Habitat for Humanity has announced the closure of its Kamloops ReStore.
The ReStore is a home and building supply store that provides a source of revenue for the charity, which builds homes for people in need. The non-profit services communities in the Central and Northern Interior of British Columbia.
The ReStore inventory and operations will relocate to Salmon Arm.
The announcement follows a recent move from their longtime former Kamloops location in Southgate to the North Shore.
“We were very excited to move to the 800 Fortune Dr. location and it’s unfortunate the decision had to be made,” Habitat for Humanity Kamloops executive director William Miller said in a press release.
“Habitat Kamloops will maintain its administrative and operational offices there [Fortune Drive] but relocate the ReStore inventory and operations to the Salmon Arm location.”
The release said the decision came down to a downturn in the economy, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the shifting of consumer shopping habit impacts. Major donations and local drop-offs have declined, the release stated.
In addition, Habitat for Humanity has faced challenges with multiple break and enters, broken windows and issues of people sleeping in doorways and camping on the property.
The release furthermore stated the move to Fortune Drive was a temporary decision, with the site to eventually be redeveloped.
Kamloops This Week reached out to Habitat for Humanity for comment but did not hear back before press time.
