Thrift store finds or op shopping as we call it in New Zealand, can be a great source of items for all sorts of projects. On a recent trip to Auckland City, I was on a mission to find items to up-cycle for my studio. Consequently I visited 9 op shops in the Glen Innes and Panmure area.
Thrift stores or Op shops are a haven for rejected office products so I was fortunate to find a few things for the office as well as some other bits to up-cycle. My thrift store finds included a metal ruler, file folders and tabs for filing cabinets, and other things.
Panmure
- Dove Hospice Panmure – a large shop, nicely set out and with great lighting. The store has lots of variety from clothes, books, furniture and bric a brac
- Salvation Army Family Store – Practically next door to the Dove shop with a little bit of everything
- Red Cross Shop – another large store with a variety of goods, mainly clothing and furniture
Glen Innes
- Habitat for Humanity (located between Panmre and Glen Innes ) – A very large store with lots of everything including some vintage items. Nicely set out with a good flow.
- Auckland city Mission Glen Innes Op shop – Quite a small store with a little of everything
- The Salvation Army Family Store – Another large store with a good variety. Lots of furniture and bric a brac
- SPCA Op Shop – A smaller store but still manages to present itself nicely with a good variety of clothing, kids toys etc
- Dove Hospice Mega Shop – has had a revamp since I visited last. It is a rather large store with lots of everything. Clothing is well represented as is furniture which has its own room
- Nearly New Glen Innes – a very small store but well set out, well lit and manages to have a little of everything
If you would like to visit these stores, I have put all of them on this handy map so you can plan out your visits.
Thrift Store Finds
Below are some of the goodies I found in a couple of the shops. Make sure to sign up for the newsletter (see below) to be one of the first to hear what I did with the items.
For a big day out I’ve listed 26 op shops to see in Hamilton, you may however need more than a day, happy shopping.
