Liverpool’s Salvation Army Thrift Store has shut down.

The shop would sell donated items and use the money to help people in need throughout Queens County. Their doors have been closed since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic last March.

Spokesperson for the Salvation Army, Capt. Jamie Locke says shuttering the location wasn’t an easy decision but they needed to consider the drag it was creating on their resources.

”A Salvation Army Thrift Store is intended to have a two-fold purpose," Locke said. "One of supporting community with a low-cost shopping experience and the second, and perhaps a very important element of Salvation Army Thrift Stores, is they raise funds in support of our community and family services programs.”

Locke says without income, it’s difficult to keep their programs available.

“If a thrift store is not performing and able to raise funding for our community and family services then we simply just cannot continue to operate it," he said.

Locke didn’t have the number at hand, but says any employees would have been let go and volunteers will be redirected to the Salvation Army’s other charitable work in Queens.

The Salvation Army provides people with help finding food, clothing and housing.

Locke says it seems their organization really comes to the front of people’s minds when they operate their kettle campaigns and toy drives at Christmas.

“At Christmas we’re able to provide support through food hampers and also toys for children at Christmas. We’re quite grateful to the community of Liverpool for stepping up every year," he said.

Locke assures residents the Salvation Army isn’t leaving Liverpool.

He says new officers have been appointed to take on leadership of the Salvation Army church and community family services.

“Majors Wayne and Betty-Ann Pike will be joining the leadership team of the Salvation Army team in September," Locke said. "We’d also like to say thank you to captains Dennis and Mary Mayberry for their work in the community and wish them well as they move on.”

Locke understands closing the store is a loss to the community but is hopeful residents who can, will continue supporting their charitable efforts by shopping at the store in Bridgewater.

Reported by Ed Halverson 
E-mail: edhalversonnews@gmail.com
Twitter: @edwardhalverson