New Salvation Army store proposed in St. Paul
A new Salvation Army store may soon be opening at 1907 Suburban Ave. in St. Paul.
The 24,000-square-foot building in the Sun Ray commercial district currently houses a Napa Auto Parts store and the Empire Beauty School, both of which would move to nearby locations.
“This is an ideal location for us,” said Tom Canfield, Salvation Army stores director of operations in the Twin Cities. “Our analysis shows that there is great potential here, both for donations and sales.”
Store proceeds fund The Salvation Army Adult Rehabilitation Center in Minneapolis, which offers free or very low cost drug and alcohol rehabilitation to men who can’t afford insurance or don’t qualify for government assistance.
“We feed them, clothe them, teach them job skills and get them back on their feet with a comprehensive six-month program,” Canfield said.
The program includes both group and one-on-on counseling, along with work therapy.
An additional store would mean that the rehabilitation center can help even more people, while bringing at least 30 new jobs to the area. The store would be the 11th in the Twin Cities and the first one in St. Paul’s East Side neighborhood.
The city of Saint Paul will hold a series of meetings on the project at the end of March.
If it’s approved, The Salvation Army will complete the purchase of the building and build out the store and donation center, with plans to open in the fall of this year.