Regain Hope Charity Shop, Coolum Beach, QLD

How good is that feeling when you stumble across an op shop, and as you approach it, the good op shop senses start to tingle, and the closer you get, this sense is reaffirmed. The Regain Hope Charity Shop in Coolum is most definitely a ‘good op shop’.

To start, it’s in an old ambulance building, and its signage is chef’s kiss. On aesthetics alone, this op shop is A+. But what unfolded once inside was too much for my treasure-hunting self to bear. There was no way I could take it all home on the plane with me, plus I didn’t need any of it. Who ever does?

I’ve recently been trying out a new way to op shop: take a photo of it, share it with the people you know who are likely to give you the validation you need, and move on (you can also take it one step further and build a website so you can share with the entire world if you like).

Anyway, the key takeaway from this is that you can love and appreciate things without needing to own them. Wow, this op shop post got way deeper than I anticipated.

The Regain Hope Charity Shop are a good bunch of people, too. Their mission is to fight human trafficking and support survivors of abuse in rebuilding their lives. As you add new treasures to your home, you’re also contributing to a meaningful cause and raising awareness about an important issue, just like a visit to all great op shops.

I hope to share many more of my favourite oppie discoveries here with you. Please let me know if you have any favourites you’d like to share.