These are busy times for the Salvation Army’s Thrift Store and its platoon of volunteers and employees.

The second-hand store on Tranquille Road is getting set to debut a major remodelling that has been weeks in the making.

The store has been closed while undergoing the renovation — a makeover Maj. Wayne McTaggart believes was desperately needed.

“After so many years, it gets stale,” he told KTW just a few days prior to Thursday's (Oct. 29) re-opening.

“We realized we needed to do a redesign.”

McTaggart and his wife, Sharleen, took over the store’s operation more than three months ago.

The couple has spent roughly $30,000 on improvements, including bringing in a team from Ontario to redesign and organize the store.

They got the idea for the major overhaul after a Sally Ann thrift store in Ontario did the same — and managed to triple business.

Among some of the improvements, the store will be brighter, fresh product will be put out every day, the donation drop-off hours have been expanded to 4:30 p.m. from 2 p.m. and even some new items will be offered.

The thrift store will also put selected items on grids to view for a two-week period, after which will they will be brought on to the floor for sale.

All the changes are an effort to get more customers through the doors and provide the best shopping experience possible.

But the one change McTaggart said customers will notice — and most will appreciate — is the drop in prices.

“We just think people are going to say, ‘Wow!’” McTaggart said.

He also noted that, unlike other thrift stores, all profits are funnelled back into the Salvation Army’s various programs, including its community and family services, sending kids to camp and its street ministries.

The grand re-opening takes place Thursday between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with free hot dogs, pop and hot chocolate to help with the celebrations.