The thrift store’s temporary location at the Salvation Army church on 24 Unitt St has been inundated with donations from residents who’ve been eagerly awaiting the charity store’s reopening.
On social media, many expressed their relief with the store’s reopening on Tuesday, August 12.
It was a response that the store manager Carmel Phillips has been overwhelmed with, and one she said the team was incredibly grateful to receive.
“We’ve had people come in with car boot loads, some come back twice, and one lady had probably done about four carloads,” Ms Phillips said.
“It’s been really amazing, and I know the Kyabram volunteers have been really relieved to see that.”
During the search for a new Kyabram location, volunteers commuted to Rochester to lend a hand.
Now, with Kyabram's store open, Rochester volunteers are returning the favour.
Ms Phillips, who also manages the Rochester store, said it’s been fantastic seeing the camaraderie between the two branches grow over the past three months.
“I don’t want to say, ‘everything happens for a reason’ but this has sort of been a blessing in disguise for the volunteers who have now built this connection between the two teams,” she said.
“They’re trying to help each other now, and it’s something that we didn’t have before the Kyabram volunteers came to Rochy.”
While the Unitt St location serves as a temporary home, plans are underway for a permanent store, strategically situated in the heart of town on Allan St.
With an official opening set for late October, Ms Phillips said she’d like to see the donation boxes fill up so they can fill out the new store.
“We’re looking for pretty much anything and everything – as long as it’s in a good condition,” she said.
“But, also, we’re looking for people to just come down and say ‘hello’, have a chat with us, we’re all lovely.
“It’s about connecting the community back together again – so we can’t wait to see everyone.”
The store welcomes donations from Monday to Thursday, between 10 am and 3 pm, aligning with their operating hours.
