By Renee Wood
The Lion’s Den op shop has been in the Healesville CBD for 35 years but now it will be making the move to Old Lilydale Road.
Due to rental changes, the Healesville Lions Club has made the decision to move into its very own building behind the club’s hall which they club has owned since the 60s.
Residents have supported the shop for decades and its hoped this will continue at the new site, with the all profits over the years going towards the benefit of the community.
Since the local Lions Club first began in 1961, the beneficiaries have been schools, fire brigades, SES, ambulance, Coronation Park, Maroondah retirement establishment, gazebos, gardens benches, and early works at the Healesville hospital.
This was all achieved through the help of the community by purchasing goods at the Lions Den Op Shop and other fundraising events such as market stalls.
Coordinator of the Healesville Lion’s Den op shop Elaine Dossor has been with the Lions Club since 1968 and said she is ‘pretty proud’ of what the club and members have achieved and continue to do.
“All the Lions members a pretty good, hard workers, they believe in what they’re doing,” Ms Dossor said.
The members are now excited to start this next chapter for the shop and are expecting to open the new store in November.
“It’s a fresh approach and I think it gives you a bit of a lift in what you’re doing, you know… now we’ve got another challenge.”
Ms Dossor said it’s only the location that is changing.
“Nothing’s changed except the place, the aim of the op shop will still remain the same to serve the community.
“We want to thank the general public for the help that they’ve given us over the years.”
The Maroondah Highway shop will be closed after market day on Sunday 2 October.
The new shop at 9-11 Old Lilydale Road, Healesville will be opening in November and will open every day but closed on Mondays and Wednesdays.
