LANGLEY - One of Langley's oldest thrift shops is moving, which means good things for the Hospital Auxiliary, and a move for the Langley Arts Council.
The Penny Pincher is moving from its current location in the 20200-block of 56th Avenue to a new home at 20550 Fraser Hwy.The big change isn't in location, but in ownership. The Langley Memorial Hospital Auxiliary is buying the former bank building as a new permanent home for its thrift store."We're pretty excited about it," said DianeThornton, LMH Auxiliary president.The auxiliary has been saving for the move since it started a building fund in 2007, said Thornton.The idea was to quit renting, to eventually pay off the mortgage on a new building, and to then be able to put more money into the hospital itself."We figure it's also a good long-term investment for the auxiliary," said Thornton.The auxiliary managed to save enough for the down payment while still putting aside cash for the expansion of the hospital. They recently contributed half a million dollars to the new maternity wing.The new location, on the one-way section of Fraser Highway, will be more accessible to both customers and the volunteers who staff the Penny Pincher, Thornton hopes.While the Auxiliary is looking forward to its new digs, it means a move away for the Langley Arts Council, which has operated there for several years, showing art and hosting events.The Arts Council will have to find a new location by the end of the year, as they are expecting to depart between November and the end of December, said LAC head Diane GendronCooney. "We are looking for a new space and we are open to many different possibilities - all the way from just office space to space in which we can have a gallery, studios and gift shop, as well," said Cooney.She said the LAC would prefer to have a space where they can continue to invite the public, and can exhibit artworks by members, host musical evenings, and offer workshops."It has been an amazing opportunity for the Langley Arts Council to be in this space," said Cooney, who said it will be sad leaving behind the building.