The Castlegar and District Hospital Auxiliary Society kept its expansion options open when its new rock-solid facility was built in at 210 11th Avenue back in 2007. Their contractor, Cyril Sookachoff had finished the building in such a way that a second story could be added at a later date if the society so chose. They have since so chosen. Today there is twice as much to draw the value hounds and they’re making an appropriately big deal out of it.
They’re inviting you to an official grand opening celebration for the twice-as-nice Treasure Shop on Wednesday, August 20.
The store, as it appears today, is light years beyond it’s humble beginnings, as Hospital Auxiliary Society Chair Nettie Stupnikoff explained during an early morning tour before the store opened on August 7.
“When we got started people suggested we should go with two floors right off the bat. But being cautious, we thought it would be better to see how the first floor would do, and if that was going to work and there was interest in such a shop in our community, then we’d look at expanding.”
The completed structure, including an elevator and central air conditioning, is now ready to meet the needs and wants of the public as well as offering a more spacious and comfortable environment for the 60+ volunteers who operate the store.
The second floor houses ladies wear, and more closely resembles a high-end retail outlet than a thrift store. It’s the icing on the cake, so to speak, and the crowning glory of the store having the big opening event on August 20 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Light snacks and refreshments will be available.
Nettie Stupnikoff has a lot of people to thank for the way things have gone for the Treasure Shop, and at the top of the list are members of the public who support the Hospital Auxiliary funding source. “Because after all,” she concluded, “all the money raised is for health care and it all stays in the community.”