Monday, March 2, 2026
Construction to Begin on New, Expanded New to You Fergus Store
New to You Fergus, the not-for-profit thrift store proudly supporting Groves Memorial Community Hospital, is thrilled to announce that construction is now underway on a brand-new, larger, and brighter store at 950 St. David Street North, Fergus.
After months of careful planning, technical review, and permit approvals, the organization’s construction plans are now fully approved, and the building permit is officially in place. While unusually cold weather and contractor scheduling commitments have pushed the original timeline slightly, construction is anticipated to begin the week of March 2... Click here to read the full media release online.
As the Groves Hospital Volunteer Association prepares for the future of New To You, we know our community has questions about the redevelopment project and what it means for customers, donors, and volunteers.
If you have additional questions, please contact us at ghvapresident@gmail.com.
Why is a new building needed?
The current building no longer meets the operational needs of New To You and has several structural limitations. Constructing a new building allows us to create a more functional, efficient, and accessible space while supporting the continued growth of the store and its impact in the community.
Why not renovate the existing store instead?
At the scale required for New To You’s future needs, renovating the existing building would likely cost more than constructing a new one, particularly when major repairs and structural upgrades are considered. A new build also allows for significantly improved layout, storage, workflow, accessibility, and customer experience.
How large will the new store be?
The new building will be approximately 1,542 square metres (16,600 square feet), making it roughly twice the size of the current store.
Will the store remain open during construction?
Yes. Maintaining store operations throughout construction has been a priority from the beginning of the project. New To You is expected to remain open during construction, with the exception of a brief transition period when the existing building is demolished. We appreciate the community’s patience and continued support during this exciting transformation.
Will donations continue to be accepted during construction?
At this time, donations are continuing to be accepted as usual. Any temporary changes to donation operations during future construction phases will be communicated in advance through our website and social media channels.
Will parking be affected during construction?
Temporary adjustments to parking arrangements will occur during construction. Volunteer and staff parking will be relocated to adjacent properties at certain stages of the project in order to preserve adequate parking for customers and donors.
Has traffic flow and site access been considered?
Yes. The developer of the back lot completed a Transportation Impact Study reviewed by the Township and the Ministry of Transportation (MTO). New to You also submitted a petition requesting a traffic light; however, the decision falls under the authority of the MTO, and they have determined that a traffic light is not necessary at this time.
The new entrance drive will be two lanes, which will improve traffic flow in and out of the property. We will continue to ensure safe entrance and exit to the site.
Will the outside storage trailers and sheds remain?
No. The new building design includes significantly improved warehouse and storage capacity, reducing the need for the current outdoor trailers and storage structures.
How will the redevelopment benefit the community?
The expanded New To You facility will improve operational efficiency, create a better experience for customers, donors, and volunteers, and strengthen New To You’s ability to support healthcare initiatives through the Groves Hospital Volunteer Association.
Every purchase, donation, and volunteer hour helps support care at Groves Memorial Community Hospital.