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Everyone loves a good op shop. But what makes the great ones stand out?
In some suburbs, it feels like a new op shop pops up every other week.
Gone are the days when one op shop was the only one on the block. Shopping strips are increasingly filled with second-hand stores, sitting alongside the usual hospitality and retail chains.
Between the joys of finding hidden treasure, the reality of tighter household budgets, and the growing focus on ethical consumption, more people than ever are turning to op shops.
But what actually goes into building a great op shop? It’s about a lot more than putting up a few racks and filling them with clothes.
At Sacred Heart Mission, there are three key ingredients.
LOCATION
There really is a recipe for finding the right location.
Does the community need and want another op shop? Is there enough foot traffic? What about car parking, window frontage and accessibility?
A great location needs to be easy to visit, easy to donate to and, importantly, welcoming. We look for spaces with good bones and the potential to become more than just a shop – somewhere a community can connect and grow.
SIZE
A good op shop should feel like somewhere you could happily spend hours exploring.
Yes, smaller op shops have their charm. They can feel like little treasure-filled nooks, with carefully curated collections and clever layouts.
But when looking at a new space, we consider what the community needs. Are we creating a smaller, curated shopping experience, or do we have the opportunity to build a larger store with room for more stock, more departments and more discoveries?
It’s all about making the most of the space.
STYLE
You know when you walk into Kmart that you’ll find the kids’ section in roughly the same place every time. But an op shop is no ordinary retail store.
We believe every store should reflect the heart of its suburb. Its history, its people, its personality and even the in-store team who bring it to life.
From wall colours and decorations to furniture, fixtures and fittings, every detail is considered. We want each store to have its own identity and feel like it belongs exactly where it is.
ENTER THE SCREW CREW
So, how do we bring all these elements together when building a new Sacred Heart Mission op shop?
Enter the Screw Crew.
Named after the tools they’re rarely seen without, the Screw Crew is a team of experienced op shop staff from across our stores, collectively bringing more than 50 years of experience to the table.
They’re the builders, creators, decorators and master planners behind our new stores and refurbishments.
And it’s certainly not as simple as setting up some racks and opening the doors!
The team carefully considers how customers will explore the store, how donations will come in, how stock will flow and how the overall layout will work. Decorations and furniture are sourced from across our Victorian stores, stock is put aside, ideas are shared and plans are mapped out.
There’s plenty of brainstorming, meetings, local history and consideration before the tools even come out.
Then comes the big build. Working hard and fast, the Screw Crew transforms an empty space into a fully functioning op shop in just five days.
It’s a huge team effort, and one that makes sure every new store has its own personality.
Because no two Sacred Heart Mission op shops look or feel the same. And that’s exactly how we like it.
A LITTLE LOCAL LOVE: FAIRFIELD
Our newest op shop in Fairfield is a perfect example of what happens when a store embraces its surroundings.
Located at 364 Heidelberg Road, the store pays homage to the building’s former life as a bike repair shop, which operated there for 30 years.
Vintage crash helmets and bicycles adorned with neon lights decorate the walls, while the original giant bicycle velodrome track has been retained, giving customers a fun pathway to follow as they explore the store.
Industrial crates in the windows nod to Fairfield’s industrial history, while boat oars and sailing knots tucked throughout the store pay tribute to the area’s waterways and the much-loved Fairfield Boathouse.
It’s a little bit of local history, a little bit of creativity and a whole lot of op shopping.
MORE THAN JUST A SHOP
While every store has its own look and feel, there are some things we strive to achieve in every new Sacred Heart Mission op shop.
We want everyone to feel welcome. That means considering pram-friendly layouts, dog-friendly spaces and disability access wherever possible.
Our stores should be safe and inclusive spaces for everyone. We consider gender-neutral sections and layouts that allow people from all walks of life to explore comfortably.
An op shop should be part of its neighbourhood. We want to build connections with local residents and businesses, support community initiatives and create places where people feel they belong.
At the heart of everything we do is supporting people experiencing homelessness and disadvantage. Sometimes that support goes beyond our services. It might mean providing someone with a change of clothes, free books or hygiene products, or helping them connect with the support they need.
There is no cut-and-paste formula for building a great op shop. Each store thrives because it connects with its community, celebrates its surroundings and creates a place people want to visit.
And ultimately, it’s the community that makes a great op shop.
So next time you step inside a Sacred Heart Mission store, especially one of our newer spaces, take a moment to look around. Notice the little details, the local touches and the personality that makes that store unique.
Because there’s a whole lot of thought, creativity and teamwork behind those racks.
And we think you’ll love discovering it.
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