Thanks to the generosity of a supporter, a shop in Glenferrie Road, Hawthorn became available for a minimal rent and the New and Old Opportunity Shop opened at this new site on August 10, 1978. It continued to be staffed entirely by volunteers until 1995 when a paid manager was employed 3 days a week. By 1997, business had improved to such an extent that this was increased to 5 days. Volunteers remained a vital part of the business.

Due to death of the owner and sale of the property, the op shop needed to look for new premises. These were found at Holy Trinity Church, Kew, when church authorities offered an empty building for rental. The shop opened for business at this new site in May 2002.

Situation in 2010-11

Since the move to Kew, income has more than doubled and the CMS/MMA New and Old Opportunity shop has become a lively part of the shopping experience in Kew, a vital part of the local community and part of the witness of the church. This is all due to the hard work and enthusiasm of managers and volunteers and quality donations. There is a continuous need for goods such as clean clothes, shoes, books and kitchen ware but the main profit comes from “treasures” - goods such as old china, bric-a-brac, old linen and lace, vintage clothing, jewellery and paintings. Hand crafted items are also very popular, especially clothes for new born babies, jumpers for children up to age four and colour co-ordinated rugs.

One of the managers commented,

“Stampings on the bottom of fine china indicate the sort of names that give us goosebumps. Just about anything old with a stamp on the bottom is excellent. And beautiful items like an old biscuit tin sell well despite a shabby condition”.

Two thirds of profits are used by MMA to fund projects as described in the project pages of this web-site, one third is donated to CMS.

Visitors are very welcome to come and see as well as to browse and buy. A visit to the shop can be an interesting day’s outing for any group looking for something different.

The manager can be contacted on 9853 0119 in working hours:

Monday – Friday 10-4,
Saturday 10-12.

Opportunity Shop Photo Gallery - click on a thumbnail image for larger view