Salvation Army op shop in Wantirna South to close due to dumping problem

A POPULAR Wantirna South op shop has been forced to close by dumpers and vandals – with people setting fire to its bin, defecating outside the door and piling up so much rubbish that the store’s tip fees forced it out of business.

Store manager Sharon Schottler with long time volunteer Les Nahoczki and just some of the junk left by dumpers. Picture: Steve Tanner

A WANTIRNA SOUTH op shop has been forced to close after 20 years due to the cost of clearing dumped rubbish.

The Salvation Army Thrift Shop on High St Rd will shut this tomorrow following ongoing issues of people dumping unusable items, broken furniture and piles of garden clippings.

The Salvation Army Thrift Shop in Wantirna South left to count the cost of thieves

Wantirna South Salvos shop targeted by illegal dumpers

Store manager Sharon Schottler said the store had also been targeted by vandals, who set fire to one of their steel collection bins in the rear carpark on Tuesday, November 21.

On two other occasions, people have defecated at the store entrance, she said.

Mrs Schottler said it was “extremely sad” and frustrating.

She said they were spending an average of $240 a week taking rubbish to the tip and that led to them making the difficult decision to not renew their lease.

“It makes you angry,” she said.

“We’ve had such a bad time with people dumping and someone setting fire to the bin.”

Mrs Schottler said she had worked there for four years and the store had been a good meeting point for volunteers and regular customers.

“We’re all very sad and emotional that it’s the end. We believed we were doing good. And we all loved it so much.”

The closing down sale includes 50 per cent off everything in the store, and a collection of bargain items.

The final day is on tomorrow, Thursday, from 9am to 4pm, and after that the Salvos will be selling off the store’s fixtures and shelving.

Details: 9801 4612