The store, which employs two full-time staffers but also has various volunteers, moved from the Discovery Inn Centre on Franklin Avenue to the front of Bailey House just a block down the street last February.

More floor space - an extra 1,500 square feet, to be precise - means the store can put out more items at a faster rate, said Sobool, who was the first to admit the old thrift store was more than a little cramped.

"You couldn't walk around the counter, you didn't have shelves, or things were piled up on the floor or they were out in the back, in storage, for longer than what they needed to be.

"Now, usually, we get things out within a couple of days."

Just because the store was moving to bigger and better digs didn't mean Sobool was going to spend an arm and a leg on new furnishings. In fact, she seized an opportunity to practice the Salvation Army's recycling ethos.

"We didn't get new fixtures," she said. "When the Saan Store closed down, we got ahold of them and we were able to get most of our fixtures from them."

The store is clean, bright and orderly, with shirt racks neatly itemized by price and gender, and a dressing room in the corner, to boot.

"Setting it up was a lot of fun because you could set it up the way you wanted," said Sobool, who has worked with the Salvation Army - in Toronto, Cranbrook, B.C., Grande Prairie and now Yellowknife - for 17 years.

But this is her first new store, which might have explained the perpetual grin on her face as she gave a tour of the store Friday, barely giving pause as a woman approached her to ask where the underwear was.

"Donations have increased, because now people can see where we are and we have the space to take them," she said.

Sales haven't just increased because people are giving more: a new debit and credit card system have also helped.

"Before it was just cash, and not very many carry cash with them anymore," said Sobool.

During the move, Sobool solicited suggestions for improvement from customers.

"One suggestion was that they wanted the store to be open after 5 p.m., so we're accommodating that. Starting (last Monday), we're going to be open until 6 p.m."

As Sobool completed her tour, Shad Turner, a Yellowknife resident of six years and a frequent donor, came in armed with three tote bags.

"I was just doing a little bit of spring cleaning and I'm dropping off some old winter clothes that don't fit anymore," said Turner.

It was his first time in the new store.

"It's actually beautiful in here. It's bright, sunny and welcoming. It's easy to access. It has a good presence."