Salvation Army closing Family Thrift Store
PRESQUE ISLE — With rising operational costs and declining sales taking their toll, The Salvation Army’s Family Thrift Store, located at 377 Main St., will be closing its doors on March 22.
The religious and charitable organization has operated the Family Thrift Store at this location since 2011 but has struggled over the past year with a decline in sales revenue.
The store has offered gently-used clothing, furniture and other goods to the community at bargain prices.
The decision to close was not an easy one and, eventually, the challenge of keeping the operation alive became insurmountable.
“We, as Salvation Army leaders, are always mindful of our resources and the need to utilize them to help the most people in need,” said Major James LaBossiere, divisional commander for The Salvation Army in the Northern New England Division. “With the direction the Thrift Store was taking there would have been a serious impact on our programs and services.”
LaBossiere indicated that the decision to close was made collaboratively with local leadership in Houlton and Divisional Headquarters in Portland.
The Salvation Army Houlton Corps oversees the operations of the Family Thrift Store.
In addition to the Thrift Store, the Houlton Corps serves people living in the community as well as nine surrounding towns.
The Salvation Army will continue to serve needy men, women and children in Presque Isle through its Service Unit program, a network of volunteers that assist people in areas where there is not a Salvation Army facility. In Presque Isle, The Army’s volunteer network provides temporary and emergency assistance to families and individuals in need of food, clothing, fuel, utilities and more.
