An ‘op a skip and a jump
Lake Taupō Hospice retail operations manager Georgie Day gets ready to move down the road. Photo: Dan Hutchinson
A reshuffle of Taupō’s op shops will see the Salvation Army Family Store shift to Totara Point and the Hospice Shop move into nearby Danske Mobler.
By Dan Hutchinson
Danske Mobler – one of the original tenants of Totara Point 20 years ago - has been purchased by Van Dyks and will be part of a larger store at Spa Rd, taking up the space vacated by the Salvation Army Shop.
Danske Mobler owners John and Sue Collett had the building purpose-built for the store and have owned and operated it ever since.
Lake Taupō Hospice retail operations manager Georgie Day says the move will allow them to combine their two stores, currently on opposite sides of the road.
"The only reason we went to the Over The Road shop was because we didn't have enough space in here. So, to be back in one shop will be much better for morale and staff and volunteers and everything."
She says it will allow them to put more stock out on the shop floor.
The new location will feature a large sorting area separated by a wall with double doors at the back of the shop. The depot space is significantly larger than their current facilities.
Salvation Army national director of family stores Gareth Marshall confirmed the Taupō store is moving to new premises on Totara st in Taupō, opening on April 11.
The store on Spa Road has already closed but people can contact them on 0800 4 COLLECT to organise a pickup of donations.
It is understood the Salvation Army could end up in the former Furniture Zone building on Totara St but that premises is being used by Election NZ until after the general election on November 7.
John and Sue will be trading as usual from the Danske Mobler shop on Totara St until March 26 and Taupō & Tūrangi News is doing a story on their 20 years in business next week.
They were thrilled that Hospice was moving into their premises.
"Hospice is obviously a wonderful organisation. We do what we can, and we donate as much as we can to them," John says.
The Hospice Shop's Across The Road store closes on March 26, where the Salvation Army will move to temporarily.
Georgie says they will be having a major sale starting on March 21. The main shop closes on April 8.
Lake Taupō Hospice CEO Christine Rankin says the new location is "beautiful" with well-designed spaces for laying out furniture and other settings.
“This is exactly what we've wanted for a long time and our wonderful landlord came up with this option and we were just so excited.”
She was also excited about the Salvation Army Family Store moving in nearby and rumours of a third local op shop interested in Totara Pt as a location.
In Auckland, they can be literally two or three doors apart," she says, citing Milford's main shopping precinct where about six op shops operate in close proximity, all remaining busy.