Josefin Svedberg
Rossland News
On Saturday, October 18 the Rossland Health Care Auxiliary Thrift Shop held a grand reopening to celebrate recent renovations.
Last spring, black mold was found in the ceiling. Dave Braithwaite and crew implemented the extensive renovations to improve the previous store. The most significant change is the brand new stairs.
“Now every thing is bright and clean and our new stairs are awesome,” says President Joan Hanson. The stairs were previously located in the back corner with a path past the sorting room, making it tricky for both thrift shop volunteers and customers to have a pleasant shopping experience.
The stairs were narrow with a low ceiling and a bend which made it almost impossible to meet in the middle of the stairs and see if anyone was coming from the other direction.
“We have a room just for sorting now,” explains past president Sharon Hansen. Customers had to walk past the room during the previous store layout, making it difficult for them to keep their hands away and to let the volunteers do their job.
“We use everything we can by selling items, making rags, redirecting clothing and recycling,” adds Hanson. The Rossland Health Care Auxiliary also donates their money to the Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital Foundation and other health care organizations in Rossland and Trail.
The organization gets a list from the hospital and can decide which things on the hospital’s bucket list they want to contribute to.
“We want to know where the money is going,” says Hansen.
During the reopening, the thrift shop was filled with excited shoppers who took part in the celebrations. There was a ribbon cutting ceremony, a kids fishpond, and cake and drinks were served.
The store has extended their hours and is open on Wednesdays and Fridays as usual, and on Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m..