SOS Thrift Shop - Parksville, BC SOS Thrift Shop - Parksville, BC
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SOS Thrift Shop

SOS Thrift Shop

The SOS Thrift Shop is an excellent place for the bargain hunter in all of us! All merchandise is donated from the community, and all of the net revenue generated from the Thrift Shop sales goes directly to SOS programs, initiatives and outreach.

On June 15, 2020, SOS Thrift Shop reopened with limited hours and procedures due to the COVID-19 crisis. Please note, face masks are mandatory when shopping at the Thrift Shop, effective August 25, 2020.

Please note that masks are mandatory in the store in accordance with the provincial health order. All donations are isolated prior to bringing them into the store for your health and safety. Due to capacity limitations, this means that once our quarantine area is full, we can no longer accept donations that day. Please consider bringing them back another day.

Thank you for your continued support and patience as we continue to work through the challenges that have come with the pandemic.

Your support is truly appreciated at this time and is helping us provide essential services to our residents. Thank you for helping us keep valuable items out of our landfill, for promoting ethical, sustainable shopping, and for supporting SOS as a local charity dedicated to improving our community.

The health and safety of you and our staff is a top priority to us, so you will notice some changes. Here’s what you can expect on your visit to the Thrift Shop:

Hours

Monday - Saturday, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm.  These reduced business hours will help us restock the store and maintain enhanced cleaning requirements with just our staff on the premises.

Enhanced cleaning procedures:

We will be cleaning high-touch areas frequently.

In order to limit the spread of viruses, we have added hand sanitizer stations and our staff team will be wearing facemasks.

Important details about shopping:

  • Do not enter, if you are sick.
  • Wear a face mask.
  • Please use the hand sanitizing stations at the entrance and exit doors.
  • Once inside, please follow directional signs.
  • Sorry, changed rooms are closed at this time due to the pandemic.
  • Please stay 6 feet away from other shoppers, and staff, at all times.
  • All incoming donations have been isolated prior to being put on the sales floor; however, we recommend that you wash and/or sanitize your purchases.
  • Please avoid touching merchandise unless you intend to purchase the item.
  • Change rooms and washrooms are closed for your safety.
  • Tap debit and credit transactions are preferred; please avoid using cash.
  • New shopping bags will be provided.  Sorry, we will not be handling or using reusable bags.
  • We are limiting the number of shoppers for your safety. Please limit your visit to 20 minutes so that other customers have the opportunity to shop. Please help us ensure everyone gets a chance to come in and find some treasures.
  • Sorry, there are no deliveries available.

Important details about Thrift Shop donations:

  • Drop off your donations during opening hours, 9:30 - 3:30, Monday - Saturday.
  • Sorry, no furniture or large appliances will be accepted for donation at this time due to our limited capacity to store isolated donations.
  • When our storage containers are full, we cannot take any more donations that day until those items have gone through an isolation period. We are sorry for the inconvenience and we hope you will consider coming back with your donations. 
  • Please ensure your items are clean and in working order.
  • Please maintain a distance of 6 feet from SOS employees.
  • Sorry there are no pick-ups available.

Thank you again for your patience as we do our best to operate in this new normal. 

SOS could not continue providing community support without valued supporters like you. Thank you for helping us ensure that everyone has a safe, enjoyable shopping experience at the best Thrift Shop on the Island.

The SOS Thrift Shop has over 18,000 square feet of:

  • Clothing
  • Linens
  • Shoes
  • Accessories
  • Jewellery
  • Small appliances
  • Household items
  • Books
  • Toys

Collectables and art are also available. The Boutique department offers fashionable clothing at affordable prices. Gift certificates are available.

Donations are gratefully accepted at 188 West Hirst Avenue, Parksville (at the back of the building) Monday - Saturday, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm. 

The Thrift Shop is open Monday through Saturday, 9:30 am - 3:30 pm. Closed Sundays and holidays.

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SOS Thrift Shop

18,000 square feet of deals.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you carry...?

At one time or another, we carry just about everything you could possibly imagine. Our 18,000 square foot Thrift Shop has furniture, appliances, clothing, jewellery, toys, books, sporting goods, housewares, electronics and, the list goes on.

Our merchandise changes from hour to hour, so be sure to visit our store frequently for the latest finds.

Do you do estates?

We can accept donations from an estate, but we do not provide service for managing estate clearances.

Do you have books?

We have a very large book department which contains thousands of books and magazines. New titles arrive daily.

If I have an item that is in good condition, will the Thrift Shop take it?

SOS takes most saleable items, however if there is an item that we know from experience won’t sell on the floor, or we have an over abundance of that item, we may decline it.

Is it true that 95 cents of every dollar goes back into the community?

Yes, amazingly, 95 cents of every dollar spent in the SOS Thrift Shop is invested back into our community. Our friendly and hardworking volunteers help us to achieve this.

What hours are you open?

We are open 6 days per week, Monday through Saturday 9:30 am-3:30 pm.

What if I think an item is overpriced?

SOS Thrift Shop prices are set based on experience and research into brands and pricing. The prices are non-negotiable, and the money raised from purchases are used to fund community programs and services that residents rely on. We are happy to offer merchandise for all budgets, from a $2 shirt to a $400+ piece of furniture. If you are in financial need, you can call our Emergency Assistance and Advocacy Coordinator at 250.248-2093 ext. 241 to make an appointment to discuss your needs, and we may be able to assist  you. We encourage residents to shop local, recycle, reuse, and support our community, but we understand if you feel you can get a better deal elsewhere.

 

What type of donations DO you accept?

We accept the following saleable donations:

  • Clothing, shoes, purses
  • Housewares, furniture * Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic, we are unable to accept furniture and large appliances until further notice.
  • Small electrical appliances
  • Electronics
  • Jewellery
  • Books
  • Towels, linens, curtains, fabrics, pillows
  • Sports equipment, toys, board games

What type of donations DON'T you accept?

Unfortunately, we are unable to accept the following items for donation:

*Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are unable to accept furntiure or large appliances. 

  • Soiled/torn clothing or linens
  • Soiled/torn mattresses/furniture
  • Items that are broken or do not work
  • Outdated electronics such as tube televisions
  • Paint and building supplies
  • Fluorescent tubes/fluorescent light fixtures
  • Mirrors without a frame
  • Child cribs with drop-down sides

*We also may have to decline items if we have an abundance of them in stock, 
or experience has shown they will not sell, despite their good condition.

Where are all the clothes?

UPSTAIRS! We have 7500 square feet of floor space dedicated to clothing, shoes, hats and purses. Our book department and linens are also upstairs.

Will you pick up furniture?

Normally, we pick up items in good condition. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are not able to pick up items. We also cannot accept furniture and large appliances for the time being.

 

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Thank you for joining our SOS Family!

We are very grateful to have you with us. Thanks to compassionate people like you, SOS is meeting needs and improving the lives of our friends and neighbours in District 69. You can expect valuable emails from us on a regular basis, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Learn how SOS became the heart of our Community:

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Positive Reviews:

  • Thank you for arranging a drive for my medical appointment... I really appreciate your cheerfulness...

    ~ a safely transported client

  • Not since the banquets of Nero... has such a meal been served on golden plates!

    ~ a delighted diner

  • The program was most helpful, empowering, and valuable.

    ~ a self-help participant

  • I have become more dignified and stable.

    ~ a community member enriched

  • This is the best day of my whole life.

    ~ a child's first picnic

  • Besides the hardship assistance, subsidized children's programming and vouchers... you have given us the greatest gift... respect, compassion, and dignity.

    ~ a family helped

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