Tri-City thrift store shoppers will soon have another shop where they can pick up second-hand clothing and household items.
Value Village announced it will soon open a large retail outlet at 985 Nicola Ave., in the Dominion Triangle shopping district in Port Coquitlam.
A sign has been posted at the location to let the community know the store will be arriving soon — making it the third Value Village in the Tri-Cities.
The Tri-City News reached out to the for-profit company for more details but has yet to receive a reply.
Still, the City of Port Coquitlam confirmed that a building permit was taken out for improvements for a Value Village store on the site, of which the former tenant was Home Outfitters.
In 2019, the Hudson's Bay Company shuttered all its Home Outfitters stores.
COMPETES WITH SALVATION ARMY
But while the large store will draw interest from shoppers, another thrift store hopes customers will continue to use its services.
Salvation Army, a charitable organization that recently opened a store at Shaughnessy Station, says it depends on revenue from the branch to support local needs.
"Since opening our Port Coquitlam Thrift Store 30 years ago, we are proud to provide a welcoming place to shop and donate while helping generate funds to support programs such as emergency disaster services, shelters for people experiencing homelessness, food banks, and many more, while also contributing to greener communities through recycling and reuse," stated district manager Maytte Abad in an email.
Abad also noted that the local Salvation Army provided more than $8,300 in clothing and household items from its Port Coquitlam store to nearly 90 individuals and families in need last year through its voucher program.
"We would not be able to make these positive impacts without our guests and donors who are helping us build stronger communities together every day, and we urge the Port Coquitlam community to continue supporting us as a non-profit when shopping and donating thrift.”
BIG MARKET FOR SECOND-HAND RETAIL
The new Value Village is opening just as thrift store and second-hand bargains become increasingly integrated into the retail market.
According to the U.S.-based ThredUp, where people can purchase items online, people are happy to purge their closets, shop for unique finds while also helping to recycle materials that might otherwise be tossed in the landfill.
In its 2021 market report, ThredUp states that the second-hand market is projected to double in the next five years, reaching $77 billion.
In addition to big box stores, such such as Value Village, shoppers are buying and selling their own clothing and goods online, using apps such as Facebook Marketplace, as well as ThredUp in the U.S. and Poshmark in Canada, among just a few.
Still, like the Salvation Army, many non-profit organizations derive some of their revenue from second-hand thrift.
However, the cost of maintaining a building and staff can sometimes be challenging in a competitive market.
In 2019, Share Family and Community Services had to shutter its long-running thrift store in Port Moody.
However, Crossroads Hospice Thrift Store, in Coquitlam, is another thrift store in the area that generates revenue for programs that provide compassionate care to individuals with life-limiting illnesses, their families and other loved ones.
