CORNING, N.Y. (WENY) -- After being part of the Corning community for more than 20 years, The Salvation Army Family Thrift Store located on Park Ave. will no longer be open for business. 

The store closed its doors temporarily due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, Headquarters decided it was time for the store to close for good. Major Leo Lloyd who oversees The Salvation Army Family Thrift Store in Corning, says the first priority of the store was to raise funds to continue offering rehabilitation programs to people in need at no cost. But due to the current financial crisis and the pandemic, the store says supporting these programs through the store has made it impossible. The Salvation Army says another factor that went into making this decision was the distance from the Salvation Army's warehouse in Binghamton to its store in Corning. 

"The decision to close the store was not made lightly," says Major Leo Lloyd who oversees The Salvation Army Family Thrift Store in Corning, "but after much review, it seems to be the most responsible choice." 

The Salvation Army says their store located at 32 Denison Pkwy., East Corning will work to fill the void, and an effort is being made to refer current employees of the store to open positions at other Salvation Army centers.

"The Thrift Store did provide great value to many families in need," Captain Francisco Rivera says who oversees The Salvation Army's social services office at 32 Denison Pkwy., East Corning, New York, "Although the store is leaving, The Salvation Army isn't going anywhere. We're still absolutely committed to meeting needs by serving this community."

The Salvation Army said in a press release, they regularly review the financial performance of its stores, services and programs to ensure maximum efficiency, and available offerings are discontinued only when its absolutely necessary. The Salvation Army says they will continue to be available through their service office located at 3-5 Griswold Street, Binghamton and other area stores, including locations in Ithaca, Horseheads, Endicott, Waverly, Oneonta and Cortland.

In addition to the store closing, The Salvation Army Family Thrift Store in Bath also announced they will be closing permanently.