Community programs

A major commercial space in the western suburbs is in the final stages of transforming into Australia’s first Op Shop Superstore solely dedicated to raising funds for animals in need.

RSPCA South Australia’s first Superstore – located at 322 Grange Road in Kidman Park – will open its doors on Saturday, September 1.

Three other charity superstores already operate from the site. The concentration of op shop superstores has earned the Kidman Park address the nickname “Harbourtown of op shops”, a reference to the discount fashion stores located at Harbourtown in West Beach.

A fashion parade is among the family-friendly activities planned in celebration of the new store’s opening day.

RSPCA South Australia’s Commercial Operations Manager Fabienne Reilly encourages anyone wanting to contribute to the store’s success to either donate items, buy items or volunteer their time.

“Volunteers are core to our op shops, and our highest priority at the moment – with just four weeks until we open – is recruiting enough volunteers to help run this huge new store.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to work in a happy, positive environment whilst gaining valuable experience in retail employment.

“And of-course everything our volunteers do ultimately benefits the thousands of animals RSPCA South Australia rescues and cares for each year.

“For many people this is motivation enough to get involved.”

The Kidman Park Superstore will be RSPCA South Australia’s seventh store, with Op Shops already located in Blackwood, Brighton, Warradale, Semaphore, Marden and Prospect. All the Op Shops recently underwent a major upgrade, raising their appeal for fashion-conscious buyers on a budget.

“We’re quite selective about the items we sell,” Ms Reilly said.

“We know people don’t want to – and often don’t have time to – rummage through mountains of second-rate clothing.

“We thoroughly examine donated items before deciding what goes on our racks and arrange them logically so shoppers can easily find what they’re after.”

With the focus firmly on quality, RSPCA South Australia is encouraging donations of items to sell in its new Superstore.

“A good test of the quality of an item is whether it’s something you would happily give to a friend,” Ms Reilly said.

“If that’s the case, please consider giving it to us instead!”

Accepted items are:

• Women’s, men’s + children’s clothing
• Accessories: handbags, hats, belts, scarves + jewellery
• Homewares + bric-a-brac
• Manchester
• Toys, books, CDs + DVDs
• Dress up clothes

Items that cannot be accepted are:

• Electrical goods
• Beds, mattresses, cots or portacots
• Doonas + pillows
• Underwear, bathers
• Soiled or damaged clothing
• Anything broken or with missing parts/pieces

More information about the new Superstore, including the opportunity to volunteer, can be found at www.rspcasa.org.au/opshops.