Beloved local op-shop to shut after 30 years
SINCE around 1994, Ararat’s Save the Children Op-Shop has been working to raise money to help vulnerable children in Australia and abroad.
But the eleven volunteers at the shop in Barkly Street were told last week their services are no longer required.
Save the Children has made a decision to close the op-shop, telling volunteers the Ararat shop is no longer viable.
It’s understood the cost of rent, insurance, rates and utilities cannot be met by the sales the op-shop generates.
The shop has a long and proud history.
It initially started in the early 1990s in the old Gas and Fuel shop located between Ray White Real Estate and the Leopold Hotel before moving to its current address at 200 Barkly Street.
Volunteer Bert Siersema said the shop has developed many life long friendships in the Ararat community.
“We all really, really enjoy being here. We have had so much time together, Christmases together, it’s a real shame we are going,” he said.
Mr Siersema said The Save the Children Op-Shop has not only raised important funds over the years, but also given many people valuable workplace experience.
“I did take on a lot of people here from Centrelink, kids who couldn’t find a job who went on to work at the hospital as well as ladies who were at an age close to retirement and couldn’t find work. It has been fantastic,” Mr Siersema said.
The volunteers will spend their last day at the shop on Friday the 13th of September.
There will then be a garage sale at the back of the shop on Saturday the 14th of September to clear equipment.
All unsold stock will be offered to other op-shops in Ararat.
The Advocate did attempt to get comment from Save the Children head office for this article.