Factory hits the ground running

Mangawhai’s latest edition to retail outlets, a second-hand store designed specifically to benefit the community, has been conveyed as a runaway success with profits exceeding projections.

Mangawhai Community Opportunity Shop Trust [MCOST], officially launched on October 14 with the opening of the organisation’s main funding resource, Mangawhai Opportunity Factory.

MCOST trustee, Ken Rayward, says since opening, the store has proved to be a ‘double opportunity shop with great bargains and even greater opportunities being created’ for the benefit of the area.

“The first week of trading has doubled our expectations, due to the wonderful community support with both product donations and customer support,” Rayward says. “It’s developing into a wonderful community hub and is being acknowledged as a hugely welcome community initiative.”

MCOST’s vision is to help finance local projects that aim to bring significant social benefits to the community, with funding rounds taking place bi-annually.

Due to the early success, Rayward says the trust has had to employ a manager for the store, Phillipa King, and is also putting a call out for more volunteers.

“The Factory would especially love to see some enthusiastic male volunteers to assist with product refurbishment, unloading of product drop-offs and product pick-ups,” Rayward says. “And of course we also need a lot more product!”

n Want to find out more? Call 09 431 3098 or drop by the Mangawhai Opportunity Factory, 5 Wood Street, Mangawhai Heads.

Photo: Local volunteers with welcoming smiles, from left Sharon Devey, Ken Rayward and Clare Williams with new shop manager, Phillipa King.