Boroondara's op shops are a trove of bargains for those with an eye for quality or a taste for quirky. We're encouraging you to get to know them on our Op Shop Trail.
Alongside familiar big names like the Salvos and Vinnies, smaller opportunity shops serve our communities in unique ways. They’re also bringing the concept of op shops to a new generation.
At the Ashy in Ashburton you’ll find homewares, knick-knacks and carefully ordered racks of good-quality clothes. Staff have a policy of stocking only what they would wear themselves or give to a friend. You might pick up a Trent Nathan suit like the one pictured above, or a well-cut ’70s leather jacket made in Australia.
The Ashy is immersed in its local community. It opened in 1962 as the Golden Opportunity Shop and proceeds go towards aged care services at nearby Samarinda. It’s staffed by volunteers who value that sense of community and the chance to give back. Some have worked there more than 12 years.
Ann and Annelies co-manage the shop and insist ‘everything has a story’. If staff know an item’s history or unique features they’ll highlight it on the sales tag – whether it’s an ’80s designer blouse or bric a brac from the 1920s.
‘Things have meaning,’ Annelies says. ‘Local people bring things in from their relatives and want their treasured possessions to be looked after and respected and valued. We look after them and use them as best we can.’
At Yours Now Mine in Balwyn North, everything from cushions to candelabras, doilies to debutante dresses pass through the doors. It’s another decades-old example of the circular economy that takes place across Boroondara’s 22 op shops.
Manager Betty is proud of her shop’s role in saving their stock from being thrown out. ‘All the goods we’ve sold over 25 years... would’ve been dumped,’ she points out.
Customers range from textiles students seeking cheap and unique fabrics they can repurpose, to Saturday-morning panic buyers looking for a fancy-dress outfit for the night ahead.
The shop is staffed by volunteers from as far away as Eltham, and proceeds support San Carlo Homes for the Aged.
A second life cuts waste...
There’s more to op shopping than picking up a bargain. Giving a pre-loved item a new life reduces how much waste goes to landfill.
Australians buy on average almost 15 kg or 56 items of clothing every year and most of it ends up in landfill. We have now overtaken the United States as the world’s biggest consumer of clothes, shoes and bags per capita, according to research from the Australia Institute.
...and raises money for charity
Your op-shop buys help fund a variety of causes. Local non-profit op shops support everything from animal welfare to children with special needs, fair trade and people living with multiple sclerosis.
Take the tour
In November we’re inviting you to take your own self-guided tour around our local op shops. It’s a unique way to find hidden gems while supporting a sustainable future.
To join the fun, pick up a competition card at any of our 22 op shops from 1 November. Visit at least 5 shops, collect stamps at each, and you could win a $50 op shop voucher.
Find out more on our Op Shop Trail page.
Get the most from your op shopping
Successful op shopping is part strategy, part lucky dip. Maximise your time and money by trying these tips from local op shop managers.
Enter each shop with an open mind. Op shop offerings are as unique as the people in the neighbourhood. You never know what you’ll find. Come in for a winter coat, leave with a yoga mat.
If you like it, buy it. Stock moves fast in this business so don’t miss out. If you have buyer’s regret you can do a good deed by re-donating.
Shop often. With fresh donations coming in daily you’re more likely to find a newly arrived treasure.
Always try clothing on. With items from different brands, countries and eras you can’t always trust the size on the label.
Fit out your kitchen. You can set up a new flat or share house with good-quality crockery, cutlery and saucepans. Throw in a silver teapot to glam up your afternoon tea.
Ins and outs. For every item you bring home from an op shop, take another piece out and re-donate it so you’re not accumulating stuff.
Be a good donor. Only donate items that are clean and in good condition. Ask yourself, would I offer it to a friend?