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Wednesday, February 28, 2007 · Page 15 Thrifty shoppers brave cold weather Leamington's economic direction to be announced Guest speakers will be announcing the economic direction that the municipality of Leamington will be taking over the next few years during an event hosted by the Leamington and District Chamber of Commerce. event, entitled The Prosperity in Motion, will be held March 2 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Leamington Roma Club at 19 Seacliffe Drive East. Guest speakers include Leamington Mayor John Adams, Chief Administrative Officer Bill Marck, Economic Development Officer Anne Miskovsky and Director of Community Services John Tofflemire. The speakers will address issues affecting the economy and business community in Leamington. Those in attendance will be encouraged to come and listen, learn and ask questions about the area's economic growth. Tickets are $15 and include a buffet lunch. To order tickets, call Chris or Wendy at 519-326-2721 or e-mail wendyp@leamingtonchamber.com. Salvation Army Thrift Store supervisor Sue Robson, left, Major Paul Gilbert and Major Alfred Richardson cut the ribbon outside the new location on Talbot Street Thursday. A crowd of eager shoppers braved chilly temperatures or the chance to be first inside the new shop. BIA Sweetheart Draw winner BY DANIEL SCHWAB A crowd of eager shoppers withstood chilly temperatures Thursday, lining up outside the doors of the Salvation Army Thrift Store on Talbot Street. Before they were allowed inside, Essex Salvation Army Major Paul Gilbert and divisional commander Major Alfred Richardson led a ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the new shop, praising the staff for its efforts in relocating the store from its former spot on Centre Street. "This is more than just an ordinary store, it's a place of refuge," Richardson said. "It's a place to feel welcomed and special." The reason behind the move was that the old location was getting cramped and staff members were having a hard time storing and displaying the merchandise. The new location provides more storage space and better parking, Gilbert said. "The old store was just too small for us," he said. "I guess you could say, we've outgrown it. We were receiving a lot of donations and we couldn't display them properly, especially things like furniture." Staff started the moving process during the first week of January, finishing the task in about three weeks. Now, the new store's aisles are full of clothes, toys, books, videos, appliances and various nicknacks. Next month, the Salvation Army hopes to open its family services base, which will include a food bank, in a room adjacent to the store. Gilbert says it'll be a place where people in need can come and receive clothes, furniture and general assistance. It will be one of about 50 food banks in the Ontario Great Lakes Division, which extends north to Goderich and east to Burlington. Six other thrift stores have recently opened in the division, Richardson said, helping to generate funding for the Salvation Army ministry. "Community is generous" Since the original Essex Salvation Army Thrift Store opened on Gordon Street in May 1998, local residents have been "very generous" with donations, Gilbert said. After a fire burned down that first store in April 2002, the staff relocated to Centre Street two months later. Recently, an abundance of donations forced staff to look for an alternate spot, finally settling on what Richardson called, "an ideal location." "It's very central and much expanded in terms of space, so it should do a lot to provide good quality second hand clothes as well as generate funds for the food bank," he said. Richardson said Salvation Army thrift stores in smaller towns usually do well, particularly where they are connected with a church setting. There are 35 churches in the Ontario Great Lakes Division, as well as 25 social service centres, half a dozen hostels, two homes for pregnant teens and two long-term care facilities. Laura Miller of Cottam is the winner of the Essex BIA Sweetheart Draw. She will receive a certificate for overnight accommodations for two at the Pelee Days Inn, with dinner theatre and breakfast. She also received $50.00 in BIA bucks to spend in Essex. E-mail: with your comments at: essexfreepress@on.aibn.com ESSEX BIA NOTICE TO MEMBERS: The 2007 budget is ready to be sent to Town Council for approval: If you wish to review it, you may call the BIA office at 519-776-9811. Or email at bia@townofessex.on.ca. Budget will be sent to Council for approval March 8, 2007 Cheryl Skilton, Chair ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7, 2007 at 7:00 P.M. ESSEX RAILWAY STATION GUEST SPEAKER ~ KEN TURNER All Refreshments e. will be served. Welcom Heritage Essex 87 Station St., Essex, ON. TONY MALKOWSKI SECRETARY INC.