Salvos – North Melbourne

Price	Quality	Size	Vibe	NFP

Given it’s location amongst the ever increasing throng of cafes and restaurants on Errol Street I was expecting this North Melbourne Salvos to be a hive of activity when I visited on Saturday morning.  This was not the case.  It was very quiet, with just a couple of others milling around the store. The stock included clothes, furniture (couches, entertainment cabinets, mattresses), homewares, accessories, children’s wear, toys, VHS, CDs, puzzles and a collection of bizarre frog ornaments.

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Tags | Bags, belts, clothing, furniture, Homewares, Shoes, Ties, toys

Vinnies – Queenscliff

Price	Quality	Size	Vibe	NFP

 

During a recent visit to Queenscliff I popped into the local Vinnies for a spot of Sunday op-shopping.  The stock here is well maintained and good quality with a solid collection of clothing, accessories, homewares, books, vinyl records and bric-a-brac.  Vinnies stores rely on donations, as such this store does not have the luxury of being selective with its stock, however there are definitely some gems to be found here – like the blue and white polka dot silk shirt a snapped up (see photo below).

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Tags | Accessories, Bags, belts, books, clothing, Hats, Homewares, Jewellery, Shoes, Ties

Vinnies, Johnston Street

Price	Quality	Size	Vibe	NFP

 

Located on Johnston St, just a stones throw from the comparatively glamourous vintage stores of Smith Street, this Vinnies op shop is great for the thrifty shoppers amongst us.  The range is diverse in both quality and typology; clothes, hats, shoes, leather-goods, wall hangings, luggage, scarfs, jewellery, books, games, homewares, furniture (including a lovely art deco wardrobe for $130 and 5 seater, reclining lounge suite for $300), VHS, vinyl records,PS2 games, stereos and even golf balls can be found in this large and unassuming op-shop.  Like most not-for-profit agencies, donations are gratefully accepted, however it’s best to drop off items during opening hours as there are no donation bins located on site.

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Tags | Bags, books, Clothes, furniture, games, Hats, Homewares, Jewellery, luggage, records, scarfs, Shoes

Salvos Smith Street Store

Price	Quality	Size	Vibe	NFP

 

The Salvos on Smith Street is a classic op shop, with cheap prices, variable quality of stock and a miscellany of customers ranging from grandmas to hipsters and everything in between.  This humble secondhand haven provides a refreshing change from the mostly upmarket and highly selective vintage stores that litter Smith Street.  It stocks homewares (retro crockery as well as near new Jamie Oliver salad bowls for $8), clothes (men’s and women’s), a limited range of furniture (desks, dressers, couches, mattresses), books, CDs and a small selection of vinyl.

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Tags | books, Clothes, furniture, Hats, Homewares, Jewellery, Musical, records, Shoes, Ties

Lorne Community & Hospital Op Shop

 

Price	Quality	Size	Vibe	NFP

To my delight and surprise I stumbled upon this unpretentious op shop during a recent weekend away in Lorne.  The Lorne Community and Hospital Op Shop sits humbly amongst the cacophony of eateries and over-priced retailers that occupy to Mountjoy Pde,  sufficed to say it was a relief to walk into this vintage haven and be greeted by the friendly shop attendant.  The collection, though relatively small, included games, clothes (men’s and women’s), shoes, books, videos, linen and accessories (bags, belts, jewellery, ties).  In keeping with the traditional op shop vibe the fitout is of the no fuss variety, made up of bits and pieces presumably donated by the generous people of Lorne.

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