Little op shop with its big ideas
A small op shop at Awapuni has been supporting locals since 1991.
It was started by Monica Pinfold for “something to do” until she left in 2017 to care for her sick husband.
Monica said the late Shirley Heaphy inspired the women to open the shop to offer affordable clothing, small household items and bedding to customers. Back then the volunteers opened the shop on a Thursday and had to erect the racks of clothing in the church hall, then pack everything away.
The shop is in a a small shed at the side of the former St Mark’s Church on College St. The church and hall are subject to earthquake strengthening and closed in 2017.
Volunteer Reita Barrow says three churches have come together under the name of the Presbyterian New Church Awapuni and volunteers from the church open the op shop. In February they decided to open on a Saturday because of the demand from working people. They have a roster system to open the shop.
Proceeds from the op shop buys three-ply merino wool from the Wool Shop at Utiku and the church women knit baby clothes twice a year. Reita said they have been knitting for 15 years.The knits are blessed and taken to the Palmerston North Hospital delivery suite, and also given to premature or tiny babies under 1000 grams who are sent to Wellington .
Other proceeds go toward a games afternoon and a garden at the Brightwater Presbyterian Support Care Facility.
■ The Op Shop is at 117 College St opposite Pitama St, Awapuni. Open Thursday and Saturday 9am-noon.