Staff members at the MCC Thrift Shop have encountered an influx of customers in recent months prompting the store to expand in size.
On Saturday, a long line of shoppers greeted the Mennonite Central Committee’s store reopening in the 2900 block of 32 Street Northeast.
Barbara Weins, an MCC Thrift Shop volunteer, says tough economic times have many Calgarians looking for ways to save money.
“We have a very diverse shopper base. We have the ones who are coming in because times are tough and we hope that what we sell here is good quality and affordable for them,” explained Weins. “Almost month after month, we can see an upward trend in the amount of shoppers and also in the total sales.”
MCC Thrift Shop has been operating in Calgary for more than four decades. The store originally opened in a small location in Inglewood.
Weins says purchases of the store’s second-hand goods help support great causes, both at home and abroad.
“The proceeds that come from our sales are going directly to developing countries,” said Weins. “AIDS projects, education and water projects.”
“We also have some projects right here in Alberta including some services for our First Nations people.”
The store’s reopening comes at a time when a number of Albertans are struggling financially including those who have had their severance or Employment Insurance benefits run dry.
