Red Cross Shop South Melbourne

Robert Ho★★★★★July 2026Report

*Charity Shop on South Melbourne's Main Strip* The prices of this op shop tend to be quite high. It's cleaner than average and well laid out.

Baggage Claim Philosopher★★★★★June 2026Report

It is one of life's enduring mysteries that we have sent men to the Moon, split the atom, and taught a computer to argue with strangers on the internet, yet nobody can adequately explain what an op shop is trying to do, besides smell odd. The best definition I can offer is that it is a retail reincarnation centre. Objects arrive having completed a previous life, are gently assessed by volunteers, and are then released back into society for a second act. Every op shop carries a faint but unmistakable aroma of optimism. Not quite new. Not quite old. More the smell of a lamp, a chair or a jacket saying, ‘l reckon I've got another decade in me.’ The Red Cross Shop in South Melbourne is a particularly fine example of the species. First, there is parking. Actual parking. South Melbourne parking. Which is a bit like discovering a unicorn tethered outside Crown Casino. Second, there is Simon (well today at least). Now, every good institution has one person secretly holding the whole operation together. Simon appears to be that person. Polite, knowledgeable, helpful, and possessed of the sort of calm confidence usually found in air traffic controllers and experienced bomb disposal technicians. Ask him about an item and he knows where it came from, where it is, where its cousin is, and possibly where it should be living next. The shop itself is full of bargains. Not fake bargains of the ‘reduced from a completely imaginary price’ variety, but good bargains where you briefly wonder whether somebody has made an accounting error. Books, household goods, curiosities, furniture, clothing and assorted treasures waiting for someone to convince themselves they absolutely need them. And that is the other thing worth mentioning. Unlike many retailers, this place is actually helping people. Every purchase does a little bit of good in the world. You leave with a lamp and a clearer conscience. That's efficiency. The only concern I have is that the place could use more volunteers. Because if Simon ever decides to take a day off, the South Melbourne economy may suffer a measurable contraction. Entire shelves could become confused. Crockery may lose direction. A cardigan could spend weeks wondering whether it belongs in menswear or homewares. So if you've ever thought about volunteering, consider this your sign. Go for the bargains. Stay for Simon. Leave with something you didn't know you needed and the comforting knowledge that somewhere, somehow, a perfectly good toaster has been given another chance at greatness. A monument to second chances, sensible prices, and the proposition that even a slightly eccentric lamp deserves redemption.

Melissa Gemmill★★★★★June 2026Report

Not the cheapest op shop but it’s curated really well and not full of shein stuff. We bought heaps of really high quality items for great prices. Simon is also very lovely :)

Eddy Chee Eats★★★★★November 2023Report

I bought heaps from this place. Some of them were brand new too. Definitely recommend this thrift store as they have a huge range of designer stuff.

Adam G★★★★★January 2018Report

It was nice to see this new-look Red Cross Op Shop at 336 Clarendon Street while on my way to do some shopping in South Melbourne today. They're just setting it up now and it will be open next week so it will be interesting to see what lines they have. Clarendon Street is becoming quite popular now with a number of op shops on this shopping strip including the Salvos Store on the city end of the strip and the Sacred Heart Mission Op Shop at the other and now the Red Cross Op Shop in between these.