Singleton's Father Riley Op Shop at 251-253 John Street has undergone a change in operations to ensure all income is delivered back into the local Singleton community.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
After seventeen weeks of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the much-loved Op Shop has reopened and will now operate known as the Singleton District Community Op Shop Incorporated.
"We reopened last Wednesday for the first time since shutting down and during the time closed we transitioned to become all incorporated and will now operate as the Singleton District Community Op Shop Incorporated, so that all the money will stay within the local community and assist in Singleton," said Op Shop Worker Joy Patton.
Along with the new name, the Op Shop are also taking on the role of the Father Riley Initiative 'Youth Off the Streets.
"The Father Chris Riley Op Shop unfortunately ran out of lease in June and due to COVID-19 closed many of their services in Sydney and surrounding areas in hope to restart and restructure later this year in September," Ms Patton continued.
"The Singleton Op Shop was the first lease up so that's why we had to cease operating as the Father Riley Op Shop."
Father Chris Riley's 'Youth Off the Street' initiative is a non-denominational community organisation supporting disadvantaged young people as they work to turn their lives around.
"Youth Off the streets has always been supporting young people in assisting them with homelessness and other issues and now its closed down, we (the Singleton District Community Op Shop Incorporated) have been provided the opportunity to carry on the initiative," Ms Patton exclaimed.
The Singleton District Community Op Shop Incorporated (previously Father Riley Op Shop) have helped assist people, businesses and community organisations in need across the Hunter Valley for over twenty years.
"It was a bit of a grim time during the lockdown and the 17 weeks we were closed but we couldn't risk the health of our staff as many of the are in the 'High Risk' category," Ms Patton added.
"We had many phone calls and enquiries of people wondering when we would reopen.
"We are thrilled to be back, back socialising and meeting and greeting the beautiful people of the Singleton community after weeks of inactivity, we were missing the community spirit very much."
The Singleton District Community Op Shop Incorporated is open 9am-4pm Monday to Friday and 8:30am - midday on Saturdays. You can reach the Op Shop on 6572 1789. They are also seeking any volunteers to help with store operations.
