Store manager Danielle Volkers stands outside the store and looks to the construction zone. The road is gone, the parking is gone, the access is gone and sadly, the customers have gone.

The store is open from 9am to 3pm Monday to Friday and Mrs Volkers says access to the store is now restricted to foot traffic – people must park elsewhere and walk to the shop. The absence of street access has caused a dramatic drop in customer numbers, reduced donations and been “devastating to daily takings”, says Mrs Volkers.

“We look at aiming at $1000 a day in the store, we now might be making about $200. So that’s a big hit,” she said. “People think the shop is closed. It is not.”

“It’s quite a drop and it’s entirely due to the low numbers of people visiting the store.”

Works began in April and Mrs Volkers says at this stage, access to Pulteney Street will be restricted until September. “It’s a long haul.”

She is quick to commend the company for its consultation with The Salvation Army but adds, “it still doesn’t help when people assume you are not open because they can’t see you, and with half of the road closed it means there is no thoroughfare.”

“No street access and no street parking is the problem and it makes it very difficult for elderly customers and those who are not able-bodied.”

The store is owned by the Taree Salvation Army Corp and all revenue raised from the sales of donated goods is directed into the running its church, social services and welfare services. 

To try to capture some customers and reduce the financial impact of the Pulteney Street roadworks, Mrs Volkers and volunteers have set-up a pop-up op shop at The Salvation Army citadel in Manning Street. 

Volunteers staff the store from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday and Mrs Volkers says the public is beginning to realise it is open. She says the comments of almost all visitors to the shop confirm her fears.

“Every second person that has come into the pop-up store is saying they do not realise we are still open in Pulteney Street. It is big problem.”

Last week thieves targeted The Salvation Army Citadel and pop-up op shop.

Mrs Volkers is hoping the community will act to continue its support of the Pulteney Street store and asks that people continue to visit and donate goods.

“Donations can be dropped in to us or we are happy to collect donations, including good condition furniture, clothing, bric-a-brac and electrical items.”

To arrange collection call the family store on 6552 6105.