back to New West but dropped into the Coquitlam expensive VV  Lots of expensive stuff but I did find a metal-handled J.A. Henckels apple corer for $0.99.  3rd one I found this year but also the nicest.

Made a foray to the HA again but no new stock  The local SA also didn't have much but found a saucer in the pattern that the PoA's friend is collecting  (Royal Knight).  The SPCA again is full of... expensive items.  Did see another German-made apple corer but I don't need another one.