It won't be a happy Easter for the Salvation Army Thrift Store.
The Salvation Army's B.C. division has announced it will close the thrift store at 441 Third Ave. SW, which adjoins the Lighthouse emergency shelter, on Thursday, April 17.
The division states in a news release it is closing the store after three years "due to circumstances beyond the control of the organization."
The thrift store will no longer be accepting donations.
However, the closure will bring opportunities, according to the news release.
After the store shuts down, "the Salvation Army Family Services in Salmon Arm will be relocating its services and operation to the vacated thrift store location. By relocating services to the vacated space, the Salvation Army will be able to expand current programming and allow for maximum potential."
A day drop-in centre will also be established in conjunction with the night-time emergency shelter.
Captain Sheldon Feener of the the Salvation Army New Hope Community church states the church is thankful for the support of the community and for the services of the other thrift stores in town – and will continue to encourage and help them.
"While the closing of our thrift store is a difficult decision, we are confident that expanding our community services will allow us to offer even greater support to those who are struggling and in need of support in Salmon Arm."
The Salvation Army asks that donations to its thrift store be redirected to the Churches of Salmon Arm Thrift Store, the CMHA Hudson Thrift Shoppe and Kindale Thrift Store. The Kindale Thrift Store held its official grand opening at 885 Lakeshore Dr. SW just a week ago.