Note: This article has been updated since it was first posted online to correct the last name of Mission board chair Martha Otten.
There was a lot of love in the room for Mission Thrift Store at its official grand opening in its new location on Valentine's Day, Feb. 14.
Speakers during the ribbon cutting ceremony all had good things to say about the store and how it brings the community together, sharing memories and good wishes for the non-profit's staff and volunteers in its new home in the former Ponoka Legion building on Highway 2A.
"This thrift store is more than just a place to shop. It is a mission," said Mission board chair Martha Otten.
"Through our work, we are able to support the Bible League and provide for our community and keep valuable items from going to waste," she said.
"Our hope is that this new location will allow us to serve Ponoka even better, reaching more people and meeting more needs, providing a welcoming space for people to find affordable goods, support meaningful causes and experience the love and generosity that this store represents."
Ponoka and District Chamber of Commerce president Sherry Gummow said a few words, congratulating Mission on their new building and helping people to reduce, reuse and recycle.
Mayor Kevin Ferguson spoke about him and his wife being newlyweds on a budget.
"Thirty-six years ago, we could barely rub two dimes together, and thrift stores were the places in which we had to shop, and we were grateful for them," said Ferguson.
"And of course, as we moved on in life and got a little more successful, we found out that there's some really cool stuff in these stores."
He spoke about how he's always greeted warmly by staff and volunteers, receiving a "thousand-watt smile" each time.
"When I walk in here, even if I don't buy anything, and I walk out, I feel better than when I came. And that's important," he said.
He related a story about a friend of his who was very sick, and how they chatted for 45 minutes at Mission Thrift Store, in the previous location, on one of her good days when she was out of the house.
"Whenever I think of her ... the last best moments I had with my friend were in that thrift store," said Ferguson.
"So when we talk about building community, that's also what we're talking about as well."
"Isn't that appropriate that you're in a a second-hand building?" said MLA Jennifer Johnson in her remarks.
"I was raised on secondhand clothing. My children were, and they are all adults now, and they're doing the same thing," she said.
"W need to re-purpose. We need to reuse. We need to keep this out of the landfill, and it is cheaper, too. And that's great for especially young families starting out, like it was with us."
" I never want to forget where this building came from. I never want to forget the sacrifices that they made for our country," said Mission general manager Leigh Taylor, calling up members of the Ponoka Legion Branch No. 66.
Taylor read the words to a plaque that will be installed in the store, commemorating the legion's legacy.
The legion members in turn donated framed photos of when the building was first constructed 35 years ago, saying they were glad the building would continue to be used in a way that serves the community and will be run by volunteers, as the legion is.
