Once You Op, You Can’t Stop!

It doesn’t matter what the question is; Op shopping is the answer!  It’s the thrill of the hunt, the pure excitement of finding a like-new Mister Zimi dress for just $20 or a special edition Jumbuck Driza-Bone vest for my husband valued at $429, for only $50!   

Needing day care clothes? Op shop.

Need to frock up for the Welcome Ball? Op shop.

Kids wanting more books? Op shop.

And luckily for us, there’s plenty of stores to choose from! Here’s a few to check out:

KATHERINE

Red Cross is great for new clothes and kids clothes, Vinnies is great for children’s books! Saturday mornings at St Paul’s always includes some great bargains!

DARWIN

My Top 3 Picks for high-end brand name clothing at bargain prices are:

1. Salvos, Nightcliff – there is always something golden there from kids dress ups to shoes, and a beautiful range of trinkets. Great for sparkly party clothes or theme dress ups.

2. Red Cross, Grey – well known clothing brands and a nice range of kids toys and clothes, Aboriginal artworks, and men’s clothing like the Jumbuck Driza-Bone vest – what a find!

3. Red Cross, Jape Homemaker Village – great for business outfits, fantastic for women’s clothing and they also have bargain boxes with school uniforms!

Other great shops!

• Salvos in Casuarina, Winnellie & Palmerston – Nice stores with a good range of clothes.

• Vinnies in Coolalinga has a big store and huge range of items. They also have stores in Darwin City, Stuart Park, Fannie Bay, Casuarina, and Palmerston that are smaller but have some hidden gems.

• Red Cross in Gateway – is a small store but always full of gold.

• Nightcliff Uniting Church – I love to go here and have a look around and then go to Frillies next door and have a coffee & the most delicious scones!

• Darwin Memorial Uniting Church – once a month they have clothing sales for $1

• HATS NT – super tiny but really lovely trinkets. Once a month they bring in Save the Paws NT so you can meet the puppies!

• Humpty Doo, Living Waters – good range of clothes, great prices! Love the drive out there!

• And if you really want to go treasure hunting, go check out Reviva Reuse Shop (the “tip shop”) in Karama. They’ve got it all; bric-a-brac, toys, books, kitchenware, outdoor furniture, camping gear, BBQs, tools, electronics, sports equipment & a lot more!

There’s something so satisfying about shopping second-hand - we can shop easy knowing we’re not only helping our bank accounts, but we’re also doing our part by supporting those in need through local charities, while keeping over a million tonnes of clothing out of landfill every year! 

May the op shopping gods be good to you!

by Candice Murchie Committee Member