The Brandon MCC Thrift Shop has been enjoying the additional floor space, and with the Christmas season their shelves are full of decorations and more!

Store Manager, Shelly Burrows, says things picked up when the Province deemed thrift stores an essential service, and they’ve been able to remain open since mid-December of last year.

“We had a 3-year expansion project that finished two days before the pandemic hit and we had to close up shop,” explains Burrows. “So, right now we’re just learning what it’s like to be in a bigger space and see what is normal.  We’re not sure what normal is yet,” she laughs, “but we’re adapting and we’re growing, and things are starting to feel like what they were prior to the pandemic.”

“But it’s been a slow start,” she shares.  “People are just beginning to get out and be in the public.” 

 

“For shopping, it’s been steadily growing and I’m just so very thankful for all the wonderful customers we have and all the wonderful donors that we have, and the awesome volunteers who make the effort to come out and face the unknowns as they come into the work place wearing the masks and using the cleaning supplies and so forth.”

When the thrift shop expanded to include the neighboring building, the receiving area was moved to the west side of the building.  Burrows says this has tended to be a bit confusing for their donors, especially with added safety restrictions.

Burrows adds they accept donations at 9:00 am each weekday and Saturday morning, however with the limited space they fill up rather quickly, so its best to call ahead and arrange a scheduled time for drop off.

Burrows says they have a truly great volunteer base, but there’s always room for more.

“I don’t think there is an organization that can’t use more volunteers.  So, if you are interested in volunteering, find somewhere where you can find a good fit and give back to the community and that’s a great thing!  We really value our volunteers and appreciate all the hard work that they do.”

 “Everybody has tried hard and everyone has done a wonderful job adjusting and adapting to all the changes,” adds Burrows.