If you haven’t heard already, RSPCA Op Shops have now scattered SA, bringing bargains to the community and donations to our furry friends. Every dollar spent at the RSPCA Op Shops goes to animals in need and they accept preloved goods all year round.
To celebrate the recent opening of RSPCA’s ninth Op Shop in the state at Ridgehaven—joining Sefton Park, Kidman Park, Blackwood, Brighton, Marden, Prospect, Sempahore and Warradale—the Verse team went on our own missions to hunt down the hidden gems and best deals.
Geena
After running some errands on a Sunday afternoon, I decided to pop by the RSPCA Kidman Park op shop to see what goodies I could find while I was out. Walking in, I noticed the interesting company I was with—from some old ladies dropping off bags of donations, to a footy team of boys clearly looking for an outfit for some kind of cross-dressing event they’re attending soon. After scoping out the shop a bit more, I made a beeline towards the book section. Unfortunately, nothing caught my eye this time (rare!) but I soldiered on, determined to find some hidden gems. The funny thing was, the longer I spent in the store, the more interesting items I found! I ended up picking up a Family Feud board game, a set of mugs, a set of stone bowls, an Adelaide guidebook, sticky notes, and a phone mount for the car—all for just $30!
Favourite item: Set of two mugs ($6.00)
Total spent: $30.00
Tanner
I had so much fun discovering some treasures at the RSPCA Op Shop in Sefton Park. Browsing through their wide collection of gently used goods was such a treat for me. My total came to about $30, which was honestly such a bargain considering the amount I bought. If I had to choose between any, my favourite item would have to be the gold decorative candle, as it has made such a nice addition to my living space.
Favourite item: Candle ($2.99)
Total spent: $30.00
Annabel
When I visited the RSPCA Op Shop at Brighton, I headed straight for the book section (a predictable move by an editor). There were shelves upon shelves of dog-eared reads to choose from, but I chose a big, chunky hardcover about Indonesian design and culture, and a vintage Italian cuisine recipe book. After spending too much time scanning the bookcases, neck craned horizontally, I had only a few minutes left to check out the clothes. Pretty quickly I found a white Kookai tee (basic, but practical). It’s stretchy (which will be necessary after I devour some homemade tiramisu) and in great quality. I then hit up another RSPCA Op Shop in Kidman Park. With three other warehouse-size op shops in the same complex, I’m naming Kidman Park as the Mecca of Adelaide’s thrift scene. It was a holy experience. I snagged two black tops; an Indikah tie-up piece and Witchery black tee (again, all about practicality). I also picked out a vintage terracotta jar, which I can’t wait to fit out with some dried native flowers.
Favourite item: Italian cookbook ($5.00)
Total spent: $31.00
Ryan
Armed with nothing more than $30 and a blank mind, I descended upon the Blackwood RSPCA not knowing what I was looking for or what I would leave with. A few months ago I moved out of home and felt I would use this opportunity to see what items I could find that would help me in my quest to be an independent fully functioning adult. Upon entering the shop, I could see a vast variety of very affordable items, many of which could be very useful for either the household or myself personally. The first thing that caught my eye was the cooking books in the corner of the shop; I purchased two as I figured it might be nice to expand my current culinary skills beyond pasta and ‘finding whatever is at the back of the pantry and throwing it on a plate’. Beyond this, I was able to purchase a tie for $2 to add to my collection as well as some glassware (including a vas) to give my house more of a spark. Finally, I couldn’t leave the shop without purchasing a sippy straw cup because even the most adult of us still want to be a child at times!
Favourite item: Salad cookbook ($4.00)
Total spent: $30.00
This article was written in collaboration with RSPCA South Australia.
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