Hawkesbury - The Mecca Of Second Hand Stores?

She’s been visiting second-hand stores since she was a child, with her parents in Dural.

Now, she owns two second-hand stores in South Windsor - Nina’s Pre-loved Goods and Nina’s Pre-loved Books.

“I wanted to give things a second and third life,” Nina said.

“I have noticed people throw everything away and it’s not good.

“People need to recycle more.

“It’s important.”

A single mum with four children of her own and a former foster carer of two young children, Nina opened Nina’s Pre-loved Goods hoping her children would know that she had done something meaningful for the community and the Earth.

“I started my journey by collecting items from the side of the road and selling them online,” Nina said.

“I booked in and did a business course.”

In order to raise the deposit to start her business, Nina had three garage sales with items given to her by family members and friends.

She looked at shops at Riverstone, Boxhill, Kellyville, Kenthurst, Seven Hills, Annagrove, Vineyard, Marsden Park and Dean Park.

As generous as Nina is, she is very clear when speaking with anyone from the community that she is running her own business, not a charity.

“I love my job,” Nina said.

“Every day is different.

“I listen to people all day long.

“I help where I can.”

Nina has created more than a second-hand store, though.

In fact, she has a chair in the shop for those who just need a chat.

“Hugs come for free here, too,” Nina said.

She welcomes hugs, dogs, chickens, lizards, snakes and birds, too.

Everyone is welcome at Nina’s.

Even though things have been tough with the rising cost of living pressures, Nina has signed on for another five years.

“What I think the community needs is bus loads of people to come in and experience our shops,” Nina said.

“Second hand shops are opening up everywhere.”

Nina invited people to come and experience what the Hawkesbury second-hand stores and the wider community have to offer.

“Bring your girlfriends, bring your family, bring your mothers group, organise a retirement bus - just get yourself to the Hawkesbury second-hand stores,” Nina said.

Nina has drawn up a list of all of the second-hand and recycled stores and displayed it in her store, encouraging visitors to her stores to take a photo and explore the other outlets as well.

Nina thanked her 70-year-old working mother for her support over the years.

“My mum is a rock - she is amazing,” Nina said.

“She makes dry flower arrangements to see in the shop and she makes all my dog blankets and does repairs to clothing and sorts and looks after my warehouse, checks the clothing, but I could not do this job without my mum.

“She always makes the time to help me out all the time.

“She is a godsend to me.

“I’m forever grateful for her love and compassion.”

• Topics:

• Business
• Shopping