Online store provides a modern opportunity
An opportunity shop in Drouin is moving with the times, with staff having established an online version of the store.
Drouin Anglican Church Opportunity Shop staff is the group behind the ‘Gippsland Op Shop’ website, an online op shop that allows purchases to be made from anywhere in Australia.
The online store launched in October last year, however, the Anglican Church Opportunity started much earlier.
The shop opened in September 1996 and at the time had only a few volunteers - now that number sits much higher.
It has grown in both size and volunteers, with it now occupying adjoining warehouses on Roberts Court in Drouin and a store in Drouin’s Commercial Square.
Parish council liaison officer Pauline Davies ran the op shop for 20 years, and at the time of her retirement, there were 86 volunteers. However, when COVID-19 hit the numbers did reduce, and some people have not returned.
Ms Davies said the op shop was always on the lookout for more volunteers to join - particularly in the wake of the pandemic.
Since lockdowns have stopped and restrictions have eased sales have gone back up, sales that have been bolstered by the store’s online presence.
Op Shop manager John Griffiths, a former antique dealer, took up the position about a year and a half ago and has since made waves in the local op shop scene.
During his years as an antique dealer, he had seen op shops using an online store and thought it would work well locally.
He said the idea “stuck” with him for many years, and when he started as manager he was enthusiastic about implementing it and bringing other local stores along for the ride.
“I’m a firm believer in if you don’t keep growing you’re just going to die,” he said.
“Our aim is to grow. With our website, we plan on having other Gippsland op shops joining that progress as well.”
“We’re having a meeting in a couple of weeks’ time to get them on board.”
Mr Griffiths said the website had just had a record month in sales and had already attracted interest nationwide, with items being shipped out to people all over Australia.
“It’s now starting to gather a bit of momentum.”
“But it’ll probably be another 12 months before it gets to where I’d like it to be,” he said.
The online store features specially curated items, including clothing, homeware and decor, entertainment, collectables, crafts, and outdoor and sports supplies.
Payments are made online and are delivered through Australia Post.
Since the op shop’s inception more than 25 years ago, management has been committed to using the proceeds to support the community.
Ms Davies said donations to the local organisations were originally 10 per cent of the op shop’s quarterly profit, but that number has since increased to 20 per cent.
Donations are also made to the church mission, which supports churches in need.
The Op Shop’s goals fall in line with those of the Anglican Parish of Drouin, to share the work of the church within the community, to raise funds for the parish and use them to benefit the parish and op shop, to provide a service to the community, to sell or distribute without charge to those in need, and to provide friendship and support for volunteers.