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(DANA REYNOLDS / iNFOnews.ca)

KAMLOOPS - A new thrift store coming to town will be sending proceeds to the dogs, and cats.

Bonnie McBride is planning to open up Second Chances Thrift Store in the spring with funds from the shop going to the B.C. SPCA. While the plan is to open the shop in Valleyview, a specific location is proving difficult.

“We’ve been working with the SPCA since November,” McBride says. “We’re so ready to start, we’re just waiting for that magic spot; we’re looking for a big bright spacious place.”

The store will be part social enterprise and part retail venture, with some proceeds going to the B.C. SPCA. The organization has franchised 13 other stores in the province McBride says, but this will be the first in Kamloops. When the organization asked for expressions of interest McBride jumped on the opportunity as she’s been a volunteer there for decades.

While the city has other thrift stores with proceeds going to charity, like the Salvation Army, New Life Mission’s Thrift City and Flutter Buys supporting the Kamloops Hospice, McBride says this will be the first in the city supporting an animal charity. It’s also filling a niche in Valleyview.

“That’s one of the reasons we’re looking at Valleyview locations, there’s nothing on the east end of town like that,” she says.

A physical location hasn’t been decided, but McBride has some aspects already planned, like an area for upcycling classes, showcasing pets for adoption and projects with the local B.C. SPCA branch.

With the local SPCA branch planning a new centre, funds from the timing is important as well.

“We are in the middle of a capital campaign in our community,” she says. “It’s a good time to come in and give them a boost with another revenue stream.”

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