Image: Bloomhill Cancer Care FB pg
Having grown up in South Africa, we weren't really exposed to the concept of Op Shops. We always had someone to whom we could pass on our 'old' clothing or furniture, whether it was a domestic, working in the home, who had children to clothe, or the gardener, who always loved the idea of having 'new' clothing for his children back home in Zimbabwe or Malawi. So, when arriving in Australia, I was in awe at the number of Op Shops available in every suburb.
I must be honest and say upfront that initially I was somewhat hesitant to shop at an Op Shop, but then had friends who bought the most beautiful designer jackets and outfits…
'you sometimes need to scratch around', I was told. My trips to an Op Shop were usually designed to fill spare time when waiting for an appointment elsewhere. Until my mother visited, that is. I was keen to show her the wondrous concept of Op Shops and off we went to one in Sherwood, a Brisbane suburb. It was a couple of weeks before Christmas and to my delight, my browsing paid off!
Part of my prized Christmas collection from an Op Shop - Images: Elaine de Wet
I found a complete Christmas dinner service, dinner plates, side plates and even dessert plates in pristine condition. On tallying the prices, I discovered it would only be in the region of about $56 - yep, that's right for a
whole dinner service. On approaching the teller, she calculated and told me $25 all up; I said
'no, no, that's not right, you need to recalculate.' To cut a long story short, the Op Shop had decided that should someone buy the whole dinner service that they would discount the price by half.
Image: Beautiful You Cancer Charity Op Shops FB pg
And, this is how my love affair started with Op Shops. I have subsequently discovered that Op Shops are not
JUST shops, they are so much more. Op Shops are generally run by dedicated teams of volunteers, who are passionate about their work and show creativity and flair when displaying the pre-loved items for sale. These retail outlets are mostly all run with very heart-warming goals in sight, whether it be for cancer, domestic violence or animals - the perfect reason to shop at an Op Shop.
On the Sunshine Coast we have a string of Op Shops from Bokarina to Tewantin and everywhere in between. This is my quick guide to assisting you with some fabulous shopping.
BEAUTIFUL YOU CANCER CHARITY OP SHOPS
www.beautifulyouprogram.org.au
1/7 Norval Ct, Maroochydore, QLD, 4558
07) 5443-4646
404 Nicklin Way, Bokarina QLD, 4575
0431 984 646
Open Hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm and Saturdays 10.00am to 2.00pm
Circle of rememberance in the cafe at Norval Court - Image: Beautiful You Cancer Charity Op Shop FB pg.jpg
are a Buderim-based Australian Cancer charity, founded from love and compassion to help women with cancer.
Beautiful You's vision is that their Op Shops should be more than a pre-loved op shop. They are points of contact for women with cancer or newly diagnosed with cancer, to share their stories and be welcomed to a haven of information and support. Beautiful You host monthly get-togethers in a tranquil setting in Buderim with activities donated by either companies or individuals: candle-making, photographic sessions, painting classes, seminars and jewellery making.
SANCTUARY OP SHOP MOOLOOLABA
Shop 6, Corner Walan and Smith Streets, Mooloolaba, QLD, 4557
Open Hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.00pm and Sundays 10.00am to 3.00pm
Image: Sanctuary Op Shop FB pg
is a charity business run by a team of caring, compassionate volunteers, wanting to make a difference. All proceeds from a Sunday to a Friday are donated directly to Sunshine Sanctuary, a local domestic and family violence crisis refuge. This support assists victims of domestic and/or family violence. To thank the community Sunday's takings are donated to local charity groups -
January - SunnyKids
February - Lily House
March - STEMM at Burnside High
April - The Shack Nambour
Donations are greatly appreciated and can be delivered directly to the store in Mooloolaba or Sanctuary Op Shop are happy to arrange pickup.
RETOURNEZ-VOUS
www.retournez-vous.com.au
Shop 3/4 23 Brisbane Road, Mooloolaba, QLD, 4557
(07) 5444-7794
Open Hours: Monday to Saturday 9.00am to 5.00pm and Sunday 10.00am to 4.00pm
Image: Retournez-Vous FB pg
is a boutique in Mooloolaba offering an enormous selection of chic, glamorous and interesting clothing, shoes and accessories.
'Retournez-Vous is not a second-hand clothing store nor a new fashion supplier, rather a fusion of both the old and the new.'
This boutique is shopping heaven for shoe addicts or anyone looking for the perfect outfit for the races, evening wear, cocktail parties, theme parties, jewellery, handbags - and all at affordable prices.
BLOOMHILL CANCER CARE
www.bloomhill.com.au
Image: Bloomhill Cancer Care FB pg
41 Main Street, Buderim, QLD, 4556
(07) 5445-2625
Open Hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm and Saturdays 9.00 to 12.30pm
Brightwater Op Shop
Shop 8C Marketplace, Attenuata Street, Brightwater, QLD, 4575
(07) 5437-7333
Open Hours: Monday to Thursday 9.00am to 4.30pm; Fridays 9.00am to 4.00pm and Saturdays 9.00am to 12.30pm
Caloundra Op Shop
87A Bulcock Street, Caloundra, QLD, 4551
(07) 5491-1911
Open Hours: Monday to Fridays 9.00am to 4.30pm and Saturdays 9.00am to 12.30pm
Cooroy Op Shop
21 Maple Street, Cooroy, QLD, 4563
(07) 5370-2991
Open Hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm and Saturdays 9.00am to 12.30pm
Kunda Park Distribution Centre and Op Shop
22 Hi Tech Drive, Kunda Park, QLD, 4556
(07) 5445-6858
Open Hours: Monday to Friday 7.30am to 3.30pm and Saturdays 9.00am to 12.00pm
Image: Beautiful You Cancer Charity Op Shops FB pg
17 Maple Street, Maleny, QLD, 4552
(07) 5499-9516
Open Hours: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.00pm and Saturdays 10.00am to 2.00pm
Maroochydore Op Shop
25 First Avenue, Maroochydore, QLD, 4558
(07) 5475-4477
Open Hours: Monday to Fridays 9.00am to 4.30pm and Saturdays 9.00am to 12.30pm
Mooloolaba Op Shop
105 Brisbane Road, Mooloolaba, QLD, 4557
(07) 5452-5677
Open Hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm and Saturdays 9.00am to 12.30pm
Nambour Op Shop
56 Hospital Road, Nambour, QLD, 4560
(07) 5476-1779
Open Hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 4.30pm
Tewantin Op Shop
6/97 Poinciana Avenue, Tewantin, QLD,
(07) 5474-4825
Open Hours: Monday to Friday 9.30am to 4.00pm and Saturdays 9.00am to 12.30pm
Bloomhill Op Shops generate more than eighty percent of the funds required to care for people with cancer and their families on the Sunshine Coast.
Bloomhill Cancer Care are very dependent on the generosity of the public to keep their ten Op Shops well stocked with goods. You can find high quality products, including furniture, clothing and homewares, all at very affordable prices. Did you know that Bloomhill Op Shops also have Gift Certificates - a great way to support recycling while purchasing great gifts.
Donations can be left at any of the Bloomhill Op Shop locations. A free pick-up service for saleable donations of larger items can be organised at 58 Ballinger Road, Buderim - call (07) 5445-6858 to arrange a collection.
DOWN MEMORY LANE
39 Main Street, Buderim, QLD, 4556
(07) 5445-1850
Open Hours: Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm and Saturday 9.00am to 1.00pm
Image: Down Memory Lane FB pg
specialises in vintage and second-hand collectables with the aim to raise funds to support all animal rescue groups, both native and domestic. They also have a Sweet Hearts Program whereby they link senior homeless animals with senior people in the Buderim area, helping and supporting them in caring for their 'new' pet.
SEEK & FIND OP SHOP
Level 1, Centenary Square, 52 - 64 Currie Street, Nambour, QLD, 4560
(07) 5441-6060
Open: Monday to Friday 10.00am to 4.00pm
www.seekandfind.org.au
Image: Seek and Find FB pg
launched the
Seek and Find Op Shop in Nambour in March 2015. Flametree Baptist Church's belief is that having an op shop in the community of Nambour is a step in getting behind some of the goals and partnering and interacting in the community. The profits from Seek and Find go straight back into the Nambour community to serve some of the projects that are building a positive future for Nambour. It is much more than an op shop with a warm inviting mix of boutique, vintage and rustic decor - quality at affordable prices.
I'm sure I might have omitted some Op Shops on the Sunshine Coast (not deliberately, you understand) and if this is the case, please add your favourites in the comment section.
Tell me...where is YOUR favourite Op Shop on the Sunshine Coast?
