SPCA branches out into boutique shops

A sustainable clothing store in has opened in central Auckland selling pre-loved designer pieces donated to the SPCA from around the country.

Boutique for SPCA on Ponsonby Rd sells designer clothing and accessories found by SPCA managers among public donations.

They send them to store manager Holly Slater who decides which items are the right quality and will suit the store.

“It's mainly brands, quality fabrics, styles, trending things or that type of stuff," she says.

The store also accepts clothing donations directly.

If items don’t suit the boutique, Slater will send them to other SPCA stores. Even items such as towels and blankets are shared among stores.

“We try not to reject anything But if we do, we take it and hand it over to hospices or the Salvation Army or the village.

"We never want to turn away anything. That’s not what and who we are.”

The high-quality pre-loved clothing is sold alongside  bric-a-brac, and the store uses sustainable tags, labels and bags.

The SPCA has 24 op shops across the country, including six in Auckland. Each accepts clothing, furniture, household items and linen.

However, the SPCA has never opened a store selling exclusively designer and high-quality clothing.

Slater says that if the Ponsonby store goes as well she hopes the SPCA will open more boutique stores.

The idea has been in the works for a while but they “finally bit the bullet and went for it".

Covid lockdowns and restrictions hampered its opening but they finally got off the ground, she says.

Slater, who has a particular love for dogs, loves working at the store, raising money for animals.

“I love the SPCA and I really love working for a charity. I go home every night feeling good about what I do during the day.”

The boutique had a soft opening in at the start of April and is planning a full opening soon.