Langley and Chilliwack, and Kelowna until 22 October

Appointment timing gave us an opportunity to wander through the Fraser Valley last week.  Started at Cloverdale and worked our way to Chilliwack.

Three new thrift shops to list though we only visited two, and the demise of one of these is imminent.

The new one is the Thrift Barn of the Horse Protection charity where 222nd and 224th Streets meet in Langley SE of the city.  Didn't as it is only open Thursdays to Saturdays.  Lot parking.

Heading to Chilliwack on Airport Road between Yale and Young is another Hidden Treasures shop of the M2W2 prisoner peer counselling society.  This shop took over an existing private one. All the various items except furniture.  Lot parking.

We've long known about a SPCA thrift shop in Kelowna but don't head out its way anymore but made a special visit to this branch at Casorso and Benvoulin directly opposite from the SPCA. This store is in the ALR and was a produce stand called the Tomato King before it became among other things including an Asian crafts import store.  It became a thrift store some 4 years ago but was ordered to close recently as it was solely involved in non-agriculture activities which is not allowed on ALR land.  Last day was 22 October.  Great as they had a 50% off sale and we got a good haul.  SPCA store sales will be concentrated at the remaining store in Rutland which is good for us.

 

Abbotsford

Abbotsford is home to several thrift shops, most with religious affiliation.  It's homely here so lots of housewares and a good selection of everything.  Working from west to east, one first finds


Life's Second Chance which assists those with severe addictions (drugs).  Located on the south side of Fraser Way just north/east of the TC highway (can't get off/on the highway here).  Medium-large shop with a good assortment of everything.  Decent prices.  Free lot parking.

MCC Clothing Etc.

Less than 1 Km east on Fraser Way @ Countess is the original MCC thrift shop.  This one gets lots of contributions and has a good selection of everything.  Very good prices in general. Across the street is a Habitat for Humanity ReStore which, like Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island stores, mainly have home reno wares. Both  have free lot parking.  Ample is the case of the ReStore.




On the east side of town straddling the rail track are 4 thrift stores.  The smallest and most obscure is Hidden Treasures, operated by M2W2 which offers one-to-one peer counselling and support to prisoners ready for release and want to be rehabilitated.  Small store with a good assortment.  Free lot parking. Located on West Railway @ George Ferguson




There's Abbotsford Bibles for Missions on south on West Railway (opposite the tracks from the 2nd MCC and Salvation Army) which is affiliated but not grouped with the others in B.C.  Well-organised store, prices not as good as others but decent.  They price stuff that is good at a decent but not bargain price. Free lot parking.

MCC Centre

Across the tracks on Gladys Avenue is the 2nd MCC store which occupies a huge premise - probably the largest of any thrift store in B.C. along with a Ten Thousand Villages outlet, quilting workshop and a casual restaurant - all MCC activities, and the MCC's HQ offices in BC. It is spaciously laid out so not as densely stocked as one would expect.  Prices are good but again, not a bargain.  The volunteers search for prices on auction/resale sites and offer it at 1/3rd the going/asking rate. Lots of free lot parking.



A bit further south is the Salvation Army store.  Housed in the basement of a SA housing/shelter building, it is a bit dark.  Medium sized, prices not so good and selection is o.k.  Free lot parking.







There's a small thrift store which I will report on when visited.
(Update April 2017: There were actually two - Healing Grounds an Missions without Borders  but the former has since been closed and the latter sold to a private operator)


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