By Luke Voogt
Geelong siblings Arje and Charlie Poeder put on a brave face as the latest lockdown proved one too many for beloved Grovedale institution The Dress Up Place.
“We are going to have to shut our shopfront,” said founding member Julie Hall, who has been with the organisation for 13 years.
“It costs $3000 a month just to stay open. We had to use up our reserves to keep going as long as we have.”
But locals can still help with The Dress Up Place planning a garage sale on August 7, dependent on restrictions, before going into “hibernation”.
“We’ve been through our 26,000 costumes and pulled out excess stock,” Julie said.
The not-for-profit hopes to sell space-consuming costumes with big heads, such as Sponge Bob Square Pants and Mickey and Minnie, before packing the remainder into council-donated storage.
“We will continue to honour our commitment to schools and amateur theatres, it will just be done a different way,” Julie said.
Details: email contact@thedressupplace.com.au
