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Thrift shop in Clive gets new location

Elite Treasure Chest is a community-driven venture
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NEW HOME - Louise Bell

BY ERIN FAWCETT

Lacombe Express

The former Valley Thrift Shoppe in Clive has found a new home.

Now renamed the Elite Treasure Chest, the thrift store is still on Main Street in Clive, but it has moved north of the post office.

“We have run a thrift store on and off in Clive for 10 years. We have never had a permanent home but this looks like it could be a more permanent home for us,” said Louise Bell, coordinator of the Elite Treasure Chest. “It’s a much bigger place so with that comes larger bills and if we can manage to operate the store effectively we can probably have a permanent home. Going into this building we have done a tremendous amount of work - not in terms of cost, but in terms of time to make it look presentable.”

The shop is completely community-driven and run solely by volunteers, which Bell thinks adds to the quality of life in the area. “One hundred per cent from what comes in the door, to what goes out the door and whatever we have, we give back to the community,” said Bell. “It is totally supported by the good will gifts from the community and the surrounding area.

“People need to shop local in order to keep a small community like Clive alive. If you want to see some amenities in your community you have to support it in any way you can. The more you can shop local, the more you provide stability to that community.”

In addition to the larger space for the thrift store, there are also market stalls available as well. There is also a clean bottle drop off on site.

“The market space is very exciting and something brand new to our community,” said Bell. “It gives us a little bit of a chance to shop at home and from people who have spent a lot of time and pride making things.”

Money made at the Elite Treasure Chest goes directly back to the community of Clive. Of course bills for the thrift store are paid first, but any money after that goes to a variety of needs in the community.

“If there is an individual with needs we can give direct items from the store to them. As well if we know that a family has a need, we are able to help them too,” said Bell. “We go from an individual, to family to groups or clubs that need assistance in our community, to any community project. We especially look towards community projects that benefit a number of people.”

The Elite Treasure Chest is open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

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