One of Victoria’s longstanding thrift stores is bidding farewell.
The Salvation Army Thrift Store, nestled on Johnson Street, will shutter its doors for the last time on Saturday, March 23rd, marking the end of an era.
A spokesperson for the Salvation Army Thrift Store confirmed the closure.
“We regret to advise that we will be permanently closing our Victoria Thrift Store at 525 Johnson Street on March 23rd, and we will continue to gratefully accept donations until March 31st,” read a statement provided to Victoria Buzz.
While this closure marks the end of an era for the century-old location, the Salvation Army Thrift Store assured patrons that other Greater Victoria locations stand ready to welcome them.
“We encourage the Greater Victoria community to shop and donate at our nearby Thrift Stores and Donor Welcome Centres, which are within a 5 – 15 min drive away and are ready to welcome our Guests and Donors with a wonderful shopping and donating experience,” said the spokesperson.
The closure of the Johnson Street store holds significant historical weight.
The Salvation Army’s presence in Victoria dates back to 1897 when its first food and shelter facility, known as The Salvation Ark, opened on Cormorant Street.
Over the years, the organization’s reach expanded, leading to the establishment of the Johnson Street location in 1918.
Initially serving as a shelter, it later evolved to include a thrift store and light industrial operation, providing employment opportunities for shelter residents.
The Victoria community witnessed further expansion in 1956 with the opening of Harbour Light on Yates Street, dedicated to the treatment of alcoholism in men.
Subsequent redevelopment in 1980 saw the demolition of the Johnson Street facility to pave the way for a more streamlined operation, incorporating the Harbour Lights Centre and a halfway house for men.
Renamed the ARC (Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre), the revamped facility has been a cornerstone of support for the community, housing 147 beds and offering services aimed at combating addiction.
Despite the closure of the Johnson Street thrift store, the ARC’s commitment to serving the community remains the same—the multipurpose facility makes every effort to give its residents the opportunity to live in a safe drug and alcohol-free environment.
As Victoria bids farewell to a beloved thrift store, patrons are encouraged to explore other Salvation Army locations in the area for their shopping and donation needs.
For further information, including operating hours, visit thriftstore.ca/locations.
For those in the Victoria area, alternative Salvation Army Thrift Store locations include:
- Hillside: 990 Hillside Avenue
- Saanich: Quadra Street
- Cedar Hill: 1551 Cedar Hill Cross Road
While no details were provided regarding the reason for the closure, several employees have indicated that staffing shortages were one of the contributing factors.
