PORT HARDY—A Port Hardy thrift store is getting an upgrade.
Outside of the Port Hardy Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop, construction equipment has been laying the foundation for an addition to the store. This addition, built onto the back of the store, will become the new storage and sorting room. The current sorting room, which is cramped and crowded, will have its walls knocked down and become an extension of the shop itself.
"This is much needed," said volunteer Alice Chisholm as she made her way through the cramped sorting room.
This is not the first extension the thrift store has received. The store started out at a different location on the beach, but moved to its current address on Main Street in 2001. In 2005, the garage-like building was given a front entrance, and pictures of the construction grace the walls of the store.
The thrift shop is not-for-profit and its staff is made up entirely of volunteers. The money it makes is donated to the hospital, and the store has made numerous donations to the hospital and fire and ambulance stations that have paid for beds, medical equipment, uniforms and redecoration.
"They give us a wish list and we try and fill it," said volunteer Phyllis Cox.
Open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Monday - Saturday, the Port Hardy Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Shop is happy to take clean donations.