After many months of preparation and help from local organisations and volunteers, Madrugada’s latest charity shop has opened in Almancil.
Called Encore Boutique, it is unlike any other charity shop in the Algarve as it specialises in ladies fashions and accessories enabling customers to purchase quality high street label and designer clothes without spending a fortune.
Equally it offers people the chance to donate high quality clothes without the feeling that they will just be stacked up with the normal mix of goods taken in by charity shops. At the same time, of course, they will be helping Madrugada raise money in order to aid people and their families affected by life limiting illness.
But Encore Boutique has another dimension in that it is offering small traders, unable to afford a high street retail outlet, the chance to become a ‘pop-up shop’ one day a week and also provide them with a promotional contact base five days a week.
First to take up the opportunity is Sandra Stephens Interior Design who on Wednesdays shows how she can brighten and change the look of your home or simply source items like curtains, bedding and even wallpaper.
On Tuesdays it is the turn of Kiki Batchelor who organises Anne Summers parties in the Algarve. Kiki will be selling a range of glamorous underwear and taking bookings for what is described as ‘the ultimate girls night in’. Certainly not something found in your average charity shop!
Encore Boutique has only been made possible thanks to the efforts and generous donations from the following: Andy Worthington of Estrela Property Management, Almancil, who installed the interior shop fittings; Direct Transport, Porches, who brought them over from the UK; Candilamp Lighting Ltd, Almancil, who supplied and fitted all the shop’s lighting; and Sandra Stephens for supplying the shop’s soft furnishings.
Madrugada President Alison Blair would also like to take this opportunity to thank the wonderful team of volunteers who run Encore Boutique which is open from 10am to 4pm Monday to Friday. It is located in Rua Cristovão Pires Norte 141, Almancil.
For more information, please call 962 923 979.
