Aussie Veterans Opportunity Shop opens in Boronia Mall

A MUCH-LOVED op-shop is hoping to breathe new life into a shopping centre in Melbourne’s outer east.

Aussie Veterans Opportunity Shop owners Fiona and Mick Quinn, with Boronia Mall centre manager Lawrence Peresso (centre) cut the ribbon to open the new store. Picture: Stuart Milligan

A MUCH-LOVED op-shop is hoping to breathe new life into Boronia Mall.

The Aussie Veterans Opportunity Shop opened earlier this week after moving from Erica Ave, Boronia.

Boronia Mall centre manager Lawrence Peresso said the op-shop was a good fit.

“I could have opened up a dance studio but.... we wanted to get more people into the centre and they always have people coming in and out.”

Boronia Mall revitalisation top of mind for new centre manager

Boronia Mall manager hits back at “blight on Boronia” claim

Mr Peresso said he was happy with his decision and had already seen a noticeable difference at the mall.

“On opening, they (the op-shop) were flat out. More people are going upstairs,” he said.

“It was the right choice by a mile.”

Op-shop manager Fiona Quinn said it took months of hard work but she was excited about the change.

“It’s a totally different-looking store. We have new counters, racks and change rooms that were purposely-built for the shop,” Ms Quinn said.

The Drop In Cafe that was at the op-shop’s old site isn’t moving with the store but is due to open next month (Feb) at a different spot in the mall.

Signing on for a lease totalling 15 years, Ms Quinn said she was enthusiastic about the future.

The shop had been in doubt after news Aldi wanted to move in on the Erica Ave site.

Aldi asked the council to amend its planning scheme, allowing a change in zoning of 1-23 Erica Ave from Commercial 2 to Commercial 1 so it could open there.

If adopted, the proposal would see the existing retail shops removed from the site and construction of two new shops — a supermarket and a retail premises — at 1-13 Erica Ave.

Amendment C145 — to rezone an area including the site where Aldi wants to build — has been approved by Knox Council and has been sent to the State Government for approval.