Hey, thrift enthusiasts! Nelson’s op shops aren’t just stores; they’re bustling hubs of community vibes and second-hand treasures. Think of these shops as more than places to snag amazing deals; they’re the heartbeat of Nelson’s commitment to sustainability and supporting local causes.
In this guide, Our team has curated the top six op shops that add sparkle to Nelson’s local scene. That being said, from cozy corners filled with vintage gems to lively spots buzzing with community spirit, these op shops are your ticket to thrift shopping heaven.
Let’s get started then…
Nelson’s Top 6 Op Shops
Here are the six op shops we’ve determined to be the best ones for quality second-hand items in Nelson:
- St Vincent De Paul Op Shop – rated 4.0 out of 5
- SPCA Op Shop Nelson – rated 4.7 out of 5
- SaveMart – rated 3.5 out of 5
- Hato Hone St John Retail Store – rated 3.6 out of 5
- Red Cross Shop Vanguard Street – rated 4.1 out of 5
- ReStore – rated 4.5 out of 5
1. St Vincent De Paul Op Shop
| Best Known For | Furniture, Clothing, Footwear, Accessories, Curtains, Books |
| Website | https://stvincentdepaulopshop.business.site/ |
| Telephone | +6435489372 |
| Address | 77 Vanguard Street, Nelson South, Nelson 7010, New Zealand |
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
- Wednesday
- 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
- Thursday
- 9:30 am – 3:30 pm
- Friday
- Closed
- Saturday
- 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
- Sunday
- Closed
Reviews
“I had a fantastic day visiting this thrift store! The service was excellent, the selection was good, and the workers were quite nice and friendly. It’s a hidden gem in our community, and I highly suggest it.”
“I’ve been there before, but I missed it since it closes at four o’clock. Head out early in the morning. Wonderful staff and an amazing design. an established op shop. Furnishings are also included. A drive-in and ample parking are available for the delivery of contributions. The funds are given to those in the community who are in need. I want to thank everyone who contributed.”
2. SPCA Op Shop Nelson
| Best Known For | Jewellery, Homeware, Kitchenware, Women, Men and Kids Clothing, Linen, Toys, Furniture, Pet Supplies |
| Website | https://www.spca.nz/opshops?shop=nelson-op-shop |
| Telephone | +6435481519 |
| nelson.opshop@spca.nz | |
| Address | 21 Vanguard Street, Nelson South, Nelson 7010, New Zealand |
Hours
- Monday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Tuesday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Wednesday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Thursday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Friday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday
- 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
- Sunday
- 9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Reviews
“Amazing op shop in Nelson. Lovely people, and wonderful products. I can’t recommend this place enough.”
“Excellent service. Wonderful volunteers. They went out of their way to assist us.”
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3. SaveMart
| Best Known For | Smart and Casual Clothing, Designer Fashion, Street Fashion, Top Quality Shoes, Accessories, Books and Bric-a-brac, Kids Toys |
| Website | https://savemart.co.nz/ |
| Telephone | +6435478214 |
| savemartoffice@gmail.com | |
| Address | 109 Trafalgar Street, Nelson 7010, New Zealand |
Hours
- Monday
- Closed
- Tuesday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Wednesday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Thursday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Friday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Saturday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Sunday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Reviews
“If you’re looking for something unique, this is the place to go. Good value and has a wide range of options. Men’s, women’s, and infant apparel are all available. Towels, curtains, and swimmers are provided. Not all new, but plenty of designer labels.”
“There’s plenty of inventory, and everything is well-organized. You can only bring three items into the changing room, though they may allow you to bring more if you ask nicely.”
4. Hato Hone St John Retail Store
| Best Known For | Secondhand Clothes, Furniture, Toys, Books |
| Website | https://www.stjohn.org.nz/shop/retail-stores/nelson/ |
| Telephone | +64272928361 |
| Stacie.doyle@stjohn.org.nz | |
| Address | 46-48 Rutherford Street, Nelson 7010, New Zealand |
Hours
- Monday
- 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Tuesday
- 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Wednesday
- 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Thursday
- 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Friday
- 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Saturday
- 9:30 am – 2:00 pm
- Sunday
- Closed
Reviews
“A decent thrift store. Prices are on the high side, but the quality is on par.”
“Today, the op shop is open, and many people are seeking discounts and purchasing a large variety of secondhand things.”
5. Red Cross Shop Vanguard Street
| Best Known For | Clothing, Accessories, Footwear, Curtains, Books, Toys, Kitchenware, Homeware |
| Website | https://www.redcross.org.nz/about-us/contact-us/map-of-new-zealand-red-cross-locations/ |
| Telephone | +6435484764 |
| shop.vanguardstreet@redcross.org.nz | |
| Address | 76 Vanguard Street, Nelson South, Nelson 7010, New Zealand |
Hours
- Monday
- 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Tuesday
- 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Wednesday
- 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Thursday
- 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Friday
- 9:30 am – 4:30 pm
- Saturday
- Closed
- Sunday
- Closed
Reviews
“When I went in today, the place looked amazing. Great prices, a great assortment of garments, and an incredibly beautiful staff. Please go, it’s really worth it.”
“This Nelson Op Shop is very affordable and full of quality clothes. Plus, they’ve got nice and very accommodating staff.”
6. ReStore
| Best Known For | Used Furniture, Household Appliances, Clothing, Books, Building Supplies |
| Website | https://habitat.org.nz/restore/nelson/ |
| Telephone | +6435474626 |
| nelson@restore.org.nz | |
| Address | 166b Tahunanui Drive, Tāhunanui, Nelson 7011, New Zealand |
Hours
- Monday
- 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
- Tuesday
- 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
- Wednesday
- 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
- Thursday
- 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
- Friday
- 9:00 am – 5:30 pm
- Saturday
- 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Sunday
- Closed
Reviews
“Great facility for fantastic coffee and cuisine. Restore is a wonderful treasure. People are quite helpful. I’ve had to enact a rule: I’m not allowed to leave without packing up some donations, because you know I’ll be returning with something.”
“In addition to food and drink, there is an op shop and a community centre. Excellent tea and coffee too. The cost of food is affordable. An important resource for the community I’d say. A visit is highly recommended. I heard a lot of people promote it. exceeded anticipations. Free items are given out to promote restoration. There is an abundance of clothing, literature, furniture, and everyday household goods. You park on the outside. Funds are utilised to help more people get housing and to create a comfortable space where they can pick up new skills.”
FAQ on Nelson Thrift Stores
St Vincent De Paul Op Shop, SPCA Op Shop, SaveMart, Hato Hone St John Retail Store, Red Cross Shop Vanguard Street, and ReStore are some of the best second-hand shops in Nelson near you.
Yes, absolutely! Op Shops in Nelson often carry seasonal items like Halloween costumes and Christmas decorations. As the seasons change, these shops tend to stock items relevant to upcoming holidays or events. You can often find a variety of costumes, decorations, and themed accessories at affordable prices, making Op Shops a great resource for seasonal items. It’s a fantastic way to celebrate occasions without breaking the bank, while also supporting charitable causes through your purchases.
Op Shops in Nelson often offer a variety of toys and games suitable for different age groups. They usually stock toys and games for toddlers, preschoolers, school-aged children, and sometimes even items geared towards older kids or teenagers. The inventory can vary, but you can typically find puzzles, board games, stuffed animals, action figures, dolls, building blocks, and educational toys catering to various ages.
Yes, you can often find gardening tools and supplies at these Op Shops! These thrift stores frequently have a variety of gardening-related items, including hand tools like trowels, spades, pruners, and shears. Additionally, you might discover larger tools such as shovels, rakes, hoes, and watering cans.
Nelson, New Zealand, has a vibrant community with various thrift stores, and some may indeed be involved in mentoring or skill-building programs for youth. However, specific involvement can vary among individual stores or organizations running these shops. It’s best to directly contact or visit the thrift stores in Nelson to inquire about their community programs or initiatives aimed at mentoring or skill-building for the youth in the area.
Conclusion
Well, that’s our op shop journey! These spots in Nelson are more than just places to find cool stuff – they’re like mini communities filled with stories and good vibes. Furthermore, these shops are more about doing good for the planet and supporting local causes while finding awesome goodies.
So, next time you’re in Nelson, swing by these op shops, soak in the friendly vibes, and make a difference with your shopping.
