Kemptville’s Salvation Army Thrift Shoppe Reopening in Expanded Location 

Customers can once again shop in person at The Salvation Army Thrift Shoppe in Kemptville. The store originally opened in November 2020, but two COVID-19 closures prevented an official grand reopening celebration, until now.

Moving into a former Giant Tiger location has expanded the store to 7 500 sq. feet, which is twice the size of the previous location. The building’s total size is 13 000 sq. ft. and the remaining space will be the future home of a larger Salvation Army church.

“It is located in an area with better visibility in the central hub of the town, which is really great,” said Kemptville Salvation Army Church Pastor Erin Wong.

“We just wanted everything to be finished and we’re really fortunate that pandemic restrictions are easing just in time for the grand reopening.”

For now, the future church space has been converted into a larger food bank facility, as the numbers of those accessing services has tripled since COVID-19 began. Food bank clients each received a $5 gift certificate for the thrift store to welcome them back to the new location.

To get the store ready for customers, volunteers and thrift store staff set up the new displays and stocked shelves with merchandise. Contractors, staff, and volunteers were recognized with awards for their hard work in prepping the store.

Staff handed out tea, coffee, beverages, and pastries from under a large tent at the grand reopening celebration. Salvation Army personnel on hand included Pastors Calvin and Erin Wong, Area Commander Major Tina Rideout, Divisional Secretary for Public Relations Glenn van Gulik, and Divisional Corps Ministries Secretary Major Chris Rideout.

Wong said the thrift store in Kemptville is needed more than ever to fund Salvation Army programs and services. Like many communities in Ontario, Kemptville has seen an increase in house prices, as homeowners are relocating from Ottawa. That jump in real estate prices is impacting the availability of affordable housing and rental properties in the town.

“The people from the church are invested in the mission and they understand how the store supports meeting the needs of the community and the difference it makes for those in need,” Wong said.

To provide financial support to The Salvation Army, donations can be made online at www.salvationarmy.ca or by calling 1-800-SAL-ARMY, where donations can also be directed to a specific program or location.

By Chris McGregor