Salvation Army opens huge store in Shoreline with ribbon-cutting

The band played and people gathered
to celebrate the grand opening
Photo by Mark McVeety

The Salvation Army unveiled its new Family store in Shoreline with a public dedication and ribbon-cutting ceremony on Thursday, September 25, at 8:45am. 

After a brief ceremony, the formal ribbon cutting was attended to by Chamber of Commerce Administrator Jan Vance, program participant Jason, Army Major Mark Nelson, and Shoreline Deputy Mayor Chris Eggen.

Jan Vance, Jason, Major Nelson, Chris Eggen
cut the ribbon on the new Shoreline store
Photo by Kevin Pontsler

"Jason is a current participant at The Salvation Army Drug and Alcohol Rehabilitation Center. Since the stores directly fund the rehabilitation center, is is our tradition to have someone currently in the program participate in any grand opening."

The Salvation Army Brass Ensemble played
Photo by Kevin Pontsler

The Salvation Army band played, the canteen served coffee and cookies.

Shoppers received reusable bags, and door prizes.

Mark McVeety of Shoreline Community College was the first customer.

"I got some Asian spoons and serving bowls. I gave them a 5 that they said they would frame. Later in the day I bought 2 subwoofer speakers, my wife bought 3 purses, a jacket, a rug and brought a friend who bought a ton of stuff. Fun day!"

The door prizes and shopping bags (first 50 customers) continue on Saturday, 9am to 8pm.

Staff and sales associates
The store is like a large discount department store
Photo by Kevin Pontsler

The new store is an expanded and upgraded version of the organization’s famous thrift stores. 

“This store reflects the new model of The Salvation Army’s Family stores. It is less like the old thrift stores of the past, and more like a large discount department store,” said Captain Timothy Rockey, Salvation Army officer and director of the stores in Shoreline and Seattle."

The new store, located in former Big Lots in Aurora Square, (entrance from Westminster Way) will have 20,000 sq. ft. of shopping space, with an additional area where donated items will be received, processed, and prepared for sale.

Lots of merchandise
Photo by Deborah Seger

Merchandise will be added to the floor daily. With donations being collected at the stores in Shoreline and Seattle, plus picked up at donor’s homes, there will be a steady flow of new products. 

The average “life” of an item donated to The Salvation Army is between 7- 14 days and most items are sold within 48 hours of delivery to the store. 

“On any given day approximately 50% of the merchandise in the store has been there for less than one week,” added Captain Rockey.

All sales benefit the Army Adult Rehabilitation Center
Photo by Deborah Seger

The Salvation Army has a long tradition of operating successful Family Stores throughout the country. Each store, including the Shoreline store and its counterpart in Seattle SODO, are operated as part of The Salvation Army’s renowned Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC). The program, with its Washington headquarters in Seattle, receives all of its operating funds from the store. It is a six-month, residential program, offered for no cost to the participants. Last year, more than 1,000 men and women participated in the program, which includes physical, emotional, spiritual and professional drug and alcohol rehabilitation.

“A new store means more product, more sales, and more people helped” explained Captain Timothy Rockey, Director of the store and the Adult Rehabilitation Program. “The sales from our new store in Shoreline, like our store in Seattle, directly impact our ability to help more men and women overcome addictions.”

Campbell Nelson got into the act
Photo by Deborah Seger

Store shopping hours are 9am to 8pm Monday through Saturday. Donations will be accepted at the back of the store from 9am to 8pm Monday through Saturday. The store will be closed on Sundays.

 The Salvation Army was founded in 1865 when William Booth decided to take his ministry into the streets of London where it would reach the poor, the homeless, the hungry and the destitute. It is now part of the universal Christian Church, and an international organization meeting human needs in 126 countries around the globe.

The Salvation Army continues its tradition in Western Washington by serving more than 400,000 people annually, always meeting human needs without discrimination. 

Among the services offered in this state are rent/ utility/ gas assistance, food pantry, clothing, disaster relief services, day care centers, summer camps, holiday assistance, services for the aging, medical facilities, shelters for battered women and children, family and career counseling, vocational training, correction services, and substance abuse rehabilitation.