General News
5 February, 2024
New home for op-shop
Maryborough’s Scout Op-Shop will open the doors to its new store at Tren Du Bourg Hall tomorrow, after operating for more than a decade out of its old spot on High Street. One of the most prominent second-hand retail outlets in town, the local...
Maryborough’s Scout Op-Shop will open the doors to its new store at Tren Du Bourg Hall tomorrow, after operating for more than a decade out of its old spot on High Street.
One of the most prominent second-hand retail outlets in town, the local Scout group managed store had become synonymous with its facility on 61-63 High Street — but now, following a transfer of building ownership, the op-shop is set to get a new home.
Volunteers and staff at the Scout Op-Shop have been busy with their big move into the Genesis Church owned, Tren Du Bourg Hall.
Having spent the past month lining up shelves at the 3 Neill Street location, the hope is that the change in address is the last one the shop will ever need to make.
“We are really excited for a long-term partnership with the church because it will enable us to support the community to our fullest extent,” Maryborough Scout Op Shop manager Sheryl Ford said.
“Genesis Church has been welcoming and generous, allowing us access to the hall — it’s been a mammoth task to move 10 years worth of operations from an 800 square metre shop into a sizeable but substantially smaller site.
“Our incredible staff have worked tirelessly over the last four weeks and have achieved nothing short of a miracle.”
More than just a shopping venue, Ms Ford said it was vital for the shop to keep operating in the town to ensure continued benefits for all residents.
“Every single penny that comes from the store, goes straight back into the Maryborough Scout Group — all the money we earn, stays local and supports local programs,” she said.
“We’re able to help families who have their children enrolled in the group because funding can be a real problem for some and we don’t want anyone to miss out.
“When the situation changed at the High Street location, we were really worried about the possibility that we wouldn’t be able to provide that support anymore — thankfully, we aren’t in that position.”
This dedication to the community, according to Genesis Church’s Matt De Haan, is what makes the new partnership between the two organisations even more special.
“It’s a beautiful thing about community, that we work together for the betterment of all,” he said.
“I am very excited for the op-shop to be set up in the hall because it would normally just be empty, without anyone using it and that was a concern for me.
Our agreement is a real win-win for all parties involved because we did need to generate some income as well. This is a blessing and we’re glad to help the op-shop get on their feet again and we’ll keep working with them as required.”
The Scout Op-Shop at Tren Du Bourg Hall will open tomorrow, February 7 — and will operate from Tuesday to Friday every week between 10 am to 4 pm.
Customers are being advised to not bring in any donations for the forseeable future as the shop is inundated with a high quantity of goods.
