Youth shop expanding its services

KYStore manager Charlotte Lane-Tobin thanked locals for their continued support in helping to stock the boutique second hand shop. Photo: Cloe Willetts

After five months on the coast, Kapiti Youth Support's KYStore is already expanding its services.

Store manager Charlotte Lane-Tobin said the shop had received an abundance of support since opening last year, and thanked locals for their generosity.

As a result of the store's success, staff had begun running garage sales from the premises' back storage garage, which was quickly filling with good quality donated items.

KYStore, a boutique second hand store selling pre-loved goods, offers a selection of men's and women's clothing, shoes, bags, jewellery, furniture, bric-a-brac, linen and household items.

Opened to raise funds for KYS' free health and wellbeing services, the store is an important means of revenue for Kapiti's major youth organisation.

"Funding is not currently aligning with the demand," Charlotte said.

"For example, the funding we receive for health services from Capital and Coast District Health Board has not increased since 2008, yet demand and need has skyrocketed."

She said despite road works on Kapiti Rd having meant it was difficult to access the shop, the work was now completed, and parking was accessible from Ngahina St.

"People are only just finding out about us still, so we are hoping to have the foot traffic increase in the next couple of months."

According to Charlotte, items currently for sale included a collection of high end labels such as Andrea Moore, Karen Walker, Moochi, Trelise Cooper and Celine.

"We have a great condition retro vinyl lounge suite, woollen rugs, vintage jugs, cups and vases, eclectic homewares and kitchenware."

She encouraged people to follow the KYStore Facebook page for garage sale days and times, and to bring cash.

"We greatly appreciate the community's support so far, with the overwhelming amount of good quality donations.

"We hope people continue to spread the word so we can get more foot traffic through the store."

- For more information on KYS and the services it provides, visit kys.co.nz.