Mission Thrift Store

Court is the General Manager of the Maple Ridge, Mission Thrift Store. The store was founded in Maple Ridge in 1999 and remained at the same location (225 St block of Lougheed Hwy) for 25 years.  We are a "not for profit" operated by an independent BC Registered Society. We are a part of a faith-based charity that operates 50+ stores across Canada. The original store on Lougheed Hwy was the smallest store in the group. Our current location in Haney Place Mall (close to 37,000 sq ft) is the largest in the group. Initially we were looking for a location that was a third or at most one half of this footage however as fate would have it; here we are. Our new location opened in July of 2024.

My association with the Maple Ridge, Mission Thrift Store began in August of 2023. My mandate was to find a location, design and build out a store and operate the same. Limited only by a (very) constrained budget for CapEx and Leasehold improvements I had plenty of latitude to be creative and innovative. We are primarily Volunteer driven. I have a small core of paid staff.

My background began in retail almost 50 years ago. I began working at a drugstore wholesale at the age of 13. By 15 years of age with a couple of summers under my belt I was quickly hired by a retail drugstore in Maple Ridge and continued to work part time thru High School. I have a BSc in Leadership / Management. The first 12 years of my career were spent in Retail, first at store level and then in management at the corporate office. I then moved on to a variety of national medical device suppliers (advanced woundcare, orthopaedics, infusion pumps,  electrosurgery) where I held a variety of roles including Vice President. My joining the Maple Ridge, Mission Thrift Store in 2023 has served to bring my career full circle back to my roots and my passion. I report into a fantastic, supportive Board. I feel like we're making a difference in our community, with the environment and I enjoy what I'm doing.