Good Sammy Malaga: A hotspot for op shopping foodies

Aside from the being the birthplace of Pablo Picasso, the artsy city of Malaga in Spain is known for its vast array of unique cuisines and vibrant thrifting scene. Similarly, its Perth counterpart is also a hotspot for foodies and thrifters, with many flocking to Malaga Markets for a feed and to Good Sammy for a browse and shop.

When Perth’s Best Op Shops members were asked to share their thoughts on Good Sammy Malaga, there was a flood of positive responses. One shopper, Tracee, loves Malaga’s range of books at great prices, while Jeanette loves the handbags. Tez likes how clean and well-laid out store the store is, while Jacinta’s a fan of the clearance racks and the “dolls” who work there. One of which is Sharyn, a Good Sammy employee with disability.

Sharyn will always happily introduce herself as soon as customers walk in and ask if they need help finding anything. For Mel, the Store Manager, it’s incredibly rewarding watching employees with disability like Sharyn gain confidence through working at Good Sammy.

Mel says, “Good Sammy is a brilliant company to work for and their purpose, giving employment to people with disabilities, is what makes this job so rewarding and enjoyable.” It’s rewarding for customers as well. Sharyn’s greeting was a great way to begin a thrifting adventure.

Anneleis, another fan of Good Sammy Malaga, says she loves Malaga’s range of vintage clothing – especially items with shoulder pads. This is also a drawcard for @_morgan.thrifts who has sourced much of her Y2K-inspired wardrobe from Good Sammy Malaga.

“I love the Malaga store”, Morgan says. “I found my favourite noughties skirt there and it was one of the pieces that made me super excited about all the great things available through op shopping. Whenever I visit the store, I always come away with something cool for my wardrobe.”

Thanks to Sharyn’s help, I came across a number of vintage gems during my visit, such as an embroidered nautical blouse, a retro biscuit tin, dress patterns from the 70s and 80s and even some Adidas Originals Superstar sneakers which looked just like the ones I owned in 2002.

If you’re more into up-to-date fashion, Malaga’s got that too – and plenty of it. @Malinda_withan_a is a big fan of the store’s vintage finds, but she’s also scored a tonne of goodies by Seed Heritage, Kookai and Decjuba to name a few. This La Maison Talulah dress retails for $260, but Malinda scored it for a mere $7.

These items are just a glimpse of the many goodies that are waiting to be found on any given day at Good Sammy Malaga. The staff are currently in the process of arranging their stock according to size, so it’ll soon be easier than ever to strike gold in the racks. And whether it’s Gold Seal or clearance items, there’s something to suit every budget and taste at Good Sammy Malaga. Every week the staff put excess clothing from the shop floor onto the clearance racks, so it’s worth checking out. I found a Marcs knit tee for $2!

Store Manager Mel, says, “We get a huge variety of donations to our store. Though every customer is looking for something different, most of the time they will find what they’re looking for. Our staff are always willing to help, too.”

And if you’re reluctant about taking the kids with you, don’t be. Good Sammy Malaga is a very family-friendly store and has a huge selection of quality toys, games and books. Check out this awesome steam train!

So, why not bring the whole family along to Good Sammy Malaga for a spot of thrifting. You can also reward yourselves with a tasty meal the markets afterwards.  Sounds like the perfect day!

Best for:

• Womenswear
• Menswear
• Childrenswear
• Gold Seal
• Clearance items
• Shoes and handbags
• Books
• Toys
• Homewares
• Bric-a-Brac