Melbourne op shops: Hunter Gatherer, Salvos, Save the Children reopen
It’s been a long, frugal lockdown, but as you head out for some well-earned retail therapy, don’t forget about your local op shop. Here’s which ones are open – and why you should drop by for your next outfit.
Melbourne City
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Retail stores have opened their doors again to the public but charity groups say Melburnians should look to their local oppy for some retail therapy.
About 16,200 retail stores, 5800 cafes and restaurants and 1000 beauty salons and 800 pubs reopened today, with hoards of eager buyers heading to Chadstone Shopping Centre.
Shoppers queued outside high-end retailers including Louis Vuitton, where staff temperature checked people before they were let inside.
CBD and Fitzroy thrift shop Hunter Gather, run by the Brotherhood of St Laurence, welcomed in locals today but the head of social enterprises Mark Lane said charities needed all the help they can get.
“Funds contributed to charities enable them to provide key services to the community through program delivery,” he said.
“For many charity organisations, op shops provide a significant portion of their overall revenue, and being closed down for so long during the COVID-19 lockdown has impacted these organisations.”
Throughout the coronavirus pandemic charity and not-for-profit groups have seen a rise in Australians seeking help and support.
The Ask Izzy website which connects people with local support services saw a surge in March and during Victoria’s stage four lockdown.
Data gathered by Ask Izzy showed in the first week Melbourne went into stage four restrictions there an increase of 42 per cent seeking food aid and 25 per cent for money help.
The Salvation Army have celebrated 140 years of helping Australias last month and today reopened 78 of their Melbourne stores.
Salvos stores chief executive Matt Davis said the organisation need local help now more than ever.
“We would like to encourage anyone who can spare a couple of hours each week to give us a hand by volunteering,” he said.
“We’re in need now more than ever, for some additional support to assist our stores to get back on their feet – from sorting donations through to servicing customers.
“We’re delighted to be able to welcome Melburnians back into our stores again – we’ve really missed our customers.”
CHARITABLE THRIFT STORES IN MELBOURNE
HUNTER GATHERER
This uber-cool Melbourne thrift favourite is filled with vintage wears, blazers and boasting ethical brands in store.
The Fitzroy store on Brunswick St is open for business and CBD, Geelong West and Wantirna South will be open in the next few weeks.
SALVOS
The majority of their stores will open for shoppers today and all stores across the state are expected to resume trading in the coming weeks.
Shops open now: Abbotsford, Beaconsfield, Brunswick, Bundoora, Camberwell, Cheltenham, Cranbourne, Croydon, Dandenong, St Kilda, Doncaster, Dromana, Epping, Fairfield, Fawkner, Ferntree Gully, Sunbury, Frankston, Glenroy, Hampton, Rowville, Healesville, Tecoma, Kew, Keysborough, Kilsyth, Knox, Melton, Mitcham, Mornington, Mornington Central, Mt. Waverley, Mulgrave, Niddrie, Noble Park, Oakleigh, Pakenham, Watsonia, Preston, Rosebud, Hastings, Somerville, Richmond, Sunshine, Footscray, Williamstown, Pakenham Village, Taylors Lakes, Hoppers Crossing and Deer Park.
STOREHOUSE THRIFT
The retail extension of Teen Challenge International Victoria, Storehouse Thrift gives 100 per cent of its profits to addictions-based rehab in Victoria.
Stores across the state will reopen on November 4 in Windsor, Northcote, Richmond, Bendigo and Kyabram.
VINNIES
Local Vinnies op shops have begun a staggered reopening this week with the predominantly volunteer-run shops open from 10am to 4pm and all regional stores are operating as normal.
Use the postcode search here to find out what’s open near you.
SAVE THE CHILDREN
Stores across the state operate with the help of dedicated volunteers with funds reaching the world’s most vulnerable children.
Save the Children national retail marketing manager Laura Prochowski said many op shops have tried to pivot to online while Melbourne stores were closed.
“The coronavirus lockdown has been a huge challenge for everyone in our city and we really had to rethink the way we operated our op shops, which not only provide a great public service but are an important source of funds for our work in Australia and overseas,” she said.
“We made the call to further develop our online bookstore, which has proven popular with our wonderful customers and long-time supporters.”
All Melbourne stores will be open by the end of the week with reduced hours of 11am to 4pm.
Brunswick, Northcote, Windsor and Dandenong are open and Aarat, Frankston and Malvern will resume trade in the coming weeks.
Most charity op shops are calling on donations to refill shelves but it is advised you call ahead first to check what they need and where to drop off your donations.
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Contact Grace at grace.mckinnon@news.com.au