Value Village is now open in Canada again, so those who rely on thrifting for financial reasons or enjoy it simply as a favourite pastime can rejoice.

VALUE VILLAGE IS OPEN. ATTENTION ALL ALTERNATIVES KIDS. VALUE VILLAGE IS OPEN.

— Ty Szgatti (@szgatti) May 14, 2020

Given that second-hand shopping is predicated on public donations of items and that SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-19) can survive for some time on surfaces, Canadians may not have been expecting to get back into thrift stores anytime soon.

But, the beloved used clothing and housewares chain has indeed already started opening up select locations across Canada.

VV Boutiques in major cities such as Vancouver, Edmonton, Calgary, Regina, Saskatoon, Fredericton, Ottawa and Toronto are already open and serving the public.

Good news: Value Village thrift shop here in Saskatoon now open!

Bad news: most customers there weren't wearing masks, and a lot weren't socially distancing.

i.e. 2 Karens w/o masks getting WAY too close to me for comfort, were complaining the change rooms were still closed :/

— Conrad Knauer (@ConradKnauer) May 20, 2020

But, operations will be different than they were pre-pandemic, with new measures in place — stores will be cleaned more often, donation hours will be reduced, merchandise displays will be removed and floor decals implemented to help with social distancing, and sanitizer stations will be installed.

Also, employees will now wear personal protective equipment while working and will no longer be handling customers' reusable bags.

Fitting rooms will also be closed, but the company's window for exchanges will be extended to two weeks in lieu. And, locations may place limits on the number of shoppers allowed inside at one time.

Honestly just want value village to open so I can start thrifting again

— Amanda Insley (@Amanda_Insley) May 19, 2020

All of Alberta's 17 stores and Manitoba's six stores, four of Saskatchewan's stores (with the exception of Yorktown), and 19 of B.C.'s stores (with the exception of locations in Mission, Westbank, and one in Coquitlam) have now opened their doors.

In Ontario, residents can now visit a number of stores, including the Belleville, Concord, Guelph, Kingston, Leamington, Niagara Falls, Orillia, Owen Sound, Pembroke, Peterborough, St. Catharine's, Stittsville, Sudbury and Waterloo locations.

Also, Fennell Ave in Hamilton, Oxford Street in London, Hamphire Gate in Oakville, Ottawa Centre and South Ottawa, and South Windsor shops. Both Mississauga stores are also now open, as are five of Toronto's 11: Bloor Street, Etobicoke, Wilson, Scarborough and South Scarborough.

On the east coast, all three New Brunswick locations are back up and running, while stores in P.E.I., Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland remain shuttered to shoppers for the time being (though the Charlottetown location is now accepting donations).

VALUE VILLAGE IS OPEN AGAIN U KNOW I WAS IN THERE RIGHT AS THE DOORS OPENED

— LANIA 🔪 (@room93whore) May 15, 2020

"Our stores will reopen on a store-by-store basis as we assess local market conditions," a release from the retailer reads.

"We'll continue to listen to advice from local health and government officials, as well as feedback from our team members and our customers, as we consider how we can best serve you while helping to limit the spread of COVID-19."

i honestly don’t think value village of all places should open up like that is the only place where i have purchased a bag and found a bare clonazepam in it.

— lil doodoo head (@illumathotie) May 21, 2020

Whether you've been missing the once-in-a-lifetime finds and bargain prices that op shop adventures bring, have been sitting on bags of stuff to donate, or are simply looking for another excuse to get out of the house now that things are finally returning to a weird version of normal, this news is certainly welcome.