Customers rush for new op shop opening

There was a Myer like rush to get through the door when Neerim South’s first purpose built opportunity shop officially opened its doors last Monday.

The new shop, which also includes a meeting room available for community use, has been five years in the making with some delays along the way before completion of the project.

Neerim South Opportunity Shop volunteer Beth Delzoppo said the St John’s Co-operative Church had decided to embark on the project to build the shop five years ago.

She said the shop had previously operated from a house before moving to a space inside the local pharmacy after the house had been repossessed.

With not enough space to run the shop at its capacity, the decision was made to build a shop from the sale of land and money held in trust.

The church was able to also secure a loan and a grant from the Anglican diocese of Sale to complete the project following some delay to building works.

Mrs Delzoppo said volunteers had previously worked under difficult conditions, sorting and pricing items at the back of the church before moving them to the pharmacy 200 metres up the road.

“Up until now we’ve had to close the store on a Tuesday to do that, but now we can open and do it at the store while customers are coming in,” she said.

“There’s been many volunteers involved.”

Run by the St John’s Cooperative Church with the assistance of other volunteers, Mrs Delzoppo believes the new shop is one of very few opportunity shops that have been purposely built.

“There was a Myer like rush when we opened the doors and we were thrilled,” Mrs Delzoppo said.

“The community have been very generous in donating items.

“We aim to have goods and clothes that are reasonably priced, and it is also a place to come and talk to people.”

The Neerim South Opportunity Shop will open Monday to Friday, 9.30am until 4.30pm and also on Saturday mornings.

Mrs Delzoppo said the shop welcomed volunteers, regardless of whether or not they are involved in the Church.

“We have some volunteers who come in because they also see it as an important thing for the community,” she said.

Anyone interested in volunteering can contact Beth Delzoppo on 0427 562 300.