Young mum, Renee Chagoury, launches thrift store at Kawana, Sunshine Coast

A mum has created a shopping phenomenon with racks for hire, put $40k back in the pockets of Sunshine Coast residents and has lines of shoppers hoping to bag second-hand bargains.

Renee Chagoury. Picture - contributed.

A mum passionate about sustainability who hires out her shops’ racks for others to sell their second-hand clothes has opened her second store on the Sunshine Coast and has her sight set on Brisbane for a third store.

Renee Chagoury, 35, of Marcus Beach, opened her first thrift store in Noosa more than a year ago. This week she opened her second at Kawana.

Thrifter provides a unique thrifting experience for shoppers.

Hundreds lined up in the southern Sunshine Coast suburb hoping for a second-hand designer bargain and the store sold out on its first day of trade on April 1.

Thrifter was created with a focus on providing a space where the community can make money from their preloved items.

The stores provide racks for hire, sells the clothes and then gives 100 per cent of the sales back to the person selling the items.

SEQ mother's thrift store sells out first day. Picture – contributed.

“It was out of control. The line wrapped down and around the building,” Ms Chagoury said.

“It sold out and we’ve already made nearly $40k for the local community.

“The energy was electrifying it was so cool. Like a big thrifting party. People yelling out and asking for sizes it was just a lot of fun.

“My inner child was having a lot of fun and loving it.”

Born and raised on the Sunshine Coast, Ms Chagoury previously worked as diverse educator at Peregian Springs State School, and has also launched a run club for women, a female in business networking event program, and had a local photography studio.

Renee Chagoury with her daughter Luca. Picture – contributed.

She’s also a busy mum to Vallie, in prep, and Luca, in year 3.

“It started with me growing up op shopping. Sustainability was always a core value,” she said.

“My parents have lived here since the 60s and had a fashion business so I learned about the importance of sustainable and circular fashion from them.

“I started with selling clothes on Instagram, pop up markets, and then a permanent market space.”

SEQ mother's thrift store sells out first day. Picture – contributed.

Ms Chagoury said she was inspired during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Where the Noosa warehouse is – is where I grew up – they had a surf label there

“After the pandemic we had a spike of people booking markets trying to make money on the side. With the increase of cost of living it’s really good for the community to put money back into their pockets,” she said.

Renee Chagoury. Picture – contributed.

“The landfill here on the Sunshine Coast is wild too. So much stuff ends up at our local tips and in the landfill that could be recycled and resold.

“But also nearly every op shop on the sunshine coast has signs up saying they’re full and can’t take any more donations.”

The Noosa Thrifter warehouse was closed Mondays, open 9am to 12 noon Tuesday to Sunday, and open for late night shopping 4pm to 7pm on Thursdays.

SEQ mother's thrift store sells out first day. Picture – contributed.

The Kawana Thrifter store is also closed Mondays, and open Tuesday to Sunday, 9am to 2pm.

“Next step is to build Kawana up and then to hopefully open up another in Brisbane,” Ms Chagoury said.

“It’s something I’m really passionate about and I think it’s making a huge difference.

“We have heaps of teens coming to shop there too. I have 13 year olds telling me they refuse to buy new because it’s bad for the environment.

“I’m finding teens and kids are more educated now and care about the environment. Especially here on the beautiful Sunshine Coast.”

Prices vary according to sellers. Racks are available to hire here.