IT came as a shock to many in the community when Aberdeen Treasures announced the permanent closure of their shop on Sunday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
However Treasures' Carole Johnston hopes that the closing of one door will mean the opening of a new one.
With a heavy heart, she said she was optimistic the move may pave the way for an enterprising person to start their own op shop in another location in town.
"Our lease was non-negotiable and the new lease would have been a 3.5 per cent rise in rent plus other costs when we already battle to pay our current price," Mrs Johnston.
"We decided it is not an option for us to consider a move to another premises to start again, the expense of setting up, the endless bookwork and guidelines make this not an option for us."
The group has been the beating heart of the Aberdeen community since their formation over 20 years ago.
Whether it's bus shelters, park seating, exercise equipment or even defibrillators, there aren't many projects around town that haven't come about without the involvement of the Treasures team.
The not-for-profit group has donated hundreds of thousands of dollars back to community organisations through the sale of their donated goods.
Mrs Johnston said the decision was an incredibly difficult one, and that all avenues were explored.
"This place has become part of our DNA and I'm sure myself and the other volunteers are going to have terrible withdrawals," she said.
"For the last 20 years I've come up here basically every day."
Over the coming week some items will be placed out the front of the shop in Aberdeen Valley Fair for free, for local residents only.
"All recently donated lovely items have been donated to Aberdeen Care Package Cadets to have a massive garage sale when the world is back to normal," Mrs Johnston added.
"When our books have been finalised, we will donate the small amount we have back to the community."
The volunteers thanked everyone who has been a part of the Treasures family over the past 20 years.