Image courtesy of Rutland Thrift / KGH Foundation

By Liam Verster

Six Decades Supporting KGH Foundation

Rutland Thrift closing permanently after more than 60 years

Nov 28, 2025 | 4:25 PM

The thrift shop that has supported local health care initiatives over the past six decades is closing its doors for good.

Rutland Thrift, which was opened in 1964 by the Rutland Auxiliary, said it will close down permanently on December 12.

“It was an incredibly difficult decision to close Rutland Thrift,” Kelowna General Hospital Foundation (KGH Foundation) Chief Operating Officer, Barb Jackson, said.

“It isn’t just a business. For many in the community, especially our volunteers, it has been a place of family, friendship, and extraordinary generosity.”

Jackson did not provide more details as to why the store would close, saying only that “there were several mitigating factors that pointed to the most responsible decision being to close our doors permanently.”

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Since its opening, the store that is run by volunteers and stocked by community donations, has generated millions of dollars in revenue that was then donated to the KGH Foundation, or used to support local health initiatives. Those included helping with the purchase of a new shuttle for the Senior Outreach Society, and supporting Rutland Community Clinic’s Caring Space. Jackson has confirmed that some of proceeds from the sale of the building will be re-invested directly into those two community initiatives.

“The impact of Rutland Thrift will live on in perpetuity, not just in the programs and equipment it has funded over the years but now, this investment in the future of care in Rutland,” said KGH Foundation CEO, Allison Young.

“It was important to us and even more important to our volunteers, that the legacy of giving back to the Rutland community that was so deeply embedded in Rutland Thrift be continued.”

The thrift store said it was no longer accepting donations as of Friday, Nov. 28, but did invite the public out to browse the wares they do have before they close down.