The Buena Vista charity shop in Peisley Street celebrated its 60th anniversary of operating in Orange on Thursday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Manager Irene Dwight is retiring from the position but was present for the celebration and said the shop's name is French for good view, and opened on April 15, 1961.
She said there are currently 42 volunteers and a 60s display has been put in the window detailing the history of the area and shop, as well as showing some 60s fashions.
Mrs Dwight said the charity is run by the United Protestants' Association, commonly known as the UPA with proceeds going to Orange Family Support.
She said the charity shop first opened in a small rented premises in Anson Street where it was only open on Fridays from 10.30am to 4pm.
Quoting from an old Central Western Daily article she said on the first day, "five workers were kept busy all day selling ironing boards, beds, children's toys, a gas stove, jam, flowers, vegetables and clothing of every description".
"In 1963, UPA purchased the original weatherboard Henkes Railway Bakery in Peisley Street with extended opening hours," Mrs Dwight said.
"This two-storey building, believed to have been build circa 1883, with a rickety staircase no one dared to climb for the fear of its collapse, was demolished early 1987.
"The new look op shop, as it is today, was opened in September 1987."
Mrs Dwight said in the early days the shop was an important source of income for the Buena Vista Boys Home in Orange.
"Today, income from the shop assists Orange Family Support Services," she said.
"Buena Vista has come a long way since its beginnings in 1961."
She said the ongoing success of the op shop was the support from the Orange Community, which has continually supported the op shop with a never ending flow of donations and volunteers who have given a lot of time and effort.
"They just love coming and it's a social outing for them as well," Mrs Dwight said of the volunteers.
"I came five years as a volunteer and then 11 as a manager."
As well as having customers come from across Orange to purchase donated items, she said people also came from further afield, as far as Queensland and Victoria.
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark www.centralwesterndaily.com.au
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
HAVE YOUR SAY
- Send us a letter to the editor using the form below ...