When The Thrift Hub opens its doors in Fyshwick this month, owner Rachael Hopkins hopes people will come for more than a bargain.
Alongside racks of second-hand clothing and donated goods, she is creating a space where people can have a coffee, learn how to mend a favourite piece of clothing, work on an upcycling project or simply connect with others. “I want it to be a safe space where it’s inclusive and where anyone can come,” Hopkins says. “I hope for it to be a place that’s not just a thrift shop. It’s a community hub as well.”
The idea grew from Hopkins’ own experience after moving to Canberra three years ago. A former Air Force member, she was medically discharged after 13 years of service due to mental health challenges.
As she adjusted to life after the military, Hopkins began visiting op shops across Canberra and sharing her finds on social media. It gave her a reason to get out, explore her new city and do something she enjoyed. “It was a form of therapy for me because I was getting a dopamine hit and really enjoying what I was doing,” she says. Eventually, she began wondering whether she could create something of her own.
The result is The Thrift Hub, which has been designed to be wheelchair and mobility-aid accessible and will include space for community workshops, upcycling projects and repair sessions. Volunteers have already offered to share skills such as sewing, replacing buttons, mending clothes and using a sewing machine.
For Hopkins, sustainability is only one part of the picture. She hopes the space will bring people together, whether they are shopping, volunteering, learning a new skill or simply dropping in for a chat.
I don’t want it to be where people think it’s only for people that are struggling,” she says. “It’s for everyone and I want them to feel welcome.”
That community spirit has been evident before the doors have even opened. Hopkins has been inundated with donations, including quality clothing, shoes and accessories, while others have contacted her offering their time and skills as volunteers.
Among those early donations was warm clothing and shoes that found their way to a grandmother who had recently arrived in Canberra from Papua New Guinea with little more than a handbag and a pair of thongs. Coming directly from a village, she was unprepared for a Canberra winter.
Hopkins was able to provide her with warm clothing and enclosed shoes and later tell the donor exactly who her contribution had helped. “She was in tears and crying, and then the lady who dropped off the shoes was in tears as well,” Hopkins says.
So I’ve seen a big impact already.”
It’s the kind of connection Hopkins wants The Thrift Hub to foster on a larger scale. She hopes to build partnerships with organisations including Rise Above, Toora Women’s Services, HOME in Queanbeyan and Lids4Kids, looking beyond simply handing over donations to practical initiatives, fundraising and community events.
Affordability is also central to the model. Most clothing will cost $10 or less, with children’s clothes starting from just $2. And Hopkins says affordability doesn’t mean compromising on quality, with donated items ranging from everyday essentials to well-known Australian and designer brands.
For families feeling the pressure of rising living costs, she hopes that means good-quality clothing remains within reach. Just as importantly, she wants to challenge the idea that shopping second hand is only for those experiencing financial hardship. “I want everyone to have the opportunity to be a customer and be involved,” she says.
The Thrift Hub officially opens on Saturday 15 August, but for Hopkins, the donations, offers to volunteer and community support arriving before opening day suggest the “hub” part of its name is already taking shape.
It may be a place to find a bargain, but she hopes it will also become a place to learn something, contribute something, or simply feel welcome.
The Thrift Hub, at 4/116-118 Wollongong St, Fyshwick, will officially open on Saturday, 15 August.
