By Margaret Maccoll
The very popular Endeavour Foundation Op Shop at Peregian Beach closed its doors during the Coronavirus pandemic and will not reopen as the organisation exits its charity retail business.
Endeavour Foundation sales and marketing manager Steve Waters said the temporary closure of the charity’s retail stores in April due to the pandemic triggered a review of the ongoing operations for the Endeavour Foundation second-hand clothing retail department and the difficult decision was made to permanently close them.
“When we temporarily closed our retail stores in April due to the pandemic, the intention was to re-open once public health guidelines and government recommendations allowed,“ he said.
“This decision has not been brought about by a single incident but by a combination of factors which have made operating in the retail environment increasingly difficult over recent years.
“Changing consumer spending patterns and have taken their toll on our retail network. This includes competition from online retailers, low-priced clothing in large chain stores and increased spending in shopping centres rather than main street locations.“
Mr Waters said services to people with disability would not be affected by the decision and they thanked their staff, volunteers and local communities for years of support and commitment.
“We want our staff and volunteers to know this decision is not based on any underperformance, but on the need to focus as closely as possible on our core mission to support people with an intellectual disability – particularly during times of crisis such as Covid19,“ he said.
Mr Waters said as one of Australia’s largest service providers supporting people with intellectual disability Endeavour Foundation would be focusing its business on front line services and supports to people with disability under the National Disability Insurance Scheme.
“We hope our generous supporters who loved our retail stores will continue to support Endeavour Foundation by visiting our tip shops and recycle markets – including at Buderim and Caloundra, buying tickets in our prize home lotteries or purchasing works of art from our online Q-Art Gallery,“ he said.
Mr Waters said no stock would be wasted.
He said stock from retail stores would be sent to tip shops and recycle markets Endeavour Foundation runs on behalf of local councils including ones at Buderim and Caloundra and leftover high quality stock would be provided to other charity retailers.
