Rutland Thrift closes it’s doors, and leaves a lasting legacy

KELOWNA, BC, November 28, 2025 – After an incredible 61-year legacy, Rutland Thrift will be closing its doors on December 12.

“It was an incredibly difficult decision to close Rutland Thrift,” says KGH Foundation Chief Operating Officer, Barb Jackson. “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.”

“There were several mitigating factors that pointed to the most responsible decision being to close our doors permanently,” says Jackson. 

The store was first opened in 1964 by the Rutland Auxiliary. In the six decades since, Rutland Thrift has generated millions in revenue that has been invested back into Kelowna General Hospital and other vital community health initiatives. The store has been staffed primarily by volunteers, donating more than two million hours to receiving, sorting and selling donated clothing and household items.

Jackson has confirmed that some of proceeds from the sale of the building will be re-invested directly into the Rutland community through two significant investments. One grant to the Seniors Outreach Society will fund the purchase of a new shuttle, providing safe and reliable transportation for underserved older adults to access health promotion programs at the centre.

The second grant to the Rutland Community Clinic will support Caring Space — a healing hub that offers culturally informed programming, referrals, case management, and the integration of traditional knowledge. The initiative has been developed in partnership with Elders and is grounded in the teachings of the medicine wheel, providing a space for Rutland community members to receive care, experience healing, and build connections.

“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,” shares 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,” says Young. 

For nearly two decades, Nancy Wells lead the operation of Rutland Thrift and facilitated the volunteer program for the KGH Foundation.

“I am truly in awe of what our team of hardworking and generous volunteers has been able to accomplish here at Rutland Thrift,” shares Wells. “It’s bittersweet, but when we close our doors, we know that we will do so after changing many lives, giving back to our community, and enhancing world class health care. This building represents the hard work of hundreds of volunteers over the last 61 years, and we are all so very proud that this legacy will live on through the impact we’ve made together.”

Though the store is no longer accepting donations, the community is invited to stop by for one last shopping trip to bid farewell. The shop is open Monday to Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm, and the last day will be Saturday, December 12.

The Legacy of Rutland Thrift

• January 3, 1963: Rutland Auxiliary started with just nine members and a goal of supporting KGH.
• 1964: The Rutland Auxiliary opened the first Thrift Shop in Valley Lanes.
• June 1966: The store moved to Whiteheads’ Secondhand Store on Joe Rich Road and raised $2500, of this $100 went towards a bursary for a Rutland Jr. or Sr. Student. This bursary still exists today but is now $2000.
• June 29, 1968: After outgrowing its location, the Thrift Shop moved to a small house across from Rutland Centennial Park the Auxiliary purchased.
• December 20, 1974: After outgrowing its third location, the Auxiliary to the Kelowna Hospital built a new larger building in the same spot after demolishing the small house.
• April 26, 2005: The Auxiliary outgrew its fourth facility, sold the store, and moved into the home its located in now on Dougall Road.
• 2017: Rutland Thrift funded a new $1.9 million CT Scanner at KGH, along with Kelowna, Rutland, Peachland and Winfield Auxiliaries.
• 2 million + hours of volunteer hours given to service the community through their fundraising efforts.
• Millions in revenue made over its lifetime in support of KGH and other community health programs

Learn more about the KGH Foundation’s Business Enterprises, including Rutland Thrift, at www.kghfoundation.com/our-businesses