Mecwacare op-shops reopen in Malvern, Hawthorn, Windsor

There is relief in sight for those who love a bargain and those doing it tough financially, with a group of op-shops in the inner east set to reopen.

mecwacare has reopened its four op shops, including this one in Windsor, to help support those who rely on the service as winter approaches.

Thrifty shoppers across the inner east are salivating today with the prospect of at least four op shops opening up once again.

Community not-for-profit mecwacare has decided to start selling at its Malvern, Hawthorn, East Malvern and Windsor stores.

Like most businesses, op shops closed once social isolation measures kicked in, but their stocks are likely to have boomed as people cleaned out their houses during the shutdown.

Dumping at op shops has been an issue during the shutdown. Picture: Alison Wynd

On a Facebook post, the company said it had made the move because winter was rapidly approaching and many vulnerable people in the community relied on them for warm clothes, blankets and other items to help them through the colder weather.

“With this in mind, we have made the decision to reopen our opportunity shops,” it said.

“We have some great new stock thanks to the wonderful generosity of people who have used the COVID-19 lockdown as an opportunity to clean out their cupboards and garages.”

While mecwacare has been thankful for the donations, op shops across Melbourne have been used as dumping grounds and charity bins are overflowing, with unwanted goods going to waste.

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mecwacare will enforce precautionary measures at each shop to protect staff, volunteers and customers, including 1.5m social distancing and limiting the number of customers in the store at any one time.

The shops are at 136 Wattletree Rd in Malvern, 111 Auburn Rd in Hawthorn, 299 Waverley Rd in East Malvern and 52 Chapel St in Windsor.