THINGS must be turning around with COVID-19, because the big Salvos Cleveland store has reopened.
Hard on the back of the easing of rules for real estate agents, schools, cafes, national parks and play grounds, one of Redlands biggest used goods stores is gearing up.
Salvos spokeswoman Madeleine McGowan said the Shore Street West store was one of the busiest outlets on Brisbane's southern side so it was chosen as the first to re-open.
The store opened Monday and would allow management to test demand, help locals in need and road test donation quarantine, social distancing and hygiene practices as per Queensland government legislation.
"While we were closed we had the opportunity to do a deep clean in our stores and also get the best quality stock onto our shop floor," Ms McGowan said.
"We have Salvos store managers from all over Brisbane helping Salvos Cleveland get back on its feet with social distance training and new store procedures.
"We have a huge range of quality goods ready to sell and all the funds raised go to helping locals through life crisis - such as what many of us are currently experiencing through this pandemic."
Cleveland store manager Dana Dorrington said the store had been hectic since reopening.
Ms McGowan said the Salvos had 15 stores south of the Brisbane River, ranging from Ipswich to Cleveland.
COVID-19 had a massive impact on the chain, with sales falling by a whopping 85 per cent.
"It's a huge amount," she said. "The store has been closed for six weeks but even prior to that people were scared to go out so sales plummeted. It's been a massive impact."
Ms McGowan said the charity needed to get money flowing again.
"We're packed full of goodies," she said. "We have a heap of stuff and we are keen to get it moved on. We are also looking for more donations."
Ms McGowan said volunteers were keen to be back to work as they had missed the social interaction.
"For many of our Salvos store volunteers this is more like a second family than a job," she said.