A store many people rely on is closing its doors. The Salvation Army Thrift Shop in Canandaigua is shutting down for good at the end of the month.
It’s a loss that hits hard for some customers. The store is a popular stop for many, but for others it goes deeper than just good deals – it is a necessity for their everyday life.
Stan Eliasz, Jr. is an Army veteran who served in Desert Storm. He has lived in Canandaigua for more than 20 years, getting around on foot and, many days, stopping at the Salvation Army shop on Main Street.
“You get good clothes, and the price is very reasonable,” he told 13WHAM.
He admits money is tight, and that the store helps keep his head above water.
“They’re a community asset, no doubt about it,” he said.
A statement from the Salvation Army headquarters states that the first priority of the store was to raise funds to help those in need, but, “current circumstances have made supporting these programs impossible.” The statement went on to say the decision to close the store was not made lightly.
“It’s just really sad,” said shopper Johannah Fawver. “It’s been open for years.”
Fawver was shopping Monday, finding clothes for her infant daughter. Soon, she too will have to find a new place to do so.
“It’s always been here, and it’s always been nice,” she said.
A petition calling for the store to remain open now has more than 1,000 signatures.
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