Sylvanvale’s retail therapy vintage and cafe store at Caringbah is having a golden year.
The store marks its 50th anniversary on November 14.
The non-profit shop employs people with a disability, provides valuable work experience and promotes inclusion.
A dedicated team of 40 volunteers play an integral role in running the store, which sells recycled vintage and retro clothing, homewares and other trinkets of sorts.
It was first established in 1968 by the Ladies Auxiliary, a group of passionate Sylvanvale mothers who made it their mission to create dynamic community-based fundraising projects throughout Sutherland Shire and Blue Mountains.
In 1971, the shop was relocated to Park Lane where it became so popular and well-known that bigger premises were needed.
So in 2011, the shop moved to its current location on President Avenue.
In 2016, the little shopping hub expanded again, to include a pop-up cafe catered by another non-profit business, Sylvanvale Catering. It also included an area where members could access designer donations.
Funds raised from every sale support and empower people with a disability.