The rising cost of living is turning more people towards Op Shops when they need to update their wardrobe.
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And St John’s Anglican Church Op Shop in Clarence Town is feeling the pinch as the demand for their stock rises.
The shop, which started 17 years ago in the church hall, has 25 volunteers and opens to the public each Wednesday morning.
Co-ordinator Gillian Finch started it in 1999 and has watched the attitude towards second-hand clothing drastically change.
“We’re seeing a lot more people coming through the doors to buy our clothes,” she said.
“Some things that happen increase the demand for our clothes, like after the dairying industry was deregulated and farming families were doing it tough.
“We see parents come in for clothes for their little people and for themselves.
“Some come in for yard clothes and house clothes, and others come in for an outfit.”
The shop now has its own shed that has been fitted out like a store,
It is packed with mens, womens and childrens clothing as well as children’s toys, a range of shoes and other items.
They use some of the lower-quality clothes to cut up rags that they sell in bags to businesses.
“We’re very selective about what we keep and what we don’t want goes to House with No Steps,” Ms Finch said.
“We give Father Riley different bits and pieces too.
“We don’t like the idea of all of this waste going into landfill when it can be recycled.”
Profits from the shop help run the church and are put back into the community.
The shop also helps people who have had their home damaged by fire or flood.
“It’s a good outing, the volunteers come and we chat our heads off and work, and then have a cup of coffee,” Ms Finch said.
The cost of clothes in the shops is ridiculous. We have a wide range for children and adults that's affordable. We are very strict about what we will sell and we get clothes through here that still have the tags on.
- St John's Anglican Church Op Shop co-ordinator Gillian Finch