Johan Lind finds it important to support those who are vulnerable: "It's about meeting people" he says.
Since September of last year Abbes Second Hand has been at Skellefteåtravet. They are now changing location as it emerged that the detailed development plan only permits selling horse feed and nothing else in those premises.
They have spent about two weeks moving into the new premises and the day before the opening the store is near completion.
– We’re trying to use our experiences from the old place. For example, we had a bit too much in store before so now we’re trying to have a bit less on show in here so it’s more of a boutique.
When Norran visits the store the staff is in the middle of getting everything ready for the grand opening.
The store gets its goods in part from donations and in parts from clear-outs that Abbes städ conducts but also from buying up bankruptcy stock or goods from other closed down shops.
– For example, we bought Odell’s stock when that closed so we have a lot of craft material, gifts and paper material etc., Johan Lind says.
Johan Lind was at first negative towards moving but now he thinks it feels good.
Johan admits that he was quite negative towards moving the operations in the beginning but now he thinks it feels better.
– This location is a lot better. If I look at how many customers walk into Godishuset in half an hour I get teary-eyed, there’s so many. I think this will be great, he says and continues:
– What’s new here is that we'll be open seven days a week. I read a facebook post that asked if there really wasn’t a second hand store that was open on Sundays and I thought “hang on! We have to do that”, so in September we’ll try it and then assess how it has worked out.
NicoLina Lind is preparing the clothing section ahead of the opening.
Johan Lind also sees the work in the second hand store as an opportunity to help vulnerable people and give something back to Skellefteå:
– I also work a lot with people who have mental ill-health, people who are alienated. It started with an unhoused person who came in last year and was freezing. He had 40 kronor in his hand. He took a down jacket, like a SEK 250-300 jacket and asked what it cost. I answered that it cost SEK 40 and he was so happy. That's when the idea was born that I’m going to give something back to Skellefteå.
Abbes Second Hand is moving to Anderstorp.
– I get gifts from Skellefteå so I want to give something back to Skellefteå. To the poor pensioner, the single parent, the unhoused person. Everything shouldn’t be about money, it should also be about meeting and talking to people, Johan says.
The staff at Abbes Second Hand have worked hard to carry out the move. Back row from the left: Johan Lind, Tess Hallin, Marielle Holmström. Front row from the left: NicoLina Lind, Pär Öhman.