The Salvation Army thrift store in Langley City is going out of business and will be closed by March 21, a spokesperson for Salvation Army National Recycling Operations said Thursday (Feb. 19).
Madisyn Mckee said the store was unable to renegotiate its lease with the owners of its current home, the Langley City Square mall at 19868 Langley Bypass.
The mall is being redeveloped to update it’s outdated look by refurbishing six buildings to accommodate an unnamed anchor tenant.
Mckee said the thrift store is trying to find another location in the Langley City area.
Close to 20 employees would be affected by a store closure.
“We are doing everything we can to accommodate those affected and make sure there is as little impact to them as possible,” Mckee told The Times.
“The staff are a wonderful group of people with lots of thrift experience, who we care deeply about.”
Mckee said people who want to make donations should visit other Salvation Army thrift stores in Port Kells at 19733 96 Avenue, and Surrey at 7155 138 Street.
There is also a Salvation Army store in Aldergrove at 3111 272 Street.
Langley City Council approved a development permit to overhaul the mall in December.
The planned changes by the developer, Wesgroup Properties, include new landscaping, signage and extensive improvements to facades on buildings fronting the Bypass, while buildings at the back of the property will get minor upgrades.