The Salvation Army Thrift Store has opened its 40th store in Ontario, launching a nearly 10,000 square foot location in downtown Peterborough that blends affordable retail with community support and textile reuse. The new store at 81 George St. N in Peterborough opens on November 27, 2025, giving local shoppers a new thrift destination while helping fund social programs across Canada.
New downtown Peterborough location
The new Peterborough thrift store is located at 81 George St. N in the city’s downtown core, positioned beside other everyday retail and close to key neighbourhood amenities. The space spans nearly 10,000 square feet, offering enough room for clearly merchandised racks, home sections, and seasonal displays that encourage longer visits and discovery-driven shopping.
Store hours run Monday to Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., with donations accepted daily during operating times, making it easy for residents to shop and drop off items in a single trip. The opening also marks the return of a Salvation Army thrift presence to Peterborough after the previous store, located in the Brookdale Plaza on Chemong Road, closed in 2021.
40th Ontario store and national footprint
This Peterborough launch marks the 40th Salvation Army Thrift Store in Ontario, a milestone that reflects steady expansion of the organization’s resale network across the province. Nationally, the thrift operation, run by The Salvation Army Thrift Store – National Recycling Operations, now counts 95 Thrift Stores across Canada, alongside additional donor-focused locations.
Each store fits into a broader system where value-focused retail, community donations, and social programs are tightly linked. By adding another large-format space in Ontario, the organization strengthens its ability to serve local shoppers while directing proceeds into frontline services.
Assortment and in-store experience
The new Peterborough store carries a wide mix of gently used clothing, household items, electronics, art, books, and more, aimed at individuals and families looking for both essentials and unique finds. Racks of apparel, from everyday basics to outerwear, are complemented by aisles of kitchenware, small appliances, décor, and media, giving the store broad appeal across age groups and budgets.
Because donations are accepted daily, the assortment is expected to refresh frequently, rewarding repeat visits and regular “treasure hunters.” With almost 10,000 square feet of space, the layout can accommodate larger furniture pieces and bulkier household items alongside more traditional thrift categories.
Meeting budget and sustainability needs
Managing Director Ted Troughton said the team is “thrilled to open our doors in Peterborough” as more people look for ways to stretch their budgets while making sustainable choices. The thrift model gives shoppers access to lower prices than typical retail, making it a draw for students, young families, and anyone watching their spending.
At the same time, the store encourages reuse by extending the life of clothing, textiles, and household goods that might otherwise be discarded. This combination of affordability and environmental benefit aligns with broader consumer shifts toward secondhand shopping as a first choice rather than a last resort.
How purchases support local programs
Every purchase and donation at the Peterborough thrift store supports The Salvation Army’s mission of “giving hope and transforming lives.” Revenue from the sale of donated items helps fund local programs such as food banks, shelters, rehabilitation services for people facing addictions, and emergency relief efforts.
Ted Troughton said each new store opening is more than an expansion, describing it as an opportunity to make a difference in the communities served. The grand opening celebration at 10 a.m. on Thursday, November 27 invites donors, guests, and partners to see firsthand how the retail space connects directly to social impact.
Textile diversion and circular fashion role
Beyond funding programs, The Salvation Army Thrift Store operates as one of Canada’s largest textile collectors in the charitable sector. Over the last year, the organization diverted more than 80 million pounds of clothing and household items from landfills through its network of thrift locations and recycling channels.
This scale of diversion supports a circular approach to fashion and home goods, where items are reused and rehomed instead of entering the waste stream.
