LACONIA — For 13 years, shoppers have been able to find bargains on necessities, or maybe treasures they didn’t realize they needed, at the Salvation Army thrift store on New Salem Street. The store also generates the lion’s share of the revenue that funds the religious organization’s community service projects.
It appears this will be the last year for the store’s operation at that particular space, as the property is about to change hands and the buyer isn’t interested in continuing a lease arrangement with the thrift store.
“We are in the process of trying to relocate the store,” said Salvation Army Capt. Chris West, who along with his wife Heather oversees the Laconia operations.
The Salvation Army’s thrift store has been on New Salem Street since 2011, West said — it was on Pleasant Street prior to that — and it serves a critical role in the church’s local service efforts. Those efforts include the operation of the Carey House shelter, food services, summer camps for children, Christmas gifts and afterschool programs. West said proceeds from the store represent about 60% of the local Salvation Army budget, with the rest coming from individual donations and fundraising drives.
West said he was “saddened” by the situation, and concerned a significant disruption to store operations would require a “downsizing” of the organization’s charitable efforts.
A spokesperson for 77 New Salem Street Realty LLC, the listed owner of the property, confirmed a sale of the property is being finalized, and the prospective buyer has plans that don’t include retail leasing.
West said his organization is “scrambling” to try and find a new location for the store.
“We are looking for a property that is big enough to house us, with at least 10,000 square feet. We would like to stay local, we are looking for a long-term situation,” West said. “We want to be at a location that we can be for many, many years to come.”
West said he would be willing to rent or to purchase.
“It was definitely unforeseen, it was shocking for us to hear this news, we didn’t see it coming. We are trying to deal with it now so we can start trying to serve the community again,” West said.
In addition to generating revenue for programs, the thrift store offers a place for people to buy things they need at a fraction of what they might cost at a conventional retailer. It also offers a way for people to dispose of items they no longer want or need, without having them go into a landfill. The store offers clothing, household goods, electronics, toys, and lots of books, West said.
“We are very grateful and thankful for all the ones that have shopped and donated at the thrift store over the years. We are doing everything we can to find something to continue those services,” West said.
One of the store’s fans is Cindy Westhoff, who lives within walking distance of the shop and said she regularly visits.
“They have food, we’ve bought skis here, we have bought so many things here, and then you can bless the ministry by shopping here, it just keeps the giving going,” Westhoff said. On Thursday, she was perusing the furniture section, hoping to find a bed frame to give to a relative who was moving into a new home.
“We need this place to continue,” Westhoff said.
(2) comments
has the store already closed? if not, when is the expected close date.
Hopefully the new store will be located locally as there are soo many folks that need this store within walking distance of downtown
Welcome to the discussion.
Log In
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.