A community initiative in Arrowtown has diverted a large amount of forgotten merchandise from landfill, while also raising more than $2000 for the Arrowtown Post Office.
Arrowtown Promotion & Business Association (APBA) and Impact Apparel & Merchandise joined forces with a host of Arrowtown businesses, including The Golden Fleece, The Gold Nugget, The Woolpress Ltd, Lakes District Museum and the Post Office, to sell more than 10 large boxes of Arrowtown-branded merchandise.
Impact Apparel & Merchandise discovered the merchandise, with current branding, in its storage space, but instead of disposing of it, APBA manager Nicky Busst saw the opportunity for a mutually-beneficial outcome.
She approached the retailers and proposed selling the surplus merchandise to them complementary, with a commission benefiting the retailers.
The remaining profits went to the privately-owned but community-run post office, which has been facing challenges remaining
open.
Busst says over the past eight months the retailers sold off the stock, which included mugs, beer coolers, bottle openers and shot glasses, raising a total of $2086.84 for the post office.
Its manager, Shalagh Madigan, says they’re extremely grateful to APBA and Impact for helping to raise the ‘‘invaluable funds’’.
‘‘We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to all the businesses involved, their support and commitment to our community have made a significant difference.’’
