Salvation Army is on the move

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Published on Friday, October 13, 2017

Neepawa’s Salvation Army manager Amanda Naughton-Gale is about to oversee a move to a new location.

Eoin Devereux
Neepawa Banner & Press

After years of numerous starts and stops, Neepawa’s Salvation Army is ready to go with its relocation. The charitable organization’s thrift store will be moved out of its existing location at 309 Davidson, into a new space within the former Co-op building, by the end of the month.

The new space, located on Mountain Avenue, is 6,000 square feet (sq. ft.), with 3,000 sq. ft. exclusively earmarked for retail space, 1,300 sq. ft., more than their current location. The new location will also offer an improved sorting and delivery area, food bank area, change rooms, office space, as well as a staff and board room. Neepawa and area Salvation Army manager Amanda Naughton-Gale said that reaching this point in the process has been a long time coming.

“It’s been about three and a half years in the making. Actually, almost four now, since it was decided that we needed a bigger space. The operations were growing and just didn’t have the space for the amount of donations that were coming in,” stated Naughton-Gale. “The process has taken a fair bit of time. It’s really difficult when you are looking at purchasing a portion of a building. So, that type of legal stuff has taken the most amount of time, but it is important to ensure all that is settled and all sides know exactly what’s required. We’re past that now and we’re ready to settle into our new space.”

With the process of relocation technically completed on paper, it’s now time to move ahead on the actual physical move. Naughton-Gale said they have been shifting some of the stock over to new building over the past couple weeks, but added that their main move will begin shortly. She said they’d welcome any support from the public for this stage of the work.

Photo by Micah Waddell
The exterior of the Neepawa Salvation Army’s new location, the former Co-op building at 342 Mountain Avenue.

“We’re getting into that process of mass chaos, where we need bodies to help with moving stock over and sorting and pricing. We’re going to need some strong backs to help with the movement of fixtures and things like that from over here to our new home. Really, we’re in that need right now, so if people have some time to help us, that would be much appreciated’, indicated Naughton-Gale. “Between October 16th and 27th, we’ll be looking at doing some heavy-duty moving. Between the 23rd and the 27th, we hope to have the old location completely done with. We will actually be closed for that entire week, in order to focus just on the other store. We will be accepting donations starting the week of the 16th at the new building at 342 Mountain Avenue at the south end. There is a loading door and a buzzer where these items will be accepted. Anyone interested in volunteering during the move is asked to contact (204) 476-5869 or drop in at the old location. Naughton-Gale said they’re sure they’ll be able to find “something for you to do.”

As for the grand opening in the new building, Naughton-Gale said they’ll be holding a ribbon cutting on Tuesday, Oct. 31 at 2:00 p.m. She added that many people across the community have expressed excitement about the Salvation Army’s big move.

“There are a few volunteers who have already seen the new space and they’re excited about it. There have been many regular customers, as well, who have told us that they can’t wait to see how [the new location] looks. It’s just great to be at this point and to have a place where we can work with our clients, where people have space to shop. It’ll be a welcome addition to the community, for sure.”