After nearly half a century of operating in the heart of Greerton, the James Place Opportunity Shop will close its doors this coming Tuesday, February 28.

It won't be for long however, and the op shop will have a new lease of life in a fresh location.

Shona Middendorf, who has been a volunteer at the op shop for 40 years, shares some of its Greerton history ahead of the move.

Shona says the op shop opened in 1974, the year her son was born.

'The op shop started in the tyre room that was attached to the Caltex service station, which was on the corner of Chadwick Rd and Cameron Rd.”

Then the shopping block was built in Chadwick Rd and the op shop shifted there upon completion.

'We've been there ever since 1989.”

New beginnings

With more than 48 years in Greerton, the op shop isn't about to leave the village yet. The shop will reopen in the Saint James Union Church at 70 Pooles Rd.

'They've got a reasonable space in the church hall and that will just be partitioned off. It'll be quite pleasant and open, and it'll be looked after too.”

Shona says closing the op shop based at 217 Chadwick Rd has been a financial consideration.

'We were in a situation where we were paying for rent, paying for electricity, a shop manager and we were only making enough to cover those expenses really.

'We've only ever sold goods that are donated. We've never purchased goods to sell.”

The op shop's earnings over the years have supported the church and community.

'We gave a monthly donation to community groups,” says Shona, "including Homes of Hope, Stroke Foundation, the community patrol and more."

Mixed feelings

Asked how she feels about this chapter of the op shop coming to an end, Shona says: 'I've got mixed feelings of course because it's been part of my life for a long time.

"We've met people from all around the country who've popped in to see us for whatever reason. You have a chat with them, find out where they're from and it's a real community thing.”

Now Shona hopes this community spirit follows the shift. The op shop will reopen at Saint James Union Church, 70 Pooles Rd, Greerton, early-April.

'You'll still find the same happy, helpful volunteers – just in a different location.

'We're just looking to the community to continue coming in and seeing us, having a chat and finding a bargain… so that we can continue to support the church and the community.”