Let's Normalize Giving Pre-loved Gifts

Let's normalize giving gently loved gifts... while supporting community initiatives, reducing waste, and saving money doing it!

Thrift stores are treasure troves of goodies, and we have some pretty great ones in the Comox Valley, each with their own unique and wonderful community focus. Here are some of our faves.

Too Good to Be Threw - Run by the Comox Valley Transition Society, which supports the growing needs of women, children and families in our community. Here you can find clothing, footwear, dishware, linens, various household items, furniture, and more!

Salvation Army -  Having started over 100 years ago, the revenue from these stores provides financial assistance to those in need, access to foodbanks, shelters for people experiencing homelessness, emergency disaster relief and crisis support, as well as a voucher program which allows individuals and families in need to shop for items in our stores free of charge. We have a couple Salvation Army Thrift Stores in the Valley, and you can find clothing and footwear, among many other household items. The one on Ryan Rd has more furniture, if that’s what you’re seeking!

Laketrail Community Thrift Store - Mathew Townsend saw a need in our community for a place that everyone could afford. So he opened this store about 4 years ago to help fill that need. Everything in the store is $2! Because of this, sometimes it's hard to keep the doors open, so if you want to see places like this continue, be sure to pop by and seek out a treasure or two. There’s clothing, footwear, dishes, books, furniture (some is in a special $5 area), and we even spotted an elliptical machine on our last visit. Don’t let the packed exterior fool you, there are some gems to be found here!

ReStore - The money generated from this store goes to support Habitat for Humanity home-building projects. Every time you purchase something, you're helping fund a new home for someone in your community who is in need. The ReStore is filled with furniture, lighting, flooring, tools, dishware, jewelry, sound systems, exercise equipment, appliances, artwork and so much more (depending on the day, things will vary, but this place is packed!).

Auxillary Thrift Shop (Comox) - This shop supports the Auxiliary Society for Comox Valley Healthcare, which raises funds for patient care and comfort in the Comox Valley. The first thing you’ll notice about this place is how well organized and tidy it is, thanks to the wonderful volunteers. There are a few different rooms, each with their own theme of clothing, footwear, household items such as dish/cookware and linens, books, games, and more.

CATS Thrift Corner (Comox) - This organization advocates for lost and relocated cats, rescues stray and feral cats in need, and helps to reunite cats with their owners and provide loving homes or barn homes when needed. Every purchase supports the rescue and care of cats in need. This place is smaller than some, but well curated with great household items like dishes, cookware, and decor, as well as puzzles, picture frames, and some artwork. As an added plus, there are some very sweet kitties you can say hello to on the way in & out (and maybe even apply to adopt!).

There are more, but this is a great list to get you started at giving back to the community with your gift giving… and you’ll help the earth and your wallet in the process!