The Wānaka Hospice Shop has opened its super-sized space at the extended Brownston Street premises this week.

Otago Community Hospice CEO Ginny Green said the space was now a “super store” for Wānaka featuring high-turnover secondhand goods ranging from clothes to knick-knacks, books and homewares. 

Last year the organisation decided to close down its other warehouse shop on Gordon Road “in order to simplify our secondhand shop operation and to bring our volunteers and staff together in one space”, Ginny said.

It was able to lease the premises right next to the existing Brownston Street store, which it has been renovating for the past month in order to reopen as one much larger store.

“It has been all hands to the pump to empty out the warehouse, prepare the new space and then set up all the stock.”

Ginny said the central location and the new space has enabled the hospice shop to improve its stock  processing, which previously took place at the Gordon Road store.

Inside the new part of the shop.

It also means locals have a “one-stop shop” with easy drop-off for donations.

New shop manager Jo Baynes had to “hit the ground running”, opening the new store just one month after taking on the role.

“Jo comes with retail experience, as well as having been a volunteer coordinator of Kidz Kartz Southland, so she was well-prepped to step into this role,” Ginny said. 

Money raised via Otago Community Hospice stores helps the organisation provide free, specialist palliative care services.

“With great parking and easy walking distance from the town centre, we are looking forward to the Wānaka Hospice shop continuing to delight locals and travellers alike, and at the same time supporting the Otago Community Hospice specialist palliative care service in the Upper Clutha,” Ginny said.

The Wānaka Hospice Shop is located at 11 Brownston Street.

It’s open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and 10am-2pm on Saturdays.

PHOTOS: Wānaka App