oving to a new town can be daunting, especially to a country village like Greyton where every-one seems to know everyone else, and you feel like the outsider but step inside one of the town’s several charity shops and that perception changes in a heartbeat.
It offers affordable, basic necessities for the broader community; you can clothe a family without breaking the bank, put sheets and blankets and pillows on beds, find work shoes and smart shirts for Dad, and stock a kitchen.
You’re entering an environment driven by compassion and social impact, not profit margins and career goals. The volunteers who work there share a deep love for the charities they serve, and it shows in their treatment of customers. There’s an undeniable warmth to every greeting, and suddenly the shop becomes a comfortable place to get to know the locals.
And there are always treats in store that surprise and delight – like the Royal Doulton cups that make exquisite candle holders, the antique brass for your mother’s collection and the almost new novels selling for a song.
At EARS Donkey Sanctuary’s Charity Shop in Main Road our regular shoppers enthusiastically share local info with newbies, like where to find the best pizza/plumber/garden service, how to keep kids entertained and what to show visitors when they come to town. It’s a social hub for Greytonians, but it’s so much more too.
For Gen Z’ers who strive for sustainability coupled with individuality, charity shops are heaven sent, and for newcomers who discover they’ve brought too much of their old lives into their smaller home, the shops welcome discards with open arms. When we arrived in Greyton six years ago, we knew only one other person living here but through volunteering for EARS (even though I knew very little about donkeys)
and eventually working in the charity shop my social circle exploded. If you’re looking to make new friends, or understand our village a little better consider shopping at or volunteering in a charity shop.
You’ll be surprised how welcome you’ll feel. TONI YOUNGHUSBAND
Turn your dream into a reality 3 Bedrooms
Character-filled lifestyle property between Greyton & Riviersonderend
