The Smith Family Store has a new home and manager Doreen Williams hasn’t stopped smiling.
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The clothing and accessories were moved into the main street shopfront about three weeks ago but on Thursday night the store celebrated with an official opening.
Ms Williams, who has worked for the Smith Family for 12 years, said she still got excited seeing the new clothing arrive at the store.
“I love it. I wanted a job where I felt like I was contributing, I didn’t want a job where I just went to work and then went home. After all these years I still love coming to work,” she said.
After all these years I still love coming to work.
- Doreen Williams
“One of my goals was always to get a brand new store and now it’s here.”
Now the store has grown, the Smith Family wants to grow its volunteer numbers as well.
There are currently three volunteers at the store, Ms Williams said, and another ten are wanted.
Ms Williams said it was a great chance for people to gain retail experience.
“Over time we’ve had volunteers who have never worked in their lives. They’ve come here and picked up some retail skills and then they’ve gone on to get jobs,” she said.
Volunteer Janet Beasley helps out two mornings a week at the store, but said she stays longer if it’s busy.
“I like volunteering. And with the Smith Family as well it means I’m helping 800 kids just in Dubbo alone to get an education,” Ms Beasley said.
“I’ve always volunteered here there and everywhere. Make A Wish, Meals on Wheels, doing the canteen at the school, things like that. I’m a people person. I don’t like to sit alone.”
For anyone thinking of applying, the volunteer said they should just take the plunge.
Ms Williams said she had been working since she was 15-years-old and The Smith Family had been the best job she had ever had.
People loved shopping with the Smith Family, she said.
Forty per cent of the clothing sold at the Dubbo store is brand new, still with tags on. The rest is donated items.
Ms Williams said she is able to order clothing from the Smith Family’s corporate partners.
The Smith Family retail manager Belinda Sullivan said more than 70 per cent of everything received at the stores was recycled.
“Not only do they get great clothing at a competitive price but they’re helping the community, they’re helping the environment,” she said.