By Michael Bennett
Local Journalism Initiative
The Ridgetown Independent
The Salvation Army Thrift Store in Ridgetown is closing its doors after regular hours on April 25.
“Following a strategic review, The Salvation Army’s Ridgetown Thrift Store will no longer be operational effective April 25, 2025,” social media post read.
The post also stated donations will no longer be accepted after the closing date at the location.
The Salvation Army Chatham-Kent Ministries and the Salvation Army Canada jointly decided to close the popular second-hand store for financial reasons.
Billy Canning, manager of marketing and communications for Salvation Army Canada, responded to an email from The Ridgetown Independent News requesting more information, including the future of the food bank and other services provided to Ridgetown and East Kent residents by the Thrift Store.
“The Salvation Army Community and Family Services, including food bank operations, will not be impacted,” read the reply. “With gratitude and appreciation, we express our sincerest thanks for your patience and understanding throughout this process.”
Major Larry Bridger, Pastor of the Salvation Army Chatham-Kent Ministries, provided more clarity.
“We will continue to operate out of the same location for the time being,” Bridger said.
“We are actively seeking a smaller satellite office from which to operate, as we do in Blenheim,” he said.
The Blenheim food bank and its services operate in the Blenheim Baptist Church basement on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons.
Becky Hebblethwaite operates the food banks in both communities and oversees the various Salvation Army services, such as housing support, utility assistance, guidance and referrals to other agencies and supports.
Bridger said operation hours for its food bank and services will likely change down the road.
Currently, the food bank is open Mondays, Tuesdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., plus Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon.
“We will ensure that our clients’ needs are being met,” Bridger said.
The Salvation Army will still have Thrift Stores in Chatham, on the corner of St. Clair Street and Oxley Drive, and in Wallaceburg at 600 Lowe St., behind the Walmart store on McNaughton Avenue.
