New Vincent's shop to open officially next Wednesday

The Mullingar conference of the Society of St Vincent de Paul’s new store on Friars Mill Road will be officially opened next Wednesday September 20 at noon.

The store, which stocks ladies, gents and children’s clothes, as well as handbags, accessories, music and books, has been doing very good trade since it opened at the end of July.

The move to a larger, more modern unit marked the end of long search by the local conference, after it became apparent that its former outlet on Bishopsgate Street was not fit for purpose. However, if you’re on the lookout for furniture or other household items while still contributing to a worthy local cause, it’s the place to go.

“We found it very hard to get a suitable premises,” conference spokesperson John Burke said. “We had to get somewhere where there was space to sort out clothes and other things. We looked at a lot of places, but some were too big and others too small.

Delighted to be settled in their new home, Mr Burke said that there has been a lot of positive feedback from both members and the store’s customers.

The success of the store, Mr Burke says, is dependent on generosity of its customers and the members of the public who donate items.

“We always welcome good quality donations. However, we can’t take electrical goods of any kind.”

Despite the much reported recovery in the national economy, at a local level Mullingar Conference is still busy providing support to the most vulnerable sections of the community.

Mr Burke says that although the number of people working has increased in recent years, many families whose breadwinners are on low wages continue to struggle to make ends meet.

It is important that this cohort, the working poor, realise that St Vincent de Paul are there to help them in times of need, he says.

The new store’s opening hours are 10am to 4.45pm (Monday to Friday) and 10am to 1pm (Saturday).

If you need help, or wish to volunteer, call the freephone number 1800 677 777.