Posted on: February 3, 2020
Did you know that every time you leave a brand new item on the shelf in favour for a pre-owned one you are helping to own your impact?
LAST UPDATED JULY 2020
There are HUNDREDS of second-hand shops, often operated by charities, scattered across neighbourhoods and small towns all over WA.
Patience and perseverance are the keys to success when you’re shopping for pre-loved items, that’s why we’ve put together a list of our favourite destinations for clothing, bric-a-brac, toys, manchester and furniture.
You can cultivate a style of your own and say goodbye to fast fashion by sourcing outfits from op shops
Our sources tell us you can often strike second-hand 'gold' in the cluster of op shops found along Butler Boulevard. Vinnies, Salvos and Good Sammy all have a presence here.
Take a stroll along Scarborough Beach Road and you’ll find well stocked Vinnies, Salvos and Red Cross stores.
If you’re a fan of vintage clothing and accessories check out William Street for Fi & Co and Retro Vinnies. From there take a leisurely stroll to Milk N Honey, another well stocked op shop located on Gladstone Street.
Angove Street is home to boutique store Second Time Around, a long-time favourite for Perth’s fashion-savvy bargain hunters, and a quick walk to Fitzgerald Street will bring you to the Red Cross store.
Home to WA’s biggest op shop – a Good Sammy the same size as a major supermarket! – as well as Vinnies and Salvos outlets, Wanneroo has earned its place on Perth’s op shop trail.
The award-winning Balcatta Recycling Shop, located alongside the local tip, is always worth a visit – packed full of furniture, sporting goods and other gems.
If you slow down and look closely you might just find a hidden gem.
Start at the Beat Happening store and work your way down High Street. If you still have energy after exploring the nearby Vinnies, Salvos, and Good Sammy’s head towards the Cappuccino strip to find Red Cross and Save the Children outlets, or venture to South Freo where you’ll find more big stores, as well as a number of smaller boutiques featuring pre-loved items.
Hidden within the industrial area you’ll find many of the usual op shop subjects as well as Wisteria Lane, a cute little vintage store known for its ‘shabby chic’ marketplace events. If brand names are your thing a pit stop in Ardross, at boutique op shop Closet Revolution may also be worth your while.
Here you’ll find a number of particularly big stores including Paraquad Industries Op Shop and Book Bazaar, Save the Children, Vinnies, Good Sammy and Salvos stores all within close proximity to Leach Highway. If you’ve still not found what you’re looking for head towards Canning Vale’s Op Shop Mega Barn for even more choice.
Patterson Road, with its Vinnies, Salvos and Cash Converters stores is a good place to start but with plenty of local second-hand options don’t be afraid to move a little further out from the town centre. The Good Sammy’s in Port Kennedy, the Salvos at Charterhouse and Red Cross at Shoalwater all get the tick of approval by members of our WasteSorted Facebook community.
If you’re looking for larger second hand items, such as furniture, why not investigate Treasure Chest Salvage in O’Connor and Tidy Up Tip Shop in Cockburn.
As you shop think about the quality of items you like to see and ensure that matches up to the quality of goods you donate.
A must-include destination on any Perth op shop trail - 199 Abernethy Road is home to large and closely-located Vinnies, Salvos and Good Sammy stores, so park once to shop at all four!
Forget the big Westfield department stores! Word on the street is that the second-hand outlets in Cannington, and in the neighbouring suburbs of Maddington and Thornlie are well worth a visit if you're on the hunt for clothing, bric-a-brac and small appliances.
For well-laid out stores, quality clothing and pre-loved furniture, op-shop goers tell us that East Vic Park is well worth adding to your to-visit list. Notable mentions go to New Day Furnishings, a consignment store full of interesting homewares, as well as the local Save the Children and Vinnies outlets. On route, if vintage homewares are your thing, why not also stop-off at the wonderful In Retrospect too.
There's a patch between Kelmscott and Armadale that, our sources tell us, is a virtually undiscovered mecca for op-shop lovers. Situated along Railway Avenue you'll find a whopping seven different second-hand stores including many of the big name charities along with some smaller initiatives such as Forever Love Charity Shop, 2nd Chance Op Shop and Crossways Community Shop. Better still, tucked around the corner in Gillam Drive you'll find a handful more places filled to the brim with pre-loved treasures.
Getting a big thumbs up from a number of our community members, these Vinnies and Salvos stores are renowned for good finds and the nearby Vintage Emporium is a treasure trove of eclectic fashion and homewares.
If sustainable fashion is your thing Bassendean’s Spotted, is probably calling your name.
A visit to the Drop’n’Shop Reuse Centre at Armadale tip could also yield surprising results if you’re looking for household items.
Op Shops are great for those who enjoy a tactile shopping experience.
A mecca for those who know where to look, we suggest including Earthwise Community, Savlos and Good Sammy stores in your op shop trail and, if you have a penchant for vintage, Lucy in Disguise is also worth a visit.
If high-end fashion in your thing, venture a little further afield to Cottesloe where you’ll find a consignment store packed full of unique finds.
Thift your heart out with Save the Children and Vinnies found only a shop apart on Stirling Highway. There's a treasure trove of bric-a-brac at the back of the Save the Children store, and plenty of retro clothes to be found in both stores!
When it comes to bargain hunting, we're sure you'll find plenty at hidden gem St. Luke's Op Shop.
Most op shops receive a constant stream of good quality items – and the regional outlets are no different
Members of our Facebook and Instagram communities have also told us about some of their favourite second-hand shopping experiences in regional WA.
Go with an open-mind – there are never any guarantees you will find what you are looking for, that an item of clothing will be in your size, or that you won’t be overwhelmed by choice! Stock in second-hand shops is very fluid.
Focus on what you need and what you will actually use – these places are treasure troves, and they are cheap, so try to be disciplined with your shopping so that you don’t over-purchase!
BYO bags and drink bottle – these are essential shopping companions if you are making a day of it!
Take a note of the quality you expect to find – remember this when you clean out your own wardrobes and cupboards and be sure to only donate items that are in a good condition so that charities aren’t left having to deal with your waste.
Share your finds with others – give them the confidence that they too could find hidden gems if they swapped department stores for second-hand outlets.
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