Good Sammy Balcatta: A big store with big heart

Drive down Erindale Road and I guarantee you’ll be drawn to Good Sammy Balcatta’s vibrant, yellow. As one of the largest Good Sammy stores in WA, it’s a mecca for thrifters and conveniently located between a Vinnies and Paraquad Industries op shop.

The store has it all: clothing, accessories, homewares, toys, books, bric-a-brac, sundries and furniture. It’s a clean and bright space with wide aisles and a well-organised layout for easy navigation. Good Sammy Balcatta is a go-to store no matter what kind of thrifter you are; fashion lovers, students, young families, retirees, homemakers and collectors are all catered for.

Balcatta Store Manager Linda says, “We have a lot of regular customers because we have a wide variety of goods for people of all ages, backgrounds and budgets.” One of the regular customers, Sarah, credits much of her wardrobe to Good Sammy Balcatta. In fact, it was here that she found her favourite-ever pair of shoes: vintage-inspire slingback flats with bows and daisy print. She’s also known to trawl the store’s well-stocked homewares section for lampshades, cushions and sewing patterns.

Good Sammy Balcatta’s range of homewares and furniture is a major drawcard for shoppers and when you see things like this, it’s easy to see why! Like many others, Sarah swears by Balcatta’s Gold Seal section, which often features high end labels such as Carla Zampatti, Sass & Bide, Ginger & Smart, Veronica Maine, Ralph Lauren, Zimmermann and many more. Sarah says, “I find the Gold Seal prices incredible given what the items retail for. I’m a recent op shop convert, who used to buy retail all the time, so it’s an absolute steal to pay a quarter of the price for things I used to buy at full price.”

For those on a tighter budget, Balcatta has a huge clearance rack with quality items for only $2 each. The store also runs regular sales and offers, and if they ever run a two-for-one sale on their handbags, look out. Balcatta is a preloved handbag paradise. Just look at all the beauties I spied in one visit.

Linda leads a team including 13 employees with disability, guiding them in daily retail tasks tailored to their employment goals. From sorting donations to assisting customers, they gain skills, confidence, and a sense of purpose. Volunteers like Suzanne appreciate the store’s supportive environment and encourage others to join. Suzanne says “The store would love more volunteers, so if you have any spare time and can help, I know that they would welcome you with open arms. You could make the store even better.”

I personally volunteered during my visit and witnessed the positive impact of Good Sammy’s work. Whether you’re interested in disability support, recycling, or preloved fashion, volunteering at Good Sammy Balcatta is a rewarding experience. It felt good to be part of something meaningful. You can enquire about volunteering at Balcatta today by calling 9463 0500 or  Volunteer Enquiry Form.

What’s next for Good Sammy Balcatta? Soon, the team will introduce a new system of sorting clothing by both size AND colour, making it even easier to find your perfect pieces amidst their thrift-tastic rainbow of clothes. See the real thing by visiting 39 Erindale Road today.

Best for:

• Womenswear
• Menswear
• Childrenswear –
• Gold Seal
• Handbags
• Homewares
• Furniture
• Bric-a-brac
• Toys
• Books
• Sundries