Lucy Hohnen, CEO of Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn, and Lindsay Rae, Director Commercial Operations at Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn, in the new Vinnies Braddon store. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Vinnies fans can look forward to colour, movement and even more colour – as well as a shop full of treasures – when its latest store opens in the fashionable centre of Canberra today (Friday 24 November) – Lonsdale Street, Braddon.
Chief executive officer of Vinnies Canberra/Goulburn, Lucy Hohnen, said today’s opening represented a new chapter for the charity, which had served the community for almost 200 years.
“We are absolutely thrilled to open this amazing new store after months of hard work and anticipation,” she said.
“Our shops play an important role in the circular economy of this city, and my hope is that while it generates much-needed funds to run our community programs for people experiencing difficult times, it will also be a place for community connection and inspiration for volunteers and shoppers alike.”
Vinnies Braddon is more than an ‘op shop’; it’s a shopping adventure! Photo: Michelle Kroll.
The new shop, she said, the 28th in the ACT region, would bring a vibrant shopping experience to Braddon – and colour. Local mural artists from Graffix Paint Collective, Geoff Filmer and Raff Taib, have transformed two blank walls adjacent to the shop into massive works of art.
“We are so proud of what has been created on Lonsdale Street,” Ms Hohnen said.
“We hope that the prime retail location in Braddon will provide the funds for those in need in the community while tapping into the local demand among shoppers for vintage fashion.”
She said Vinnies Braddon was “absolutely bursting with racks full of treasures that people have come to expect from their local Vinnies including men’s and women’s clothing, books, manchester, home décor plus garments and toys for children and babies”.
Ms Hohnen said one of the great creative minds behind the new-look Braddon Vinnies was retail development manager Isla Smith.
“Isla had a very clear vision for the space from the very beginning, which was focused on capturing the dynamic personality of Braddon and the result is unlike any of our current shops. It is really a flagship space that has been designed in-house from inception. The fit-out is an explosion of fun and joy themed around a sustainable future and circular economy.
“The entire store is decorated with reclaimed roof sheeting along with bespoke fixtures and fittings to match the unique, edgy culture of the local Braddon neighbourhood.
“We really wanted our first inner-city space to be in the middle of all the action where our younger shoppers already like to hang out. And to have found a prime location in the beating heart of Braddon on Lonsdale St, with great foot traffic was a long-held dream of ours.”
Raff Taib and Geoff Filmer from Graffix paint Collective outside Vinnies Braddon. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Ms Hohnen said despite the new look, the Braddon store would not deviate from Vinnies’ traditional goals of generating much-needed funds to run its community programs, including the upcoming Christmas appeal for singles and families in need.
With the opening of the new store in Braddon, more volunteers are needed – from sorting clothes and books to greeting customers at the front of the store.
“We are always on the lookout for new volunteers across our network of shops,” Ms Hohnen said. “We work hard to ensure volunteers have a great experience working with us.
“If you want to meet new people in your community, have a friendly manner and a willingness to learn and try new things, please contact us at volunteer.cg@vinnies.org.au“.
Visit Vinnies Braddon for opening hours.
@this.is.canberra The highly anticipated opening of Vinnies Braddon has arrived! 🛍️ From 9 am on Friday 24 November, the 600 sqm store will be the 28th store to open in the Canberra/Goulburn region, and comes with it’s very own personality unlike any other. ⭐️ We took a quick peek at the goodies in store – and trust us, there’s A LOT. With over 100 racks, there’s almost two tennis court size areas full of clothing. Alongside this, there’s walls and shelves FULL of all sorts of items. When you shop at Vinnies, you are also supporting an important service for people in our community. Vinnies helps with shelter, hot meals, groceries, bills, education and companionship. It’s really a win-win! #thisiscanberra #vinniescanberra #shoppingcanberra #canberra #opshopfinds
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