Chris Stedile
Castlegar News
A Castlegar family of five is looking to give back to the community through their newly opened ‘free’ thrift shop.
Located at 2225 6 Avenue, the Kootenay Under-A-Penny Store is officially open for business Tuesday, Feb. 3. Business hours fluctuate but are expected to be 9 a.m. to 3 p.m..
Under a penny? Isn’t that just free? That’s exactly the premise of the thrift shop, explained owner/manager Skyla Murphy.
Anyone is welcome to come to the thrift shop and take home any of the kids or adult clothing. Donations are accepted but not mandatory.
“I’ve always wanted to give back to the community,” Murphy said, “and I figured if I ever won the lottery I would open this place and that would be my way of paying it forward. It’s always been something I’ve had in the back of my mind that I was going to do and one day I decided, why keep waiting for the lottery to make the choice, so I opened it.”
The shop currently has no shortage of staff with her husband Kevin helping out along with the three little ones, Owen, Jaxon and Mace.
The children are eager to help and know everything they do in the shop is for a good cause.
“I wanted these guys to learn a different way of life and give back to the community as well,” Skyla said.
Currently, Skyla and family are looking to achieve not-for-profit status to help keep the shop running. She is hopeful the status will be granted to her. “We’re not asking for anything in return, I think it will work.”
Anyone looking to donate to the store or needing more information should visit the Facebook page, Kootenay-Under-A-Penny Store or call 304-0680.