Children’s Thrift Sale of Kingston set to take place this Saturday

Considered to be one of the largest events of its kind, the bi-annual Children’s Thrift Sale of Kingston will be held Oct. 17 at the Thompson Drill Hall in CFB Kingston.

The sale boasts a wide variety of gently used clothing, toys and baby items. Products can be found for children as young as newborns to teens. There is a $2 admission fee for adults. Children under 12 are free.

Close to 100 vendors will be present, mostly from the military community, with an attendance of over 1000. Members of the public also gather for this large-scale event.

Committee Chair for the event, Renee Lupien, warns that people start lining up early to purchase big ticket items.

“You have people who want to purchase the bigger or expensive items. They line up early because they want to get good deal on those items,” said Lupien.

But when the sale opens at 8 a.m. Lupien says the line moves fast so attendees shouldn’t “use the line as a discouragement.”

A large portion of the proceeds collected from the fee registration for vendors, admission and the sale of the reusable shopping bags go back to the military community through the Kingston MFRC. The spring sale proceeds allowed $4,500 donated to the resource centre.

There are no business vendors at the sale. Though most of the items are gently used, with some digging you can find new items that vendors have brought in.

“Sometimes we buy things for our kids or we get presents that don’t fit or fit properly, or the children didn’t like them so you can find new clothing in their as well,” said Lupien.

It is encouraged to take a look at the Hall map before arriving so shoppers can navigate their way through the tables arranged by categories and sizes.

The sale started off with a small group of military wives in a basement in the fall of 2002. Intended to be a “mom to mom sale,” the military wives knew children quickly outgrow outfits and it becomes difficult to store through multiple postings.

“ A lot of children outgrow it before they outwear it, so it’s nice to be able to buy good second-hand clothes and then not have to store all of that when you’re constantly moving,” explained Lupien.

Lupien, herself has been a part of the Children’s Thrift Sale for eleven years, first as vendor then volunteer and now Committee Chair.

“We definitely have some good bargains on really excellent clothes. We ask people to bring in quality items. It’s definitely worth a visit and it’s a great way to start your Christmas shopping early. Children’s toys are expensive. It is truly a great sale, not to be missed if you have children,” said Lupien.

This is a cash only sale and attendees are encouraged to bring their own shopping bags. However, reusable shopping bags will be available for purchase. Cadets will be on site to help you carry your purchases to the parking lot. Free parking is available at the Parade Square across from the Drill Hall.