PHOTOS: Mustard Seed seeks donations for new Kamloops thrift store

(via Eric Thompson)

The Mustard Seed Thrift Store will be returning to downtown Kamloops this spring, but if the new coordinator has her way, you won't recognize that it's the same location that closed over seven months ago.

Diana Corriveau has been working to redesign the 346 Seymour St. store since December and is hoping to have it up and running in "late February, early March."

"It's come quite a long way since I've started here because when I first walked in here, I went, 'We're going to open what?'" she says. "When I heard there was a thrift store in here already, I couldn't believe it. We've got a lot of painting to do, but I'm so excited about it. I'm so anxious to open up this store, it's unbelievable."

Thrift City was closed under Mustard Seed's previous managing director, Diane Down, who said the store had been struggling for a few years. Corriveau comes into this role with 25 years of retail experience, including opening a Value Village in northern Ontario. After moving out here with her husband six months ago, she found the Mustard Seed job posting and it made all too much sense. 

"The fit was so perfect because I have my years of experience plus I have my faith. It was just a marriage that worked out well."

She wants to change people's experience at the store, giving it an "Urban Barn" look to encourage more pride in shopping there. However, there's still a lot of work to be done and they're hoping some local contractors and electricians might be willing to lend a hand with the renovations.

"I'm looking to have it uniform, clean lines, dark wood, white walls: a rustic feel," Corriveau tells KamloopsMatters.

Once things are up and running, Corriveau also wants to open a coffee shop in the front right corner of the store, with all of the proceeds going back into the Mustard Seed.

Of course, to get things operational, the store needs donations, which they are now accepting. If you have any clothing, décor, jewelry and small household items you no longer need and would like to find "a loving home," you can drop them off at 346 Seymour St. between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. (Monday to Friday) or at the 181 Victoria St. location between 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. (Tuesday to Saturday).

However, Corriveau says donations at Seymour Street no longer come in through the backdoor. They also won't be accepting large furniture anymore.

Once the store opens, there will be volunteer and employment opportunities available, including for patrons of the newly launched Men’s Sober Living Centre.

“Residents can volunteer nine to 12 hours per week for the first few months,” says Mario Borba, the non-profit's managing director, in a news release. “After volunteering for a few months there will be opportunities for them to be employed and all proceeds from the social enterprise will either pay for salaries or to be reinvested in the Mustard Seed programs.”