By Parker McKenzie
After nearly 20 years of the Treasure Chest Anglicare Op Shop in Lilydale will be closing on Friday 30 June.
Anglicare took over the already existing Op Shop in Lilydale in January 2004, before expanding into another shop and then moving to the current location at 24B John Street.
Op Shop Coordinator at Anglicare Victoria Lesley Conway said there were multiple factors involved in the decision to close down the shop.
“This current economic climate is pretty difficult for any small business and that is what we are at Anglicare,” she said.
“We’ve also seen a downturn in volunteers, so that’s been the most significant impact. I’ve not known anything like it in the 20 years that I’ve been involved in the shop and the recruitment of volunteers.”
She said she believes people are choosing part-time work and training over volunteering which has led to the downturn.
“I’ve now got a small volunteer pool, and I can’t keep putting pressure on them to you know, keep turning up the shifts and to fill in when someone’s away sick,” she said.
“You really do need a robust volunteer pool for this type of operation.”
Proceeds from the shop go towards local programs run by Anglicare, and throughout its existence, it has raised millions for causes like the Recovery Relief Program to support storm-affected people.
Ms Conway said over the years she hopes the shop has accommodated the needs of the many loyal and wonderful customers.
“It’s been a real boon for the community and there’s a social aspect to the volunteers and also to the customers that they’ve built relationships with,” she said.
“It’s been an incredible thing to oversee over the 20 years and I’m really proud of what they’ve achieved.”
Other causes the Op Shop has contributed to include the 2009 Black Saturday recovery and mentorship programs for at-risk boys.
Ms Conway said it is very bittersweet to see the end of the Op Shop, which she has been involved in since Anglicare took it over two decades ago.
“I’d like to thank all the volunteers over all the years for their commitment and passion to the shop,” she said.
“Unfortunately, we just can’t sustain that without adequate resources.”
