St Vincent de Paul Shop Onehunga

The dopest of the dopest. The wrinkliest of the wrinkliest. The dustiest of the dustiest. From the dollar racks to amazing 3 piece 80’s business suits, all roads lead to St Vincent de Paul.
This massive shop actually used to be two op shops — from competing churches/​parishes. Ah those were the days.
What makes me sad though is the vultures who are just there to buy stuff to trademe. I guess it’s just another stage in the evolution of second hand shopping. I just try to ignore them because their two dimensional greed can definately ruin a good op shop buzz.
Tip for insiders — if you want a 15% discount tell the counter ladies you are a friend of Jesus.

I freaking love this op shop… everything about it. The lovely ladies that work there, the racks of gems just waiting to be discovered and their crockery section (probably my favourite). I have a real attraction to old mis-​matched plates and cups, especially when they are only a few dollars. I love they way they look all fastened to a wall as an arty piece, that may sound incredibly hipster but it just looks so cute! The staff here are so great, they seem to love working there and I am pretty sure they are all volunteers, they really brighten my day, if I ever feel sad it’s totally worth coming in here. You can find some amazing pieces of clothing here if you give it some time, if you don’t enjoy spending ages combing through racks of old smelly clothing can I recommend that this place is not for you, however if you do enjoy this hobby you will be in heaven here. What I love about this opshop is that you can find some really great things but they aren’t extremely overpriced compared with the paper bag princess or Tatty’s.

St Vincent de Paul in Onehunga is the ORIGINAL op shop as far as I’m concerned. Back long long ago when I was an awkward 14 year old setting out on my own personal style journey this was where it all began.
I still have several items bought back in the late 80s from this very store; they are (I shit you not) family heirlooms I will be passing on to my daughter. Sixties green/​red lurex shift with low back featuring a large bow? Yep, I own it and it was mere measly-​bucks. In fact I remember this was the place where I got my forest green faux suede belted safari jacket. I LOVED that jacket so much I literally wore it out and have major regrets because when I bought it from here circa 1987 there were several others EXACTLY THE SAME right next to it. I think they were all completely unused stock from some recession-​hit 60s groove factory. Oh those were the days.
Anyway, these days of course you’ll find the people who run these places are much more savvy and the good stuff costs a bit more. Also the word «vintage» was added to fashion-​speak and ever since op-​shopping just hasn’t been as much fun.
I do love this place though, but you can’t be in a rush — these things take time. Another thing I love is the characters. Trannies, old dears (actually quite a lot of trannies); they all still come here and I love it. I think they even may be the exact same people who were shopping here from the early days. Like me.