One of the North Shore’s thriftiest yet most giving shops is back, at a shiny new location that will be familiar to long-time patrons.
The Auxiliary to the Lions Gate Hospital Thrift Shop has re-opened in North Vancouver, after its former home at 128 15th St. West shuttered in 2022 to make way for redevelopment.
But regulars won’t have to go searching far and wide for the new store, as it’s now located just a block away at 132 16th St. West.
The new Auxiliary had a soft launch on Nov. 25, but is inviting thrifters to a grand opening celebration Jan. 25, from 1 to 4 p.m.
As they welcome the community back to the shop, festivities will include door prizes, refreshments and shopping specials.
Stepping into the new store, customers will be treated to modern flooring and lighting, accompanied by the same charming staff and sensible prices that have kept people coming back to the business for decades.
Securing the current location was a bit of a challenge, explains Auxiliary chair Aren Evers, as the organization had to find a space that accommodated the retail and donation aspects of the business, ideally in a familiar spot.
After some delays with permitting and building materials, they were finally able to reopen in November, continuing a legacy of stores supporting Lions Gate Hospital that dates back more than 100 years.
Now at its fifth address, the born-again thrift shop was an instant hit, attracting a lineup of 20 customers on opening day despite no advertising, Evers said.
“It’s beautiful,” she said, describing the new interior.
“With a blank canvas we were able to get the help of retired architect Dave Galpin who donated his time. He guided us through the permit process, the building out and designing of the perfect location for us,” Evers said.
Flocks of returning customers a testament to the store's legacy
While the store’s style has been updated, its staff have not. Nearly all the volunteers and two part-time employees have returned.
That includes local legend Helen Galan, a 93-year-old powerhouse who volunteers as the Auxiliary’s amicable “bouncer” at the front door.
“It’s all the same faces, which is nice,” Evers said.
Something else that hasn’t changed is the value for dollar.
“We kept our prices, that’s what I heard from many of our customers,” Evers said.
Customers have told her how they’ve shopped elsewhere, but that it’s too expensive.
“We raised [prices] 50 cents per item at most,” Evers said.
Fortunate for the Auxiliary is the apparent lack of need for an advertising budget. The gossip about town is doing that work for them, at local coffee shops and hair salons.
“Everyone is telling everyone,” Evers said. “Most of the people coming in are regular clientele.”
Despite a long, two-year wait, Evers said she’s really proud of what the organization has accomplished with the new store.
“All of our customers have returned,” she said. “That’s a testament to what we do.”
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