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Everyone was a winner when a group of young people from the Coast decided to open a pop-up shop in Silverdale recently to sell new clothing that all had a price tag of zero.
The Free Shop was the initiative of Coast Community Trust, in conjunction with Coast Youth.
Trust community programme coordinator Caitlin Watson said the trust had been given bags of end-of-line and end-of-season clothing last year, mostly from The Warehouse.
“There were hundreds of items for men, women and children, and it was mostly winter clothing,” Watson says.
The pop-up shop opened from just one hour in the Coast Vineyard Hub and was staffed by about 15 young people who served, babysat while parents tried on clothes, and gave out biscuits and hot chocolates.
“The people who came in were very appreciative of the opportunity to add some warm clothes to their wardrobes. There were a number of family groups, solo parents and grandparents buying clothes for their grandchildren.
“The young people enjoyed the opportunity to help people who were obviously struggling to keep up with the rise in living costs.”
Watson says based on the success of this first Free Shop, the trust would like to run two a year, at the start of summer and winter. However, this would depend on whether they could source the clothing.
If anyone can help, they can contact Watson at: caitlin@coast.org.nz
