By Danielle Kutchel
With retail reopening around Melbourne, one Cranbourne op shop is looking forward to getting back into it.
The Backpacks 4 Vic Kids (B4VK) op shop on Camms Road, Cranbourne, has been planning for this moment for months.
The op shop is a vital fundraising arm for its namesake charity, allowing the organisation to continue its mission of providing comfort and support to children in out-of-home care through the provision of backpacks filled with essential items.
Volunteers have been working hard behind the scenes to get the shop ready for the return of customers and learn the appropriate Covid-safe practises.
Op shop manager Suzie Brooking said return shoppers would be impressed by the new layout of the space which has allowed for more room so that customers and staff can socially distance.
And it’s an even bigger occasion than most, with the shop celebrating its official grand opening with a week of specials that have been designed with Covid safety in mind.
From Monday November 9 to Thursday November 12, customers will be treated to different sales and deals.
Ms Brooking is particularly excited about a Covid-safe lucky dip. It’s based on a numbering system, so customers and staff don’t have to touch anything.
Ms Brooking said op shops would continue to play an important role in the community as people adjust to Covid normal.
Many people in the community are now doing it tough on lower incomes, but are still looking to provide the best for their family.
This has been thrown into sharp relief over lockdown, during which she resorted to selling the op shop’s wares online with retail closed.
“It wasn’t just helping us, it was helping the community because no one could get clothes because online was sold out, deliveries were taking forever, and there was no click and collect at the beginning,” she said.
“A lot of people go to op shops because they can’t necessarily afford to buy from regular shops.”
That’s where the B4VK op shop can help, she said, with $2 kids’ clothing and $3 adult casual clothing.
She recalled delivering clothes to one family whose little boy was over the moon to get new clothes.
“It felt good to be able to help,” she added.
The op shop is also able to take donations again, with all donated goods being handled in a Covid-safe manner, and is interested in hearing from anyone who would like to volunteer in the shop. Full training will be provided.
In the meantime, Ms Brooking said she and her team are looking forward to being an alternative to traditional retail.
“We want to stick in that affordable category. We’re just little people, but it’s such a good cause,” she said.
Find the B4VK Charity Op Shop on Facebook.
