in Chatsworth, Grey Highlands, Southgate, West Grey
July 23, 2024
BY SOUTHGEY.CA STAFF — Deborah Loree a volunteer with the Centre Grey General Hospital Auxiliary stands in front of the Pennywise Thrift Shoppe. The store has been forced to closed since the Canada Day long weekend.
The former Hospital site in Markdale next to the Pennywise store was broken into and several items were stolen, including copper pipe. The Pennywise Shoppe volunteers were told that there was no longer water available in the building and they have to close.
Brightshores Health System owns the hospital and Pennywise property, and told the Auxiliary that they had to find another location by August or September but the break-in forced an early closure of the site.
The Auxiliary is looking for a new space to operate the Pennywise store. A large area with store space, parking, office and sorting areas are required. There is no room available at the new hospital for the shop.
The Auxiliary has over 54 members of which over half are active members. In addition to operating the Pennywise the auxiliary operates the café at the new hospital and volunteers at day surgery. "The Pennywise Thrift Shoppe has raised over one million dollars for the hospital since they started in 1953," said Deborah Loree the Auxiliary publicist. They receive a lot of support from the community.
The bin at the Pennywise is taped shut as they can no longer accept donations until a new location is found for the store. Markdale's available properties are at a minimum.
If anyone can offer a location for the Pennywise Thrift Shoppe please contact Deborah Loree at 905-703-5445 or email.
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