Otaki’s Arohanui Op shop was one year old on July 16 and they still have 20 of the original volunteers working regular shifts at the Main Street shop.
“We started putting the shop together mid-June last year and opened on July 16,” shop co-manager David Saena said. “It’s been great, the donations and support from local businesses and our wonderful volunteers who helped set up and run the shop.”
For the 30 volunteers in the former WINZ premises there are three shifts operating per day, running for two to three hours.
They sell everything from clothing to furniture, crockery and glassware to records, books and shoes “and lots of miscellaneous nik naks,” Mr Saena said.
The shop was decorated with balloons for the birthday and a huge fruit cake, from Jill at Temptations Patisserie, was ceremonially cut and shared among the staff and shoppers and many of the local businesses who support them.
All proceed from the sales go to the continuing palliative care of patients at the Palmerston North hospice.
“Thanks to Hammer Hardware, New World and Countdown, Paul Pearce and Temptations Patisserie for their support.”