Seniors thrift store and boutique bowled over by new location

When the words “no steps” were uttered, volunteers broke into spontaneous applause at the announcement that Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors  will be moving to a new location – in Picton’s former bowling alley.

“We’ve been operating at 281 Main Street since 2002,” said Debbie MacDonald Moynes, Community Care’s executive director.  “It’s a good location, right between AV Frame & Photo and Books & Co. but we just grew out of it. With the clothing on the second level and storage in the basement our volunteers did a lot of carrying things up and down the steps.”

An opportunity to rent the old bowling alley, at 153 Main St., beside Crowe’s Footwear, came to the fore.

“We took possession on March 1st and there’s going to be lots of work done by our amazing volunteers to get things ready for the April 1st opening.”

The new location boasts 4,000 square feet of retail space.

Last fall Community Care temporarily moved the clothing to 165 Main Street, calling it The Boutique. Both the Boutique at 165 Main and the Thrift Shop at 281 Main will close at 4pm on Saturday, March 22 for the move to take place that week.

“Watch for a sale of left over fixtures, shelves, and other items at 281 Main Street sometime in the days to come” said Debbie Manlow.  There will be other days in March when one or the other location will be closed she notes Manlowj. “We’re hoping our customers and donors will be patient during the transition.”

“Community Care has wonderful volunteers who are committed to this effort to raise funds to help seniors live at home,” said Ken NOble, treasurer for Community Care. “The funds raised at Community Care’s Thrift Shop are essential to the agency.  We are grateful to the community members who donate the inventory and the enthusiastic and tireless volunteers who work in the shop. There are no paid staff working in the Thrift Shop and 100 per cent of the money raised stays here in The County to help seniors.”

Starting April 1 the new shop will be open Mondays 1-4pm and Tuesday to Saturday 10am-4pm selling used clothing for the whole family along with books, records, housewares, linens, furniture, toys, games, shoes, etc. Donations of good used items are gratefully accepted.  New volunteers are always welcome.  Call 613-476-7493 if you can give three hours a week to help.

The Prince Edward County Community Care for Seniors Association offers services such as Meals on Wheels, transportation to medical appointments, noon-time dinners for seniors, foot care, help with forms (including Income Tax), respite for caregivers, home maintenance, rural route reassurance and telephone reassurance programs.  The agency is partly funded by the Ministry of Health & Long-Term Care through the Local Health Integration Network and supported by donations and community fundraising efforts, such as Community Care’s Thrift Shop soon to be at 153 Main Street in Picton.

For more information call Community Care at 613-476-7493 or www.communitycareforseniors.org

Paper covers the huge front windows of Community Care’s new Thrift Shop located at 153 Main Street while much activity takes place inside to ready for the April 1’st Grand Opening.