The family store closed its doors for the final time on Friday afternoon, after a week of moving stock and shelves off the floor.

Manager Stephen Barrott said the move was due to a change in the classification of the store.

"We changed from Salvation Army Family Store to Salvation Army Store; they're two completely different things," he said.

"There's not much difference, expect it is run by different people."

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The Salvos will be moving into the former Beck's Bakery building in George Street, opposite George Street Plaza.

The store will be located downstairs, while the Salvos' welfare services will be situated upstairs.

Mr Barrott thinks it will be a good location for the charity.

"It's in the middle of town and they've actually done it all up for us. It's actually very nice," he said.

The Salvos store will no longer offer furniture, but people in need will still be able to buy clothing and bric-a-brac.

Mr Barrott said the store will open in early May. For those who need assistance, the Salvos Connect centre will stay in place while the new premises is set up.

The new location is not the only change for the Salvos.

Mr Barrott, who has been with the Salvos for almost 13 years, retired on Friday.

He started out as a volunteer and after a year was asked to be manager of the family store.

He was happy to take on the role, wanting to give back after the Salvos changed his life.

"When they found me, I was down and out, I wasn't a very normal person back then and they brought me in and they helped me," Mr Barrott said.

"They actually helped me heaps, and put me back on the road to recovery."

He said it was "very sad" he was retiring as the manager of the store, but he plans to come back as a volunteer two days a week.

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