New name for old shop
BY DI SNEDDON
The only Op Shop in the Upper Hunter that sells furniture has re-opened its doors under a new name.
Singleton District Community Op Shop Inc. and its band of volunteers will continue to operate from their location that had been home to Father Chris Riley’s Youth Off the Streets (YOTS) for the past 25 years.
Joy Patton, with the support of the community, started this initiative all those years ago but when YOTS announced plans to close many of their op shops, Singleton included, she was at odds as to what to do.
She also had a lease that needed signing and the potential for a shop that needed to be cleared of stock and fittings.
You can imagine her relief when a committee was formed to continue the operations, the main difference being that all funds raised by the store will stay in Singleton.
The committee chairperson is Phil Reid, vice chair Val Scott, secretary Barbara Eather, and treasurer Joy Patton.
The committee has also welcomed the assistance of Jan Fallding who is setting up a facebook site for the shop.
Mrs Patton said all funds raised will go towards people in need and local causes supported by the membership and volunteers.
She added that the shop has always supported people in need and that she often received requests for furniture, household items and clothing from not only Singleton, but also Scone, Muswellbrook and Merriwa.
“We are the only op shop with furniture which is what a lot of people need,” Mrs Patton said.
She said she was pleased to be back working alongside her fellow volunteers and seeing the regular customers coming back in for a chat.
“It is the social side as much as anything that we have all missed,” she said.