Sift your way through Perth’s best op shops
With the cost of living on the rise, it’s little wonder more of us are turning to Perth’s op shops to update our wardrobes and refresh our homes.
Buying second-hand is not only kinder to the bank balance than buying retail, it’s far better for the environment as it doesn’t rely on the production of new goods. On top of that, it helps raise money and awareness for worthy causes. So, if you’re looking to lift your thrifting game, or give it a crack for the first time, here are some of Perth’s favourite op shops where you can shop guilt-free:
AYLA (Assisting Your Life to Achieve)
This rainbow-coloured op shop sticks out like a sore thumb in the back streets of a Cockburn industrial estate. It’s a vibrant and welcoming space with a wide variety of preloved gems at great prices. It even has a small café and garden area with an aviary where you can enjoy a cuppa and take in the colourful surroundings. All funds raised in the AYLA op shop go towards helping disadvantaged people with emergency relief, mental health support and education programs. AYLA also provides crisis accommodation for LGBTQI+ people experiencing homelessness.
10 McKinnon Street, Cockburn Central
Salvo’s Stores O’Connor
Having undergone recent facelifts, some Salvo’s stores appear more upmarket than they used to. Salvo’s O’Connor is one of them. One of the largest Salvo’s stores in Perth, it’s a huge but well laid-out space with a massive range of preloved fashion and wares. There’s a retro section and Street Boutique in store where you can find a decent collection of vintage items and fancy labels. But if these aren’t in your budget, there are plenty of affordable gems to be found in the standard-priced racks.
The store, like all Salvos, runs special offers on certain tagged clothing depending on the day you visit, and all profits help fund community projects which support vulnerable Australians. Salvos has another warehouse-sized store in Joondalup which is popular with op shoppers north of the river.
10/378 South Street, O’Connor
Salvo’s Stores Myaree
If you’re one who finds op shop warehouses overwhelming, there’s a delightful, smaller Salvo’s down the road from O’Connor in Myaree. This store has a nice range of designer, retro and high street clothing which is all hung on wooden hangers. This, along with the eye-catching displays, definitely adds to the store’s boutique vibe. It’s a lovely-looking op shop. There’s also a nice range of homewares and bric-a-brac, as well as new giftware, like scented candles and soaps, novelty socks and shopping totes. It’s a great place to tick off your Christmas shopping list or bring an anti-op shopping friend for their first thrifting experience.
1 Hayden Crescent, Myaree
Starick Op Shop
Starick may be on the smaller side, but this op shop makes a big impact. With an excellent range of clothing, homewares, toys and more, proceeds help fund Starick’s support services for victims of family violence. As well as becoming op shop stock, clothing donations are also given to women and children supported by Starick, who sometimes flee abusive homes with nothing but the clothes on their backs.
We can’t think of a more worthy cause to clear out the wardrobe or do a bit of op shopping for. Starick has a number of generous donators who often donate quality pieces with the tags still attached. These are sold at very reasonable prices, so it’s quite easy to refill your wardrobe with shiny new gems as soon as you’ve cleared it out.
110 Kooyong Rd, Rivervale
Good Sammy Factory Outlet
If you love a rummage, then this outlet in the Good Sammy warehouse is the place for you. Here you’ll find cages of women’s, men’s and children’s clothes that you pay for by the kilo – $5 p/kg to be exact. Buying in bulk keeps more clothing out of landfill and allows families and resellers to stock up for even less. There are some real treasures to be found if you give yourself time and can see an item’s potential.
If smaller scale rummaging is more your thing, Good Sammy has another outlet in Gosnells which is also worth checking out. All funds raised through Good Sammy stores and outlets help create jobs and training for Western Australians living with disabilities. In fact, many Good Sammy participants are paid to work in the stores, so op shoppers get to interact with the very people their funds are helping to support.
33-35 Bannister Road, Canning Vale
Vinnies Clearance Outlet
This outlet is a hotspot for bargain-hunters who prefer browsing over rummaging. It looks just like a regular Vinnies store; clean and well-organised with a good rotation of second-hand clothing, homewares, bric-a-brac, books and toys, except there’s a 50% discount on most items. You’ll be amazed by how little an epic haul will cost you. It’s a true hidden gem, tucked away in a Canning Vale industrial area, and like all Vinnies stores, proceeds go towards assisting people experiencing poverty and inequality. Plus, they’re running a special promo this June where if you buy a jacket you go in the running to win a down south getaway for two!
9 Brewer Road, Canning Vale
Saint Barnabas Op Shop
Known as Verna’s Room to locals, this op shop is a hit with bargain hunters not only for its vintage collectibles, quirky bric-a-brac, preloved fashion and books, but also for its famous morning tea. The friendly volunteers who run the op shop are fantastic bakers, and all funds raised in the store and café go towards helping people in need. It’s a proper old-fashioned charity shop with a small-town feel and it’s well worth a trip to The Hills. While you’re up that way, be sure to check out the local Vinnies and CWA op shop too. You won’t be disappointed.
40 Railway Road, Kalamunda
Charles Street Red Cross Shop
Charles Street’s Red Cross Shop has made a big impression since opening a few years ago, becoming known as the op shop for people who don’t like op shops. The store is filled with high street and designer goodies, and many still have their tags. While you’re less likely to get something with just your spare change, you’ll be able to pick up high-quality labels at only a fraction of their retail price. The Red Cross Shop in Mount Hawthorn is another firm favourite among Perth op shoppers.
502 Charles Street, North Perth
Earthwise
Occupying a pink former church and set amongst trees, the charming grounds of the Earthwise community centre are well worth a visit. The centre runs on the mantra “looking after the earth and each other”, and there’s an op shop on site which primarily sells clothes, kitchen items and fittingly, lots of plants. You can get your hands dirty in their permaculture garden (gardening busy bees are held every Friday), or even sign up for your own allotment.
They also host a community lunch every Thursday where you can buy a cheap homemade meal to help people doing it tough. It’s the place where you can really get involved and do your bit for the planet and the community. While you’re in the area, make time to visit the Subiaco Salvos and Good Sammy stores. These too have a lot to offer.
315 Bagot Road, Subiaco
Hope Op Shop
This little op shop raises funds to improve the lives of people who live in the slums of Nakuru, Kenya. It’s a beautifully presented store that’s a pleasure to browse through, and you’ll probably find yourself humming along to the old-time music that’s always playing. It has a vintage boutique feel, but without the bougie price tags, and it stocks a decent range of preloved clothing, accessories, and old-fashioned trinkets. There’s also a Salvos conveniently located just across the road, and a Vinnies and Save The Children op shop a short drive away in East Vic Park.
403 Albany Highway, Victoria Park
Good Sammy Fremantle
Good Sammy launched its flagship Freo store last year, and it’s a welcome (and very yellow) addition to the area. It’s a large, fresh space with an accessible open floor plan, roomy change rooms, cool displays and an impressive range of affordable stock, including size-sorted clothing and furniture. As well as being an op shop, it’s also quite the community hub, with events and workshops often held-in store to promote the goods and services of local residents and people with disabilities. The store’s central location and proximity to Salvos, Vinnies and the iconic Fremantle Markets and Cappuccino Strip makes it a popular choice for Perth op shoppers.
13-19 William Street, Fremantle
Solaris Cancer Care Op Shop
You can find this op shop in the Cottesloe Cancer Wellness Centre, an impressive heritage building which used to be an orphanage. The store gets plenty of quality donations, including heaps of designer fashion and accessories, and everything is priced fairly to keep op shoppers coming back. All proceeds from the op shop help provide free support services for cancer sufferers and their families, and most of the volunteers have used the services themselves. They love to have a chat and they’re known to put the kettle on for shoppers.
80 Railway Street, Cottesloe
Paraquad Industries Op Shop
Paraquad, known for its unique treasures and unbeatable prices, is a chain of op shops Perth thrifters find themselves returning to time and time again. The Stirling store has a good mix of both clothing and furniture, plus a huge selection of books, music and movies. It’s a firm favourite for vintage lovers, collectors, pickers and bookworms and you’ll be pleasantly surprised by what you come away with. We also rate their Willetton and Jandakot locations and their Shenton Park store, which has a café and huge book bazaar on site. All proceeds help support elderly individuals and people with disabilities in the WA
community.
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3/39 Erindale Rd, Stirling
Good Sammy Wanneroo
You can’t call yourself a Perth op shopper without visiting Good Sammy Wanneroo. As WA’s largest op shop, it’s more like a second-hand department store, jam packed with every preloved item you could imagine, from clothing to furniture and everything in between. Despite its size, Good Sammy Wanneroo is always clean, tidy and well-presented thanks to its dedicated team of workers and volunteers who take great pride in making the store look its best. It’s Perth’s one-stop op-shop where you and the family can easily kill a few hours.
The Balcatta, Belmont, Cannington, Kenwick, Kelmscott, Southern River, Willetton and Butler strips
If you’re a first-time visitor to one of these famous op shop strips, you’ll think you’ve died and gone to op shop heaven. Here on the strip, you’ll find a cluster of both independent and big-name stores, including Good Sammy, Vinnies, Salvos, Paraquad Industries, Anglicare and Save the Children, and you can visit one after the next without having to move your car. It’s wonderfully convenient! The Kenwick and Southern River strips are lesser known than the others, but this makes them even bigger goldmines. Kelmscott, in particular, has recently become a secret mecca for thrifters for its eclectic mix of op shops all within close proximity to each other. You’re bound to get your thrifting fix in one big hit when you visit any of these op shop strips.
Erindale Road, Balcatta
Abernethy Road, Belmont
Albany Highway, Cannington
Albany Highway, Kenwick
Railway Avenue, Kelmscott
Ranford Road, Southern River
High Road, Willetton
Butler Boulevard, Butler
NOTABLE MENTIONS
North of the river
- Good Sammy Mt Lawley
- Salvos Greenwood
- Vinnies Mt Hawthorn
- Good Sammy Ellenbrook
- Vinnies Osborne Park
- Good Sammy Malaga
South of the river
- St Pat’s Rack, Fremantle
- Good Sammy South Lake
- Red Cross Shop, Bentley
- Salvos South Fremantle
- Good Sammy Kwinana
Article by Kate Taylor AKA @the.thrifty.thirtysomething