Kingston's YMCA opportunity shop opposite Green Square will close at the end of this month as the ACT government prepares the land for a new supermarket development. The site will be auctioned in October and the shop and toilets next door demolished.
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Land Development Agency deputy chief executive Dan Stewart said the YMCA had not asked for an alternative site in Kingston but discussions had been held about expanding its Yarralumla site for a community activity centre.
YMCA Canberra chief executive Jenny McCombe said that since 1961 the Kingston lease had stipulated that either the government or the tenant could exit the arrangement on three months notice.
''We have always known that; we have been very lucky to have stayed there as long as we have,'' Ms McCombe said. "It is very sad [that] an era has come to a close.
''We have looked around the area. That op shop has built up its history; it is part of that community. Finding another place would have been perfect, but commercial times have changed and no peppercorn [rent] arrangements are available.''
A core group of about 25 people have been running the shop, which is open six days a week. Manager Joyce Ovington has been there since the 1970s.
Ms McCombe said they could not afford to pay 90 per cent of their profits in rent. "That's why that one [Kingston] has been such a little gem for us over the years,'' Ms McCombe said. "We know paying rent is hard work for our volunteers because we are in that situation in Belconnen.''
She said the volunteers had been amazing. "It is really interesting, they have built up a relationship with traders. Over the years, [the traders] would give them out-of-season stock. They have had good stock.''
Kingston-Barton group secretary Rebecca Scouller said that given the empty shop space around Green Square, it seemed something could be offered to the YMCA, even a temporary pop-up arrangement.
"I appreciate those shops all have private owners. Let’s hope someone steps up and offers to help them,'' Ms Scouller said. “We don’t want to see a part of the heritage go. Whether the new developer will step up, we can only hope someone does.’’
Ms Scouller said the shop was always occupied and added to the character of Kingston shopping centre.
