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St. Paul’s Thrift Shop moves online during pandemic

Due to it’s proximity to Abbeyfield House, the thrift shop is unsure when it will be able to re-open
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St. Paul’s Thrift Shop has closed its doors for the time being, to protect the residents of Abbeyfield House. In the meantime, stock is available for perusal online. (File photo)

While St. Paul’s Thrift Shop may not be accepting donations during the COVID-19 pandemic, locals can still go thrifting through the store’s new online platform.

With a full list of inventory available for perusal, orders can be placed and picked up from an acceptable social distance.

“We’re really anxious to open again, but with trying to keep everyoen safe, it’s going to be a little longer,” said Jackie Casey, who manages the popular thrift shop.

The switch to an online platform has allowed the store to continue operation, although Casey admits that business has slowed down a bit.

“It’s been pretty good, it’s not as busy as we normally would be, but it’s getting rid of some of our inventory,” said Casey.

Orders can be placed online, with customers coming to Casey for same day pick up. Packages are left a distance away from her house, to ensure that proper social distancing requirements are being met.

Gift cards can also be purchase for the online thrift shop, so that those without credit cards can also purchase goods through their online platform.

Read more: St. Paul’s Thrift Shop’s year of fundraising

Re-opening the thrift shop poses a unique problem, as their close proximity to Abbeyfield House makes re-opening the store difficult to navigate.

Because of their attachment to the senior’s home, they aren’t able to have anyone who doesn’t belong to the home coming around the back to visit the shop in person. While the thrift shop may fall under the title of a store, they need to follow the social distancing and isolation requirements of Abbeyfield House to help protect it’s residents, who are considered to be at high-risk during the pandemic.

“Right now we have no idea when we can re-open, it really does depend on the restriction on visitors to seniors homes,” said Casey.

“That’s what will dictate when we can open the shop again.”

According to Casey, St. Paul’s will keep Golden residents informed on their progress towards re-opening through Facebook.

“We’ve had a lot of inquiries about when we’re re-opening and things like that and we’re doing our best to keep the community updates with what we know so far,” said Casey.

“We don’t want to be forgotten.”

The thrift shop is also working towards finding a away to accept donations and are in the process of trouble shooting a few ways to accept used goods throughout the pandemic.



Claire Palmer

About the Author: Claire Palmer

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