Part-time staff member Nicky Labitta is ready to make new friends around town at Yarrawonga’s new Salvos store.
Yarrawonga is two days away from opening its very own Salvation Army superstore, with more than 500 people expected to flood through the sliding doors, this Friday morning at 9am.
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The former Rivers clothing store, located in the heart of Belmore Street has undergone a Salvos inspired transformation.
The 625 sqm building is now filled with aisles of apparel, furniture, toys and bric-a-brac.
More than 10 years ago, the Salvation Army had a branch in Yarrawonga, which closed after two years.
In December last year, after discovering that Rivers had entered liquidation, the not-for-profit organisation put out feelers to re-open another store in the region.
Regional manager Andrea Menzies said she expects a big, grand opening.
“We do really well with store openings, and being in the main street, it's going to be a busy day,” Andrea said.
“We've had a lot of people try to walk in already when they walk past, which is why my expectations are quite high.”
Meet those who have helped get Yarrawonga’s new Salvos store ready for this week’s opening. Andrea Menzies, Chaplain Leroy Coote, Belinda Williams, Wade Richardson, Joanne Webb and Kylie Lusk.
Staff members have come from different parts of Melbourne including Bacchus Marsh and Deer Park to be a part of the new store.
Nicky Labitta had no idea about Yarrawonga, before her husband relocated to the region for work.
After volunteering for nine months at a Salvos store in Melbourne, Nicky said she is excited to build new relationships with both locals and tourists.
“It will be nice to connect with locals, it’s always a great place to get to know new people and make new friends,” Nicky said.
Regional manager Andrea said the store's items were a combination of new and previously owned.
“Big corporate organizations have reached out wanting to donate products that never made it off the shelves, which is quite generous,” she said.
“Most of the items are from Melbourne, Albury, Wodonga and Wangaratta.
“We’ve been prepping this for months; some of the stores in Melbourne have been saving their stock for the Yarrawonga store.”
Store manager Joanne Webb said she was ready for the expected chaos on opening day.
The shop’s floor is all laid out and awaiting the community’s embrace.
“It may be a little overwhelming for the staff but I’m sure the community and customers will absolutely enjoy having a Salvos store here,” Joanne said.
“And we welcome volunteer enquiries.
“We can offer as little as three hours a week, but we encourage anyone who wants to volunteer to come in and let us know; it would be absolutely great to have more hands on deck.”
Store chaplain Leroy Coote said the store would have a significant impact on the Salvation Army reaching out to a wider part of the community.
“It will especially help those in need, which is what the Salvation Army does extremely well,” Leroy said.
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