Payback for SPCA from busy new op shop

Beds, windows and burlesque dancing outfits are just some of the diverse items proving very popular at the SPCA opportunity shop in Chapel St, according to voluntary store manager Fleur Harlick.

Ms Harlick said she was inspired to open an SPCA shop in Masterton after visiting one in Palmerston North and almost two months after the official Masterton shop opening she said business was brisk.

"We have people coming in every day with boxes and bags of stuff," she said. "Because the shop is small we're keeping the prices down and things are moving out quickly."

Ms Harlick said they already had lots of regular customers who were eager to hunt for bargains in the store and she said they were coming from all over Wairarapa region. "We have people coming in every two days because things are cheap and word is slowly spreading.

"A woman from Eketahuna was in a few days ago. She had a friend who lives in Masterton who works in a bookshop in Featherston [who told her about it]."

Ms Harlick said many people were donating and buying a multitude of unusual and, in some cases, extravagant items.

"The most unusual thing we've sold was probably a window.

"We've sold all sorts of stuff. A burlesque outfit with pink and black ruffles was bought by a woman who liked dressing up for [fancy dress] nights out."

Rent and bills such as power and phone owed by the SPCA will be reimbursed from the shop's sales. Ms Harlick said she was delighted that in less than seven weeks they had already collected almost enough money to pay them back.

She said the response from the whole region had been "really good".

Ms Harlick said there were several other initiatives which they were hoping would benefit from the encouraging sales.

"There's an SPCA desexing programme which is running in April and we'd like to extend the current programme or do another one later in the year."

Ms Harlick said the SPCA op-shop has had lots of positive comment on the bright, spacious surroundings and the pleasant outline of the retail space.

The shop sells second-hand clothing, books, homeware, tools, toys, DVDs and petware.