Largest Vinnies super store opens in Greystanes

Clothes, furniture, shoes and so much bric-a-brac. The newest Vinnies store in western Sydney has over 1000sq m of retail space for every thrift shop need.

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Thousands of shoes, clothes, knick-knacks and furniture will fill the 1000 metres of retail space at the Vinnies Superstore in Greystanes.

The new space is now the largest Vinnies store in NSW, and the store’s retail operations manager Phillip Basti said he has had trouble keeping the crowds away.

“We weren’t even open and we had people knocking on the doors wanting to come in,” Mr Basti said.

“I knew the response would be strong, but it’s comforting to know that no matter where we are Vinnies is a part of the community that people know they can come to.”

The warehouse has 1000m of retail and 500m of storage space. Picture: Angelo Velardo

Mr Basti said the most popular selling items by far were women’s fashion.

“The costs of women’s fashion are sometimes so exaggerated, and the idea of responsible shopping or thrift shopping is really coming into its own, there’s a surge in popularity,” Mr Basti said.

“We have a lot of dedicated space for women’s fashion, and shoes that are brand new or in near-new quality, and so much bric-a-brac.”

Mr Basti said women’s clothes are the most popular item at the store. Picture: Angelo Velardo

Last year 33 per cent of the total revenue generated by the Vinnies came from the second-hand shops. Including being able to provide more than $1.9 million dollars in assistance, in the form of food vouchers, free clothing, furniture and household goods, and other homelessness prevention measures, and offering warm meals to over 8700 people in the Parramatta area, and clothed 644 children in western Sydney. All made possible, Mr Basti said, through the help of volunteers.

Mr Basti will manage the super store in Greystanes. Picture: Angelo Velardo

“Volunteers are our heartbeat,” Mr Basti said.

“We are always looking for more people willing to lend a hand, because a store of this size, or any of the Vinnies stores could not possibly run without volunteers, we just couldn’t afford them and continue to do the things we do in the community.”

The Greystanes store will be the flagship shop for western Sydney and the home of the Vinnies van which leaves the store each night to assist people living rough with meals, referrals and companionship.

The store is located at 433 Great Western Highway with parking on the premises.