Maple Leaf Chapter IODE celebrates a 73-year history of its Opportunity Shop

The Opportunity Shop (Op Shop).

Founded before women could vote in 1901 by Margaret Polson Murray, the IODE club was a revolutionary idea during this time and is now celebrating 125 years.

With the aim to promote patriotism and assist veterans and their families initially, the IODE soon focused on supporting and growing access to much-needed medical care.

Over the course of the last two months, readers have learned that IODE was instrumental in orchestrating the purchase of the original Alexandra Marine and General Hospital (AMGH) and providing supplies for service men and women during both world wars.

Locally, our chapter along with the Ahmeek chapter, provided food and drink for the dances at the MacKay Centre for servicemen stationed in the Royal Canadian Airforce bases in Goderich, Clinton and Port Albert.

This week we dive into the historical past of our dearly beloved Opportunity Shop (Op Shop).

In the early 1950s The Maple Leaf Chapter wanted an independent means of fundraising besides the usual bake sales, penny raffles, fashion shows and tea parties.

In 1953, Mrs. George Filsinger and Mrs. Frank Curry (you will notice the use of their husband’s first names instead of their own names), were the energetic MLC members who proudly opened the doors of our very first Opportunity Shop, located on Newgate Street. Not many businesses can brag of service to their local community for 73 years.

Looking back 73 years for a visual of the inside of our very first Op Shop - the shop can be described as painted pink with blue tables. Pink and blue curtains surrounded the dressing change room. Old kitchen cupboards were transformed into shelving, and they were also painted pink. These women were in a coordinated waste not, want not mode.

In the early ‘50s, many people were slowly recovering economically from the effects of the Second World War and the shop provided reasonably priced, second-hand clothing as well as other items. Just like today, the proceeds from the shop funded educational scholarships, the hospital and assistance to community projects locally, provincially and nationally.

Over 73 years, the Op Shop has had many locations. In the later end of the 1950s, the shop moved from Newgate Street to an old house on East Street across from the present-day post office.

In 1961, the property was purchased by the Bank of Montreal, and the shop was relocated to Kingston Street.

Then, in 1973, the shop was once again relocated from Kingston Street, back to East Street to a building across from Knox Presbyterian Church. That’s four moves in 20 years.

In 1978, the Op Shop celebrated its 25th anniversary of service to the Goderich community on July 20 – 22, during the town’s “Festival of the Arts Days”, offering bargain shopping from 10:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.

Many items were 25 to 50 cents and absolutely nothing was priced over $20.00. Coveted items at great prices were barn clothes, cottage clothes, and buttons and zippers removed from old clothing. Over the years, our merchandise has sure evolved.

By 1994, the Op Shop relocated once again to the small house owned by the Edward family, on Anglesea Street. It is here we enjoyed our longest tenure of 25 years.

In late 2019, the shop was relocated to our present-day location at 3 North Street, owned by the Strickland family. This move occurred just prior to the 2020 Covid pandemic which lasted over two years.

The Maple Leaf Chapter IODE can be very proud of our Opportunity Shop’s 73-year history in Goderich. Over the years, our dedicated membership has consistently demonstrated detailed, industrious and inventive effort while having fun and making wonderful friendships.

Maple Leaf Chapter members have generously given of their time, talents and even property to benefit others in our community.

Most importantly of all, we have maintained our IODE mission goal to improve the quality of life for children, youth and those in need, through educational, social service and citizenship programs. The Opportunity Shop has been pivotal in achieving this goal.

Our teamwork, as Canada’s oldest and largest chapter, continues to make the dream work.

Penny Murray is the Maple Leaf Chapter IODE Goderich Regent