Op Shop Adventures - grampianspyreneespcp.org.au · Golden Plains Shire Rokewood Berringa Op Shop...

Op ShopAdventures

Discover a treasure or a bargain on the Op Shop trail

We would like to thank everyone for their tips and tricks for successful op shopping, especially Bianca, Sue, Jane, Andrea and Erin.

Every effort has been made to ensure that this guide is accurate, but it is advisable to call ahead to confirm the hours of opening. Many of these Op Shops and Second Hand shops have Facebook pages or websites as well, so get online, check for updates and find something amazing. If you have any updates to add to this guide, addresses, opening hours or a new op shop discovery in the region, please contact us at [email protected]

Remember to donate as well as shop in our marvellous Op Shops! Please make sure your items are clean, working and not broken. Respect your op shop and give them quality things to sell on.

2 | Op Shop Adventures

Moorabool

Hepburn

CentralGoldfields

Ballarat

Pyrenees

Hindmarsh

WestWimmera Horsham

Yarriambiack

NorthernGrampians

Ararat

Golden Plains

HORSHAM

BALLARAT

GRAMPIANSCENTRAL WEST

A History of Op Shops

It is almost 140 years since the humble opportunity shop, usually referred to as an ‘op shop’ first appeared in Australia. Originally started in 1880 by the Salvation Army, these recycling depots were set up to assist men who needed assistance when they were released from prison.

While collecting, sorting and baling waste paper was the first material to be dealt with by the Salvos, it wasn’t long before sales of clothing and textiles, donated by those who no longer required them, were sold to those less fortunate. Over time many other household items were also included in their offerings.

Today, some op shops provide significant funds for the charities that operate them. While they have often started out small with the best intentions to help people in need or make the world a better place – they have wound up turning a significant profit through embracing social enterprise.

In Australia, there are now many registered charities that operate op shops, including groups like Mission Australia, St Vincent de Paul, Epilepsy Australia, Vision Australia, Australian Red Cross and the RSPCA, all operating within the social enterprise realm.

With fast fashion ensuring that there is high turnover of items in consumer’s wardrobes,

the result is that people with the means to purchase the latest trends will often do so, leaving unwanted items in charity bins around the country.

This means that people can furnish their homes, clothe their families and even provide the basic creature comforts that every Australian should be afforded, at the smallest of price tags, all while supporting a community organisation through the positive power of social enterprise.

Op shops have also thrived with the rise of many sub-cultures within Australian society, including hipsters, punks and hippies, who push against society trends, fashions and norms.

Despite many changes in the way we purchase goods, and with online shopping making it easier to purchase with a ‘click’, the future of op shops is not only secure but is likely to thrive in the years to come. The increasingly disposable nature of society and the desire for people to be ‘on trend’ will keep op shop shelves stocked for many years to come.

Our diverse culture, keen eye for a bargain and need to be ‘individual’ works in favour of this iconic community institution, as shoppers continue to flock to opportunity shops across the country in search of a treasure. The humble Aussie Op Shop is as thriving a social enterprise today, as it was over one hundred years ago.

IntroductionWe love op shops! We all love the thrill of finding that special piece at a bargain price and op shops make shopping fun. Almost every town across our region has an op shop. These op shops not only provide bargains for shoppers but also raise funds for many local and national charities.

Op shops also provide an important outlet for clothing, furniture, books, toys and other household items that are no longer needed. In short, it is a great way to divert lots of useful resources and materials from landfill.

Op shops provide a service to locals and travellers alike. They come in all shapes and sizes – from the tiny local hospital auxiliary shop through to the larger Salvos or Vinnies warehouses. There are those that specialise high fashion and vintage fashions while others focus on providing for the needs of their community.

We hope you enjoy the opportunity to visit the op shops of our region and share with us your favourite op shop finds on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

Happy op shopping!


Moorabool ShireBallan

Steptoes Op Shop 111 Inglis Street, Ph: 5368 2768 Fri-Sat 9.30am-3.30pm

Opportunity on Inglis 159 Inglis Street, Ph: 0438 309 357 Mon-Fri 10am-3pm, Sat 10am-1pm

Thrifty Minx Op Shop and Café 25 Fisken Street, Ph: 0484 501 162 Tues-Fri 10am-3pm, Sat 10am-2pm

Bacchus Marsh

Vinnies 8 Grant Street, Ph: 8199 4205 Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-4pm

Salvos 120a Main Street, Ph: 5367 5208 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-1pm

Bacchus Marsh Hospital Op Shop Gell Street Carpark, Ph: 5367 3008 Mon-Fri 9.30am-4.30pm, Sat 9.30am-12pm

Silver Lining Op Shop Holts Lane, Darley, Ph: 5367 6550 Wed-Fri 10am-3pm, Sat 10am-1pm

The Vintage Loft 99a Main Street, Ph: 0418 570 948 Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat-Sun 10am-3pm

1. Check your choice of garment before you purchase

While there are plenty of wonderful clothing items to be found at an op shop, not all of them have been donated in pristine condition. Small faults can be hard to spot and overlooked by op shop staff, which is why we sometimes find damaged clothes for sale on the shop floor.

Faults in clothing do not need to be a problem, if you can mend it, remove the stain, or refashion the piece into something else. But it can be a waste of money if you cannot do that.

Tip: Check the zippers, seams and look for small holes, tears or stains on the whole garment.

Tip


Golden Plains Shire

Rokewood

Berringa Op Shop 20 Berringa Road Sat 10am-12pm

Meredith

St Joeys Op Shop 28 Lawler Street Email: [email protected] & on Facebook Wed 10am-4pm, Fri 10am-4pm

Bannockburn

St Johns Op Shop 38 High Street, Ph: 5281 2553 Tues-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-1pm 2. Shop midweek

Most people clean out their wardrobes and cupboards on weekends, which means their donations are often delivered on a weekend as well. By the time the material is checked and cleared for sale it will be mid week – which means the best stuff is probably hitting the racks and shelves around Wednesday.

Tip: Not only is the newer stock most likely to hit the floor in the middle of the week, it is often quieter for op shopping and often the time op shops will have sales. Yes, even second-hand stores go on sale!

Tip


Ballarat Alfredton

Vinnies Alfredton 1824 Sturt Street, Ph: 5334 2234 Mon-Sat 9am-5pm

Ballarat

Bargain Browser 10 Eastwood Street, Ph: 5332 2533 Mon-Fri 9am-4.30pm, Sat 9am-1pm

Vinnies Ballarat 60 Bridge Mall, Ph: 5332 6759 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-4pm

Ballarat Red Cross 406 Sturt Street, Ph: 5331 1671 Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 9am-1.30pm

Bridge Mall Salvos 86 Bridge Mall, Ph: 5332 2320 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-5pm

Light Lounge Opportunity Shop (Uniting Care) 105 Dana Street, Ph: 5337 2765 Mon-Fri 10am-4.30pm, Sat 10.30am-2.30pm

Lifeline Lydiard Street 128 Lydiard Street, Ph: 5332 3999 Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-12.30pm

Ballarat Hospice Care Op Shop 33 Little Bridge Street, Ph: 5331 9810 Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-1pm

Ballarat Hospice Care Op Shop 723 Sturt Street, Ph: 5331 3743 Mon-Fri 10am-4pm

Red Cross Op Shop 6 Sturt Street, Ph: 5331 1671 Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 9am-1pm

Salvation Army Thrift Shop 204 Creswick Road, Ph: 5337 0600 Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat 10am-1pm

St Johns Church Hall 607 Lydiard Street Nth, Ph: 5333 4723 Wed-Fri 10am-3pm

St Peters Church 1309 Sturt Street, Ph: 5332 3929 Fri 10am-3.30pm, in Winter months 10am-2.30pm

Hatties Wardrobe Green upstairs at Hattie and the Wolf 218 Skipton Street, Ph: 0429 852 438 Wed-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 10am-3pm

That Little Vintage Shop 13 Main Road, Ph: 0425 731 639 Wed 11am-5pm, Thurs-Fri 11am-5.30pm, Sat 11am-3pm

Wozzles Warehouse Ballarat 11 Grenville Street, Ph: 5331 8361 Mon-Fri 10am-4.30pm, Sat 9am-12pm

3. Know your labels and style

One of the things that you can pick up on pretty quickly at op shops is that there are quality fashion labels. These can be some of the best clothing investments that you will ever make. Designer pieces are usually made with good quality fabric and are often made to last. If you know your style, what suits you and what you feel comfortable in you’ll be able to see at a glance if an item is right for you. However, do not get carried away with the latest fashion style – just because something is in fashion, doesn’t mean it’s stylish or will look good.

Tip: Keep your favourite labels in mind and check out the styling to make sure it suits you.

Tip

Delacombe

Uniting Ballarat Op Shop 899 La Trobe Street, Ph: 5336 1471 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm

Brown Hill

Brown Hill Uniting Church Op Shop behind the Church 286A Humffray Street Nth, Ph: 5332 6751 Thurs-Fri 9.30am-12.30pm

Wendouree

Bargain Browser 1245 Howitt Street, Ph: 5339 1526 Mon-Fri 9am-4.30pm, Sat 10am-2pm

Eureka Chapel (EC) Op Shop 9 College Road,Ph: 4343 1168 Mon-Fri 9am-4pm

Restore: Uniting Care Op Shop 1323 Howitt Street, Ph: 5339 6903 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 10am-4pm

Salvation Army Thrift Shop 1113 Norman Street, Ph: 5339 3173 Mon-Fri 9am-4pm

Salvos Store 225 Howitt Street, Ph: 5338 1629 Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm, Sat 9am-1pm

St Matthews Church Cnr Howitt & Forest Streets, Ph: 5339 1657 Wed-Fri 9.30am-3pm

Vinnies Wendouree 1255 Howitt Street, Ph: 5339 4817 Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm

Wozzles Warehouses Wendouree 1231 Howitt Street, Ph: 5338 2817 Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-12.30pm

Sebastopol

Vinnies 4 Albert Street, Ph: 5335 7466 Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-3pm

Wozzles Warehouse Sebastopol 5/58-60 Albert Street, Ph: 5379 9348 Mon-Fri 10am-4.30pm, Sat 9am-12pm

Salvos Store Cnr Beverin & Gray Streets, Ph: 5336 1698 Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm, Sat 9am-5pm


4. Invest in a sewing machine

If you don’t own a sewing machine, maybe it is the time to get one. The ability to make a minor adjustment on a second-hand clothing purchase will open up a whole new world of op shopping and a whole lot of creativity.

A simple hem modification, length adjustment or taking in a garment is relatively easy to do without training and will mean you no longer have to reject clothing that is not quite your size.

Tip: There is no need to rush out and buy a brand new sewing machine. Check with friends and family to find out if they have a machine that is no longer used but still in working order. Otherwise try market places such as eBay, Gumtree and Facebook for second-hand machines.

Tip


Hepburn Shire

Daylesford

Daylesford Community Op Shop 6 Mink Street, Ph: 5348 4087 Mon-Sat 10am-4pm, Sun 10am-2pm

MS Community Shop 4 Duke Street, Ph: 5348 3988 Mon-Fri 10am-4.30pm, Sat 10am-1pm

Salvos Shop 1&2 22-24 Howe Street, Ph: 5348 2720 Mon-Sat 9am-5pm

Vinnies Daylesford 28 Howe Street, Ph: 5348 3862 Mon 10am-4pm, Tues-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 11am-3pm

Daylesford Tip Shop Ajax Road, Ph: 5348 2306 Mon-Sun 9am-5pm (except Wed)

Trentham

St Mary Magdalen Catholic Church 1 Bridge Street, Ph: 5424 1275 Wed & Sat 10am-3pm

Trentham Tip Shop Cosmo Road, Ph: 5348 2306 Wed & Sat-Sun 9am-5pm

Creswick

Recycle Central Op Shop Town Hall Caretakers Cottage 2 Water Street, Ph: 5345 1374 Fri 11am-4pm, Sat-Sun 11am-3.30pm

Creswick Tip Shop Ring Road, Ph: 5348 2306 Mon, Thurs & Fri 12pm-5pm, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm

5. Dedicate time to op shopping

While we are all time poor, planning your op shop trip means you will be better placed to find that new piece. Rushing through an op shop during your lunch break, or a quick peek in your local charity shop whilst making a quick dash to the Post Office can mean that you will miss the best of what is on offer. You’ll also be in the right frame of mind and have time to rummage. If you have time and there are several op shops in your area, maybe make a day of it with a friend.

Tip: You can use a site like OpShop.Org to find op shops in your area (or anywhere you are visiting). You can check their ratings etc. This way you might find some small, out of the way op shops or hidden gems.

Tip


Central Goldfields ShireMaryborough

Maryborough Thrift Store 82 Alma Street, Ph: 5461 4074 Mon-Fri 9am-4.45pm, Sat 9am-12pm

Scout Op Shop 82 High Street Mon-Fri 10am-4pm Vinnies 54 High Street, Ph: 5460 4871 Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 9am-3pm

6. Don’t just stick to your gender or age

Op shop staff have a lot of stock to sort through and not a lot of time, so clothes can end up in odd places. A thorough treasure hunt should involve searching all sections of a charity shop – children’s wear, men’s, women’s, and all sizes.

Tip: Be prepared to be disappointed sometimes – not every op shop visit will yield a treasure.

Tip

7. Look for quality

Just because you are buying second-hand, doesn’t mean you have to skimp on quality. If it is great quality then you can do something with it; if the fabric is awful, it doesn’t matter how well it fits, it isn’t worth it.

Tip: Do your research, check labels and understand fabric and its care. A bit of work up front will pay dividends in the end.

Tip

Pyrenees Shire

Beaufort

Beaufort Op Shop 17 Havelock Street, Ph: 5349 2376 Mon-Fri 10am-4pm

Beaufort and District Op Shop 31 Neil Street, Ph: 5349 2771 Wed-Sun 9am-5pm


AraratArarat

Save the Children 198-200 Barkly Street, Ph: 5352 1264 Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat 9.30am-12pm

YMCA Opportunity Shop 22-24 Lambert Street, Ph: 5352 7337 Mon-Sat 9.30am-4.30pm

Vinnies 264 Barkly Street, Ph: 5352 5560 Mon-Thurs 10am-4pm, Fri 10am-2pm, Sat 10am-12pm

Salvation Army Thrift Shop & Community Centre Cnr High & Vincent Streets, Ph: 5352 2720 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm

Community Op Shop 266 Barkly Street, Ph: 5352 3879 Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-1pm

Willaura Op Shop 34 Main Street Tues, Thurs & Sat 10am-12pm, Fri 2pm-4pm

8. It takes time to find a bargain

Can’t be bothered flicking through the crammed racks in your local op shop? Then it’s unlikely you’re going to walk away with luxury designer goods for a few dollars. Stamina separates those who leave their local op shop disappointed after a quick peek, to those who can rattle off a list of their best buys quicker than their phone number.

Tip: Build up your stamina – good op shopping is like any sport, you need to be ‘match fit’.

Tip


Northern Grampians Shire

Stawell

The Pickers Mart 62 Longfield Street, Ph: 5358 5075 7 days a week, 10am-5pm

Salvos Op Shop 31-35 Wimmera Street, Ph: 5358 4072 Mon-Fri 9.30am-4.30pm

St Patricks Parish Centre Recycle Store 163 Main Street Tues-Fri 10am-3pm

Stawell Opportunity Shop 165 Main Street, Ph: 5358 5614 Mon-Fri 9am-4pm

St Arnaud

Vinnies 35 Napier Street, Ph: 5495 3100 Mon-Fri 9am-4pm

Evolve Op Shop 118 Sunraysia Highway, Ph: 0407 349 607 Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-1pm

9. Keep going back

Chances are you won’t find that designer label bag or shoes or that vintage chair on your first visit but you might once you get to know which stores carry the best furniture and you keep checking in without the expectation of finding anything.

Tip


Horsham Horsham

Shabby2Chic 2/8 Selkirk Drive Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-1pm

Red Cross 120 Firebrace Street Mon-Tues 9.30am-5pm, Wed 9.30am-4.30pm Thurs-Fri 9.30am-5pm, Sat 9.30am-1pm

Salvos Lynnot Street, Ph: 5382 1681 Mon-Fri 9am-4pm, Sat 9am-12pm

Salvos 81 Firebrace Street, Ph: 5382 5784 Mon-Fri 10am-5pm, Sat 9am-12pm

Horsham PAWS 45 Firebrace Street, Ph: 0447 397 880 Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 10am-1pm

Vinnies 7-9 David Street, Ph: 5382 4003 Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 10am-4pm

WBH Ladies Auxiliary Op Shop 25A Darlot Street, Ph: 5381 2612 Mon-Fri 10am-4pm, Sat 9.30am-12.30pm

10. Look for shoes with slight defects

It is not difficult to get a shoe resoled, and while you’ll end up spending an extra $20 to do so, it’s usually still better than buying a designer shoe at full price. If you know the cost of good quality shoes then that extra bit of maintenance to fix a heel will be worth it.

Tip: Don’t be put off by small defects – especially if they are not hard to fix.

Tip


Yarriambiack Shire Murtoa

Beulah Flutterbys 52 Phillip Street, Ph: 5390 2378 Wed-Thurs 1.30pm-4.30pm, Fri 10am-4pm

Murtoa Op Shop 15 McDonald Street, Ph: 5385 2280 Tues 2pm-4.30pm, Fri 9am-11am & 2pm-4.30pm

Murtoa Tip Tip Road Tues 8am-12pm, Thurs & Sun 1pm-5pm

Hopetoun

Hopetoun Op Shop Toole Street Wed-Fri 1.30pm-5pm

Hopetoun Tip Shop Tip Road Tues 10am-12pm, Thurs 2pm-5pm, Sun 1.30pm-5.30pm

Minyip

Minyip Op Shop Main Road Wed 1.30pm-3.30pm, Fri 1.30pm-4pm, 2nd & 4th of the month Sat 10am-12pm

Rupanyup

Rupanyup Tip Shop Dyer Street Wed 9am-12pm, Sun 1pm-4pm

Warracknabeal

Wheatlands Warehouse Scott Street, Ph: 5394 1231 Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat 9am-12pm, Sun 1pm-4.30pm

Antique and Second Hand Store 140 Scott Street, Ph: 0429 981 154 Mon-Fri 9am-12pm & 1pm-5pm, Sat 9am-12pm

Brian’s Bric a Brac 83 Scott Street, Ph: 5398 1314 7 days a week, 9am-5pm

Warrracknabeal Tip Shop Tip Road Tues, Fri & Sat 8am-12pm, Wed, Thurs & Sun 1pm-5pm

Woodbine Op Shop Scott Street, Ph: 0419 313 450 Mon-Fri 9.30am-12pm & 1.30pm-5pm

WoomelangWhen Opportunity Knocks 28 Gloucester Road, Ph: 0428 850 760 Wed 10am-1pm, Thurs 2pm-5pm, Fri 1pm-4pm, Sat 10am-12pm

11. Think ahead

Grab a bargain when you see it! Great buys won’t hang around for long and every keen op shopper knows the heartbreak of thinking they’ll go back for something only to find it has been snapped up by another eagle-eyed treasure-seeker.

Strike when you can and think ahead to the next season. If you see a pair of beautiful leather boots but it’s the middle of summer, buy them for winter – they won’t be there when winter arrives. The same applies to children’s clothing. Consider buying up to two sizes larger for children and store until they fit.

Tip: Planning ahead helps and make sure you check out an item in good light to spot any marks or stains.

Tip


Hindmarsh Shire

Dimboola

St Peters Lutheran Women’s Guild Bargain Centre 104 Lloyd Street, Ph: 0408 159 560 Tues 10am-11am, Thurs 9am-12pm, 1.30pm-4.30pm, Fri 9am-12pm

Nhill

Lola’s Garage 54 Victoria Street Message via Facebook Mon-Fri 12pm-6pm

Snappy Seconds 36-38 Victoria Street, Ph: 5391 1911 Mon-Fri 10am-4.30pm

12. Check out Church and Hospital run op shops

While the large charity organisations have identified the op shop as a fantastic retail opportunity for them and their very worthy causes, it is often the small scale op shop, tucked away off the main street that has the best bargains. ‘Little’ op shops often have incredible finds. Seek them out, the hospital or church auxiliaries and you might just be amazed at what you find.

Tip: Not all op shops are equal – check them all out and work out which ones suit your style and budget.

Tip

13. Learn the discounts

Some op shops have coloured ticketed systems where certain colours will be on sale at different times or they might have 50% off the first Monday of every month etc. Get to know how your op shops operate.

Tip: Make sure you understand the pricing system in your favourite shop – this will help to guide your op shopping days as well.

Tip

West Wimmera ShireEdenhope

Edenhope Anglican Church Op Shop 60 Wimmera Highway Mon-Fri 10am-4pm

Kaniva

Salvation Army 58 Commercial Street, Ph: 5392 2304 Tues & Thurs 10am-3pm Fri 11am-4pm


Notes

14. Have some fun!

Op shopping is a lot of fun and is most definitely the cheapest form of retail therapy. These days it is also fun to tell people the story behind your purchase – particularly if they compliment you on your outfit.

Tip: Remember to have fun – don’t take it too seriously and never argue with another customer over an item.

Tip

15. Know yourself

Before you enter any store, take a step back and truly evaluate your closet, your household and your capabilities. Will you be the person to get something tailored? Or do have a more bohemian style? Will you actually wear a lime green tank top in the middle of summer?

You definitely do not want to get sucked into buying an item just because it’s cheap – knowing what you want beforehand can help you walk away from those all-too-tempting, but ultimately worthless, purchases.

Tip: Write your own set of rules for op shopping and stick to them!

Tip

An easy way to check which Op Shops are nearby while you are travelling is with the Australian Op Shop App. It is available for download on iTunes for iOS/Apple devices for a small fee. The app uses the GPS on your device to tell you where the nearest shops are, and help you find them.


Brought to you by:

M 0409 093 382E [email protected] recyclingrevolution.com.au

Op Shop Adventures - grampianspyreneespcp.org.au · Golden Plains Shire Rokewood Berringa Op Shop...

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Transcript of Op Shop Adventures - grampianspyreneespcp.org.au · Golden Plains Shire Rokewood Berringa Op Shop...