Op Shops Melbourne NE/East - Eltham

There are actually two op shops in Eltham, both a little obscure: the Brotherhood shop is tucked away behind the Eltham Village shops, and the Uniting Church shop is on the Main Rd out of Eltham, and only open Wed-Fri.

Here is a map showing the locations:

Eltham Op Shops - adapted from Open Street Maps

The Brotherhood of St. Laurence shop is inside the Eltham Mall, at the back of the car park behind the Village (where Coles is located):

Eltham Brotherhood Op Shop - adapted from Open Street Maps

You can enter the car park from Arthur St or Dudley St. The car park gets very busy at peak times, but you can go up to the higher car park at the back for easier parking.
Here is the approach to the Mall coming in from the Dudley St entrance, showing the road up to the higher car park.

The main entrance to the Mall is at the left of the above photo, and the op shop is at the back of the mall, just to the left.

It's a small shop with clothing, manchester and some books and bric-a-brac. Prices are good and the service is very friendly. Specials racks are out the front.

The shop is open Mon-Fri 9.30-4.30 and Sat. 9-1.

The Uniting Church in Main Rd (corner of John St) has had a shop operating at the end of the week for years. It used to be in a small building but it's been expanded and now encompasses a few rooms with a wide range of small goods, books, clothes, toys etc. 

Park behind the church and enter from the back, The car park entry is in John St.

The shop is open on Wed, Thurs and Friday; I will post the hours when I get a chance to check.

I will add photos when I get there - I always seem to be rushing past without time to stop.

Op Shops Melbourne NE - Diamond Creek, Hurstbridge

DIAMOND CREEK

Heading out NE along the Kinglake Rd (or on the train line from Eltham), you'll find a few op shops worth exploring.

Diamond Creek had 3 op shops until recently; the Salvos shop has just closed due to rising lease costs. The Salvos still operate their "Garage Sale" on Saturdays (8-12am) at Briar Hill - see previous post.

The Austin Hospital Auxiliary Op Shop ("Austin Health") moved into a new building some time ago, right next to the old building in Main Rd/:

They have a range of goods for sale, clearly displayed; prices are not as cheap as they were in the old building, especially for clothing,but they do have specials.

There is no parking outside the shop; it's best to park either in the Plaza car park (turn in at the lights), or park in the parallel spaces West of the Plaza, and walk back to the shop. Or you can go round the back and there's a small car parking area behind the shop.

Here are the opening hours for the Austin Health shop:

The other Op Shop (Aunty B's) is also in the Main Road (Chute St), on the South side, further back towards Eltham. Here's a map of them both:

Map of Diamond Creek Op Shops - adapted from Open Street Maps

Aunty B's (Epic Op Shop - to support children with Down Syndrome) is at the bottom of the shops on the North side of Chute St, next to the Shell petrol station.
Here is the approach from the West (from uphill):

You can park outside the shops but there are not so many spaces and some are only 15 mins or so; it's often easier to park outside Shell. Here's the view from that side:

Aunty B's is a small shop but packed with clothes and bric-a-brac, books etc; prices are good and service is friendly. Opening Hours are usually Mon- Fri from 10am - 4pm, Sat. 10-12.30.

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HURSTBRIDGE

The next township past Diamond Creek (and the end of the train line) is Hurstbridge. There's a range of places to get coffee or food, a pleasant creek-side walk or picnic area at Ferguson's Paddock, and of course the Op Shop, run by the Green Wedge Christian Community.

Map of Hurstbridge Op Shop - adapted from Open Street Maps

The Op Shop looks small from the front but the main building is packed with goods, there's another building at the back with clothing, manchester etc, and there is always a range of odd items out the front. It's always worth asking the friendly staff if you're after something in particular.

Opening hours at Hurstbridge are Wed- Sat 9am - 4pm.
You can usually park right out the front (except around 2.45-3.45pm weekdays, which is pick-up time for the school opposite).

Op Shops Melbourne NE - Briar Hill / Momtmorency

Still in the Greensborough area, the Vinnies Op Shop at Briar Hill is well worth a visit.
It's tucked away off Sherbourne Road, and easy to miss if you're not looking out.

Coming from the city direction, you need to turn left into the driveway just past Williams Rd:

Vinnies is at the end, with a few parking spaces outside but it's not usually busy (you could always park in the next side road and walk back).

There's a good range of items for sale, including some furniture, at good prices.
Here are the opening Hours:

Also, if you're in the area on a Saturday morning, it's worth going up Mountainview Rd and checking out the Salvos weekly 'Garage Sale' at the back of the Greensborough Church and Community Centre in Glendale Rd. They are usually open from about 8am - noon on Saturdays, weather permitting.

Map of Briar Hill Op Shops - adapted from Open Street Maps

I don't have any photos as I haven't managed to get there for ages (the weather has been foul, too), but they used to have a heap of stuff, including furniture etc. It wasn't fancy, but there were some great bargains.

Op Shops Melbourne NE - Plenty

Heading further North from Greensborough, firstly East towards Diamond Creek then turning North onto Yan Yean Road, you'll find the Re-Use shop on the right hand side just past the big pylons and high-tension power lines crossing the road.

Map of Plenty Re-use Shop - adapted from Open Street Maps

It's at the site of the old council tip, and the property still had council facilities - recycling, dog pound etc.
Here is the view from the North -you enter through the gates where the big green -and-white signs are:

The 'shop' is the pink shed just inside the gates, on the right. You can park behind the shed.

There's a fenced yard behind the shed with all sorts of larger/outside stuff, and inside is crammed with assorted bargains.

This shop is run by the Green Wedge Christian Community (as is the Hurstbridge Op Shop).
Service is cheerful and prices are cheap - it's a real treasure trove of who-knows-what.

Note that it's only open Friday-Monday inclusive, 10am - 3pm.

Op Shops Melbourne NE - Greensborough- Apollo Parkways

Heading North away from Greensborough up the hill, you come to the large roundabout where the bypass ends; across the roundabout heading West is Civic Drive, with Sports and Fitness centre, Shire Library and Council Offices on the left as you enter the Drive. On the right, past the Primary School, is the Apollo Parkways shopping centre with IGA... and the St John of God Opportunity shop.

Map of Apollo Parkways Op Shop - adapted from Open Street Maps

It's a very quiet spot with plenty of parking (unless you hit School Pick-up time), so you can have a leisurely browse.

The shop is small but friendly and well-priced, with the usual selection of bits & pieces and clothes- but the clothes are actually arranged in sizes!

Opening times are Monday-Friday 9am-4pm:

There are  weekly 50% off  'Tag Sales', so look out for an extra bargain!