Pru calls time on clothing exchange

A Moreton Bay shop, set-up to help struggling families buy affordable clothing, is to close its doors this month.

Pru Burke, who started Blackbird Clothing Exchange nine years ago, said on social media her store at 318 Oxley Ave, Margate, is shutting down.

In an emotional post, Pru says it has been a “wonderful journey” with Blackbird Clothing Exchange, but the decision was made for health reasons.

“Thank you everyone for your love and support over the last nine years,” she said, “(it’s) the proudest thing I have ever done.

“The shop requires me to work 80-100 hours a week, which is just stupid for a woman my age. Something will have to give and this is it.

“Thank you everyone who has been coming in, seeing me, talking with me, giving me beautiful words of encouragement.”

Comments online included Kate Mary who said: “Thank you Pru for everything you have done. You are a gift of a human.”

Formally Ever After Qld added: “Pru you have been an absolute angel to so many, honestly you’ve changed lives and inspired us all.”

Kerry Elzomor wrote: “This is so sad to hear. Always so uplifting to see your smiling face every time we came in. Wishing you all the best.”

Pru said customers have until the end of the month to use any credits and she will not be taking any donations in that time.

“We need to help clear all the stock,” she said, “all is staying at half price, selling off racks, coathangers, everything has to go - except the wedding dresses.”

Blackbird Clothing Exchange has been at its present location since March 2019 after two years operating from Pru’s home.

The idea came soon after Pru had just bought her youngest child a complete winter wardrobe, only to discover she had a 15cm growth spurt before wearing them.

She instead decided to sell them and other unwanted goods via online platforms.

Realising there was a need for a store like Blackbird Clothing Exchange, she opened it from her garage four weeks later.

“People could get value out of their (unwanted) goods and get something in return and it made it cheap and easy for families,” Pru told Moreton Daily at the time.

She started with children’s clothing, then added maternity wear and clothing for the whole family before opening a shopfront.