Revamp gives Newcomb op shop a fresh start

A NEWCOMB charity shed on the verge of closure has been revamped in a bid to raise more support for people in need.

The Little Shed, which is located in Coppards Road, is now known as Newcomb Thrift Shop, offering second-hand clothing, accessories, bric-a-brac, jewellery, books, kids toys and more.

Proceeds from the shop go back into The Salvation Army’s South Barwon Corps, allowing volunteers to support needy families in the South Barwon area.

Manager Hayley Blair said the newly revamped shed was now welcoming around 70 customers a day.

“The shed was shut for four months during COVID and was on the brink of closing down,” she said.

“It was just full of furniture and bric-a-brac, to the point you couldn’t move, and it ended up costing more money to get rid of the rubbish furniture that was being donated than they were making.”

Ms Blair said it was during those four months of closure that management decided to put some money into the store, remove a wall to free up space, and introduce more second-hand retail options.

“It’s pretty famous this shop, like everyone knows it’s here,” she said.

“So during the four months they decided they would focus on clothes, bric-a-brac and electrical and that stuff that makes the money and revamp the store.

“The wall came down which opened it up, we have new racks and it’s making money again.

“We get between 60 and 70 customers a day and I expect that number to grow another 30-40 people a day as people don’t realise we are open again because it was closed for so long.”

Ms Blair, who started her role in December, said the revamp was a fresh start for the op shop, and welcomed donations and customers to come have a browse.

The thrift shop also offers a Loyalty Card, so when customers spend at least $20 four times, they get 50 per cent off their next visit.

It’s located at 90-92 Coppards Road, Newcomb. Phone 5248 3829. Open hours are Monday-Friday 9.30am to 4.30pm and Saturday 10am to 3pm.