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New West thrift store hits the mother lode with spicy donation

What's happening Around Town? Thrift shop receives an "unbelievable" donation of salt and pepper shakers
Salt and Pepper New to You Thrift Store
Salt and pepper shakers of all shapes and themes are finding temporary homes at the New to You Thrift Store in New West.

If you’re looking to spice up your kitchen, a local thrift store is the place to be.

Lorrie Williams, a volunteer at the New to You Thrift Store, said the shop recently received a donation of salt and pepper shakers – lots of them.

“We got about 1,000 pairs of salt and pepper shakers. They are all over the store. They are everything you can imagine,” she said. “They are so cute.”

Williams said the sets were donated by the family of a woman who had been collecting salt and pepper shakers for many years. The sets range in price from $2 to $5.

“We have only put out a certain number at a time because we just don’t have enough room. We have some stored in boxes,” Williams said. “We want everybody in New Westminster to come and buy a salt and pepper shaker. Please come!”

Lindy Kirkwood, president of the Royal Columbian Hospital Auxiliary, said a woman donated about 25 boxes of her mom’s shakers to the thrift store last month, and they’re being put out on shelves as space allows. Some are in excellent condition, while others aren’t in perfect shape or may be missing their stoppers.

Fruits, birds, houses and animals (everything from dogs to horses to penguins) are among the shakers found in the woman’s collection.

“People do give us their collections. But as long as I have been there, in the five years I haven’t seen anything like this,” Kirkwood said.  “It was unbelievable. It’s kind of a fun thing.”

New to You Thrift Store raises money for equipment and services at Royal Columbian Hospital. It’s located in uptown New West at 706 Sixth Ave.

For thrifting folks, other thrift stores currently operating in New Westminster include:

* BC SPCA New West Thrift Store, 708 Sixth St.

* St. Barnabas Thrift Store, 1010 Fifth Ave.

* Salvation Army Thrift Store, 774 Columbia St.

* The Treasure Chest (operated by the Canadian Mental Health Association), 435 Sixth St.

* Value Village, 1135 Tanaka Court, Suite 110.

Did we miss you? If you operate a thrift store in New West, drop me a line at [email protected] so we can update our list and include your shop in any future lists.