Creativity, connection and sustainability at the heart of new Port Macquarie op shop

A COLOURFUL new space in Port Macquarie is quickly becoming a hub for creativity, sustainability and community.

The Arts and Crafts Op Shop, founded by local social entrepreneur Dawn Tindall, offers more than second-hand craft supplies, it’s a place where people can come together, share skills and build connections.

“I opened it for ArtWalk,” Dawn said.

“I thought it was the perfect opportunity to bring people in and showcase what we’re about.”

Located in two adjoining shopfronts in the Colonial Arcade, the space is half op shop stocked with donated arts and crafts goods, and half affordable venue hire.

It’s already hosted crochet classes, painting workshops, and group meetups.

“Anyone can book the space for $15 an hour during the day or $20 after hours.

“It can be for meetings, board game nights, [such as] Dungeons & Dragons – anything that brings people together.”

At its core, the shop is about sustainability.

“Everything here is second-hand except the stickers,” Dawn said.

“We’re trying to keep arts and craft materials out of the landfill by giving them a second life.”

The op shop also plans to host Boomerang Bags, a volunteer sewing group that turns donated fabric into reusable bags, female sanitary pads and other sustainable items.

“We’ve had sewing machines donated, plus fabric from the Players Theatre,” she said.

Dawn’s vision goes well beyond crafting.

With a background in disability employment, she’s building a self-sustaining model that can eventually employ people who want eight to 20 hours of work per week.

“The goal is to support the most vulnerable people in our community – retirees, parents, people with disabilities – through meaningful, local jobs,” she said.

With just two months left in its trial run, the Arts and Crafts Op Shop needs community support.

“Room hire is the biggest way people can help.

“If we can keep it full, we’ll never need grants, and it can all stay local.”

By Sis HIGGINS