Iqaluit’s Piviniit Thrift Store has been renting its space from the Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre for a long time, but now, it will be forced to relocate. The store has been given 2 months to relocate.
Last Friday, the Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre gave the store an eviction notice. The food centre is currently expanding, and according to its spokesperson, it needs the space that Iqaluit’s Piviniit Thrift Store currently occupies.
Linda Ham, a board member with the Piviniit Society, is concerned with this situation. She said:
“The community is big enough for you know organizations such as ours and the food centre that are doing good works. It’s a shame and it’s just very unfortunate that we’re now in this situation.”
The Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre wants to continue working with the store and wants to help them relocate.
Rachel Blais, the executive director of the Qajuqturvik Food Centre, added:
“Unfortunately we’re very aware that there’s a shortage of commercial space in the downtown core here in Iqaluit. Non-profits are particularly at a disadvantage when it comes to the stability needed for operating a business or an organization.”
The petition won’t do much it seems as the Qajuqturvik Community Food Centre is unwilling to change its decision. Two organizations will meet again next week to discuss further courses of action.
