About a year after moving to its new location, Mission Thrift Store Sarnia will celebrate its grand opening this weekend.
A celebratory event is scheduled to take place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the store, located at 595 Murphy Rd.
Kara Pippy, marketing director of BFM Foundation Canada and Mission Thrift Store, said a grand opening was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
To mark the event, a 50 per cent off storewide sale will be held on Saturday. Attendees will also have a chance to win a $100 gift card.
Many local dignitaries are expected to attend the grand opening, including Sarnia-Lambton MP Marilyn Gladu, MPP Bob Bailey, and Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley. Pippy said they're hoping to have a virtual reality set-up at the event as well.
"Mission Thrift Store has a joint ministry partnership with Bible League Canada and so all of our net revenue goes to support programs in over 40 countries around the world. With this virtual reality experience, anyone who's interested can put on this headset and be transported into one of these countries."
Some of the programs offered in other countries include adult literacy, children's ministries, and faith-based initiatives.
Pippy said the Murphy Road site is larger than Mission Thrift Store's previous location on London Road.
"We've got a really great facility, it's in a high foot-traffic area with lots of visibility, and a really great retail floor," she said. "We always say that the three ways you can get involved with us are to shop at our stores, donate your gently used goods, and volunteer."
Mission Thrift Store is a non-profit Christian organization with 52 locations scattered across Canada.