Thrift Store in Kenora being closed down

The Salvation Army in Kenora is closing down it’s Thrift Store.

As of March 20th, the doors of the Main Street outlet will be closing.

Community Ministries Director Stuart Walter says it just doesn’t make financial sense to keep it open.

“The bottom line to break even for the Thrift Store we had to be making $3,500 plus, every single week,” explains Walter.

“In this fiscal year, we just haven’t been doing that. We’ve only had one week this fiscal year, and that includes in the summer when we were fully staffed and open all day.”

Walter says instead, they will focus on their food bank at their Matheson Street location.

“Right now, we’re just trying to focus on what’s really important and where the biggest need is here in Kenora, which is the food bank. Last year, we saw almost 2,100 people, which is a 10 percent increase on 2024 and a 10 increase on 2023, so we’ve gone up 20 percent over the past two years.”

Walter adds they will still have clothing available at their office on Matheson Street South in cases of emergency.