South Hobart Tip Shop packed with customers on reopening day

A bemused customer said it was “like the opening of Harrods” with a huge line of people waiting for the ribbon to be cut and the doors to swing open after weeks closed. WATCH THE VIDEO

‘Ease up folks’, was the cry from South Hobart Tip Shop employees, as the popular shop was inundated by customers on its reopening day.

A bemused customer said it was “like the opening of Harrods” with a huge line of people waiting for the ribbon to be cut and the doors to swing open.

Posted by South Hobart Tip Shop on Monday, 8 June 2020

The popular salvage store at McRobies Gully has been closed since March due to coronavirus but reopened this morning.

Among offerings was a huge haul of modern and vintage homewares, clothing, books, craft supplies and electrical appliances.

Posting on social media just after 10am when the doors first opened, the tip shop said they were full of customers.

“Please postpone your visit until later this afternoon,” they pleaded.

The tip shop in South Hobart opened its doors for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Picture: Zak Simmonds

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The business will operate with a string of new rules, including 1.5m distancing markers and a maximum of 75 people in the store at any one time.

Adventure tourism student Ella Ballhausen who recently moved down from Bondi said she was excited to finally visit the shop her friends had raved about.

The shopper said she scored two colourful foldaway deck chairs and an old compass.

“There’s so much you could transform or make into something really specific at home, it’s such a fantastic space,” she said.

Ella Ballhausen of Sandy Bay was at tip shop in South Hobart as it opened its doors for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“I didn’t come up with a car so I’ll get whatever I can carry.”

Shop co-ordinator Molly Kendall said she saw “crazy” queues of more than 50 people before the store opened.

“We’ve only experienced that once before,” she said.

She said the collectables, furniture and bric-a-brac were popular among returning regulars and sharehouse shoppers.

“It’ll definitely be cheap times for tip shops at the moment,” Ms Kendall said.