Even though the rule has forced the non-profit Fibromyalgia Well Spring Foundation to leave town, founder and executive director Cheryl Young agrees with a Langley City decision to limit the proliferation of thrift stores.
“There’s too many of them,” said Young, whose foundation has operated a thrift store and offices in a strip mall at 206 Street and Fraser Highway since 2009.
But when new owners of the mall raised the rent, finding a new location nearby was not possible under recently-adopted City regulations that forbid new thrift stores within 400 metres of other second-hand shops.
“Our thrift store can’t move anywhere else in the City,” Young told The Times.
Instead, the foundation has found new premises at 2978 272 St. in Aldergrove, in a building that used to house the Salvation Army thrift store before it moved a few blocks down the street.
Young said the plan is to have the new location operating Feb. 1.
The Fraser Highway location will stay open until the last Friday of January.
Young admits to some disappointment at the move, but doesn’t have a bad word to say about the City council.
“We love the City,” Young said.
“We just love the mayor and the council here, they’ve been very good to us.”
Young said the foundation thrift store has never been profitable, but it serves a purpose of encouraging people to drop in and learn about fibromyalgia.
“It’s not just a thrift store, its the offices of the foundation,” Young said.
“We’ve never made money on the the thrift store, ever.”
Young said the foundation has been working with B.C. Housing to start a lodge to help people with fibromyalgia who require supportive living, and youth at risk.
“We expect our first home will be in the Township of Langley,” Young said.
The foundation is looking for a large house with room for eight apartments and a couple of acres of land.
On Feb. 5, the foundation will hold a moving fundraiser at Bob’s Bar and Grill at 27083 Fraser Hwy. from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Entertainment will be provided by Nigel Tucker, with a 50/50 draw, silent auction, ticket basket draw, candy jar and Toonie toss.
Cost: $20 a ticket for adults and $10 for children. Call 778-278-3697.
