A Woodstock shelter for abused women and children has given its charity shop a name and a makeover in an effort to draw more customers.
The shop, which is run by the St Anne’s Home at its premises on the corner of Roodebloem Road and Balfour Street, is now known as Annie’s Corner Charity Shop, and it sports a new, bright yellow awning and a fresh coat of paint.
The home started the shop in 2019, but without any signage, too few people knew about it and it made little income, according to St Anne’s Home director Joy Lange.
The new-look shop now makes almost eight times the income it used to make, she says.
This shop sells second-hand clothing, jewellery, ornaments and bric-a-brac.
Liz Weiner is the shop supervisor and Sydné West is the shop assistant.
“I have learned a lot about retail, and we have more clients, which brought in new business,” says Ms West.
The shop has a customer database, and there’s a swipe facility for those wanting to pay by card.
“With this database, if we have any new items of stock, we can send the clients a WhatsApp message to inform them about it,” says Ms Lange.
Ms Lange encouraged people to donate to the shop, which will pick up stock from any donors who don’t have transport within a 20km radius.
The revenue from the shop helps to sustain the home, she says. “It covers the water, electricity, transportation and food expenses as well as medical expenses.
“Our economic climate is deteriorating rapidly, the petrol price keeps going up, food prices are up, how do we cope?”
Annie’s Corner Charity Shop is open Mondays to Fridays, from 8.30am until 3pm.
Call 021 448 6792 or 021 448 8513 or email info@stanneshomes.org.za for more information or to donate.
