A large chain of thrift stores is opening up a huge store in Port Coquitlam next week.
Value Village has announced its grand opening for Thursday, May 19.
Beginning at 9 a.m., the store — located at 985 Nicola Ave. — will be offering a large selection of clothing, books and housewares as it stakes a foothold in the north east suburb of Metro Vancouver.
The large format store is in the former Home Outfitters store in the Dominion Triangle, which was shuttered in 2019.
It goes head to head with Value Village stores in Coquitlam, as well as charity-based stores, such as Salvation Army in Port Coquitlam and Crossroads Hospice Thrift Store in Coquitlam.
Founded in 1954, Value Village is a privately held international secondhand store chain that operates as part of the Savers, Inc.
On its Facebook page, Value Village is getting some push-back for not re-opening change rooms and for higher prices.
Yet, Value Village says it is an important part of the recycle, thrift, donation circle, is affordable for young people and others on modest incomes, especially now as inflation is biting into the consumer dollar.
According to its 2020 report Thrift Proud, new clothing is the leading contributor to pollution and is the second-largest consumer of water worldwide.
As shoppers consider the impact of their own clothing footprint, they’re more likely than ever to shop thrift, the website states.
