In September 1981, St. Mary’s Hospital Auxiliary opened its Thrift Store at the current address on Cowrie Street. The old building was replaced in 1987.
Now, 210 volunteers receive, sort and sell gently-used clothing and small housewares for a reasonable cost. Profits are used by the renamed Sunshine Coast Healthcare Auxiliary to support major equipment campaigns like the CT scan and furnishing rooms for the new hospital addition, as well as fulfilling yearly wish lists of equipment requests for the hospital, home care and Shorncliffe/Totem Lodge. In the past five years, the Thrift Store has accounted for an average of $424,000 per year towards the work of the Auxiliary.
The current building was in urgent need of updating to provide a safer and more comfortable environment for both customers and volunteers. After a consultative process with both volunteers and community experts, a two-phase plan was approved.
The first phase, involving the retail space, was accomplished over a two-week closure between Dec. 23 and Jan. 10.
Coastal Dream Builders, RJS Electric, Sechelt Signs and Choquer & Sons Machine and Welding have worked their wonders and the Auxiliary is excited to welcome back customers, donors and volunteers to the new space. Phase two, the back receiving and sorting area, has yet to be scheduled.
The Sunshine Coast Healthcare Auxiliary Thrift Store is looking forward to another great year of serving the community and supporting health care on the Coast.
