A BALLARAT op shop reopened to the public last Friday with a fresh new look.<\/p>\n
The Uniting Op Shop on Dana Street recently underwent renovations to transform the 150-year-old building into an updated yet quirky space.<\/p>\n
Along with the new look, the store will also be open seven days a week.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe shops sort of more creative, quirky and fun and something a bit more uplifting than what it was before,\u201d said shop manager Candice Willis.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re going to be specialising in vintage, premium brands and more quirky things.\u201d<\/p>\n
While the Wendouree and Delacombe stores will have more of a focus on everyday items, the Dana Street location will sell one of a kind and designer pieces.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re specialising in quality over quantity, and we also identified that there\u2019s not a lot of designer brands in Ballarat, so we\u2019ve tried to bring that into Ballarat,\u201d said Ms Willis.<\/p>\n
It is hoped the new focus will attract visitors to the region.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019m most excited about meeting new customers because it seems like we\u2019re attracting new customers, especially coming from Melbourne,\u201d said Ms Willis.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of people are also rediscovering the shop because they forgot we are here.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Uniting Op Shop is largely volunteer run and Ms Willis said those contributions are vital.<\/p>\n
\u201cFor years this shop was all volunteer run and a lot of our volunteers have been here for 20 plus years so it\u2019s pretty amazing,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
All the profits from the shop go back into Uniting projects that support Ballarat and the winder region.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe funds from this shop go back into the community with a lot of the welfare services downstairs,\u201d said Ms Willis.<\/p>\n
\u201cA lot of it goes towards BreezeWay which is meals for those who need them, so it all stays in Ballarat.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re just trying to do better for the community.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A BALLARAT op shop reopened to the public last Friday with a fresh new look. The Uniting Op Shop on Dana Street recently underwent renovations to transform the 150-year-old building into an updated yet quirky space. Along with the new look, the store will also be open seven days a week. \u201cThe shops sort of […]<\/p>\n