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Grand opening featured door prizes and special deals, including one-dollar jeans and sweaters.
By Thomas Brown –
The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center (ARC) opened a new Family Store in Eagle River, Alaska, following nearly two years of construction.
The new 24,000-square-foot doubles the size of the old store, which closed five years ago. It is also the first new Anchorage-area Family Store in five years.
“We’re excited to be serving a part of town that hasn’t had a Family Store for years.” said Major Paul Chouinard, Administrator of the 60-bed ARC in Anchorage. “This is a community that could use quality goods at low prices and we’re here to fill that gap.”
Eagle River is something of a mini-shopping hub between Anchorage, Palmer and Wasilla. The Family Store’s Grand Opening, held on May 10, featured door prizes and special deals, including one-dollar jeans and sweaters.
“Many people don’t realize that when they shop at a Salvation Army store, they’re not just getting a good deal—they’re also helping someone get clean and sober,” Chouinard said. “Proceeds from our Anchorage-area stores go toward the ARC.”
In Alaska, opioid deaths have surged to twice the national rate, which further point up the importance of the Anchorage ARC, according to Chouinard.
“Considering how much the state spends on drug and alcohol-related criminal justice services every year, this is a great model we’ve got here,” he said.
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