The St Vincent de Paul Society has announced it’s Armidale shop on Bundarra Road will be closing its doors on Friday, February 28, but is assuring customers their shopping needs will be met through the remaining store.
Louis Smalbil, Retail Manager for Vinnies’ North West region, says the decision to close Bundarra Road was made due to costs of sustaining two shops, and they hope combining the two shops will result in a better offering for the Armidale community.
“The warehouse was set up over ten years ago to cater for what was then 19 shops within the Armadale Diocese,” said Smalbil.
“The Bundarra Road location is only servicing eight stores since the oganisation opened a Tamworth warehouse. The warehouse that we’re currently operating out of on Bundarra Road only does half of what it used to do going back a bit.”
“As with all organisations and businesses, we’re forever looking at ways and means of reducing costs. By reducing costs, we can put more money back into the pool to be able to service those people in need.”
Smalbil says the decision to close the complex was not a rushed decision, but one taken over many months.
While the Bundarra Road location might be closing, Vinnies assures shoppers they can find a bargain at the remaining stores on Rusden Street in Armidale.
“At this point in time it is able to handle furniture, and it will be able to handle electrical goods in the near future as we’re about to put in a some additional fixtures and fittings to allow it to be able to cater for the needs of the community better than what it currently does.”
As well as shops in surrounding towns including Tamworth, Walcha, Uralla, Guyra, Inverell, Glen Innes and Tenterfield.
The Bundarra shop has eight volunteers- three who have chosen to retire on the store’s final day, while the five others will move to Rusden Street.
“We’d like to thank the Armidale community for their patronage over the last 10 years and we have been very happy to serve the needs of the community.”
There will be a sale period to help clear stocks, but once the shop is closed the remaining stock will be dispersed amongst the Vinnies shop network.
At this time, donations will no longer be accepted at the Bundarra Road site. People wishing to drop off good are advised to visit the shop at 162 Rusden Street.
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