Inside the lower level of the Church of the Holy Spirit at 1 Promenade des Veterans in Edmundston, New Brunswick, a modest thrift shop does double duty as a discount clothing source and a lifeline for families facing food insecurity. Thrift Store Edmundston, reachable at 506-735-8712, is not run for private profit. It operates as a social enterprise tied to a local charitable effort, and the money raised at the register goes directly back into the community rather than into a corporate ledger. Shoppers who walk through the entrance on the right side of the building will find racks of donated clothing alongside household goods, all priced to move quickly and stay affordable for residents of the Edmundston area and nearby Madawaska County communities.
The store’s donated inventory changes constantly because Edmundston residents are encouraged to drop off unwanted items at the very same location where they shop, creating a simple, closed loop between giving and buying. That local donation cycle is part of what keeps prices low and turnover high, since the shelves and clothing racks are restocked by the community itself rather than by a distant warehouse. Within the same building, the operation also runs La Boutique Vestimentaire, a dedicated clothing boutique arm, giving shoppers two related but distinct ways to find secondhand apparel under one roof. The organization additionally supports recycling initiatives, extending its mission beyond simple resale into broader waste reduction for the region.
What sets this thrift shop apart from a typical secondhand store is where the proceeds go. Revenue generated from sales helps fund a food bank program serving Edmundston, meaning every purchase of a used sweater or a set of dishes contributes, even indirectly, to stocking shelves for families who need groceries. This dual purpose, retail on one hand and food security support on the other, is a distinguishing feature that separates Thrift Store Edmundston from big box secondhand chains, and it gives shoppers a concrete local reason to choose this store over alternatives when they are looking for affordable clothing or home goods.
The shop keeps a tight, predictable schedule, open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., which makes it easy for regulars to plan a visit around the work week or a weekend errand run in downtown Edmundston. Being housed within a church basement rather than a standalone retail unit also keeps overhead low, which in turn supports the store’s ability to keep prices accessible for lower income shoppers, students, and anyone furnishing a home on a budget. The location near the Promenade des Veterans puts it within easy reach of central Edmundston, a city that sits along the Saint John River near the Quebec and Maine borders, making the store a convenient stop for residents throughout the tri state corner of the province.
For anyone in the Edmundston area looking to stretch a budget while also supporting a local food bank, Thrift Store Edmundston offers an easy answer: a community run thrift shop where every donated item and every purchase helps put food on a neighbor’s table.
