'Kimono frenzy': Op-shoppers snap up donated garments
Bargain-hunters descended on the mission's Barbadoes St and Sydenham stores, rifling through bins and boxes full of long, short, floral, checked, bright, pastel, metallic, patterned and plain kimonos.
City Mission retail team leader Josie Cox said its Facebook post on Tuesday about a "treasure trove" of kimonos for sale for $2 each had spread far and wide, resulting in queues at the Barbadoes St door.
"It's a kimono frenzy. We've had a huge donation of kimonos, thousands. We haven't been able to keep up.
"We're selling them for $2 each and they've just gone mad. This morning there were probably 40 people waiting to come in. We've had two days of madness."
Shopper Nicky Page said she had spent time in Japan and was "blown away" by the amount of garments. Photo: RNZ
Staff said the kimonos had arrived at the op shops in three trucks and two vans and had been snapped up so fast that restocking had been difficult.
No two kimonos were the same, with shoppers also buying the garments for fabric.
Cox said all op-shop proceeds went to the work of the City Mission so she was thrilled by the volume of sales.
"We had a ground-breaking day yesterday, big sales for the shop, it's amazing," she said.
City Mission workers Tina Burrows (left) and Josie Cox. Photo: RNZ
The City Mission declined to comment further about the identity of the donor.
Shopper Nicky Page said she was admiring the kimonos' texture and contemplating how she might be able to repurpose them.
"I can't believe what I'm seeing. Having spent time in Japan I know the value of these things, so I'm quite blown away by what I'm seeing here," she said.
"I was just coming for a look but I've already got a pile of about 10 and I think that pile keeps growing."
Michelle Boardman was looking for something special for her granddaughter.
"My granddaughter loves anything Japanese and eventually wants to go to Japan. She's studying Japanese, what a great opportunity to get her something that's really special."
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