Good Sammy Cannington was the first Perth op shop I visited when I moved here in 2016. That was the first of many visits as it fast became my favourite op shop. Not only was it close to home and easy to get to by public transport (a big plus for me because I didn’t have a car at the time), it also had everything I wanted at extremely fair prices– much cheaper than this former Sydney op shopper was used to. It’s openness and wide aisles also made the store pram friendly. This was a big plus for me as I’d started to avoid op shops entirely because they were too cluttered and pokey to fit my pram. Before long, I was visiting the store weekly, with my baby and toddler in tow, excited about the affordable gems I’d find for myself, my family and my new home.
Located on 6/1293-1295 Albany Highway, Good Sammy Cannington is still my happy place - my go-to for everything from evening dresses to kitchen utensils. Nine times out of ten I find what I’m looking for and I’m often pleasantly surprised by what else I discover in store – particularly in the Gold Seal section. Last week, for instance, I spotted a genuine leather biker vest, tan leather cowboy boots and an impressionist oil painting by the American artist Caroline Burnett. The Gold Seal section is often stocked with big designer brands such as Gorman, Thurley, Calvin Klein, Ted Baker and many more.
But perhaps what keeps me coming back to the store is its impressive range of shoes and handbags. If you’re an accessories freak like me, your head will spin when you see the sheer volume of quality shoes. Sneakers, boots, heels, wedges, flats, sandals – you name the shoe, Cannington’s got it in spades. And for $6-$10 a pair, it’s very easy to fill a basket – but be sure to leave enough room for a handbag or two, because you’ll definitely find one here. Store Manager, Deb, agrees that Good Sammy Cannington’s extensive collection of quality handbags is a major drawcard for shoppers. She says, “we get a huge amount leather and designer bags from brands such as Coach, Oroton, Mimco, Guess, Michael Kors and many more.” In fact, during a recent visit I spotted a goes-with-everything navy leather tote by Aussie designer, Charlie Brown. For the bargain price of $12 I had to exercise a lot of will power to leave it. My handbag collection is honestly out of control – mainly because of this store.
Another reason I keep returning to Good Sammy Cannington is its vast selection of childrenswear, toys and costumes. My kids have practically grown up playing with the toys and wearing the clothes from this store and most of our Book Week and Halloween costumes throughout the years have been pulled from the racks. We often go there before parties to hunt for funky outfits and unique gifts. Check out this dream catcher I upcycled for my daughter’s friend’s birthday.
My kids have learned a lot about the circular economy from visiting Good Sammy Cannington and its Albany Highway neighbours, Vinnies and Salvos. Before each visit we always make sure we have donations to leave in the yellow bins out front and bottles to leave at the Containers for Change drop off point. The staff count the containers for us and send the refund to my bank account and just like that, we have money to spend in store. We can kill multiple birds with one visit to Good Sammy Cannington.
Before writing this article, I asked Perth op shoppers what they like about Good Sammy Cannington. They mentioned things like the convenient location, the spacious layout, the fair prices, and the cleanliness of the store. However, the most common response had to do with the store’s friendly staff. These loyal customers appreciate how staff members remember their names, how they help with any request, and how they’re willing to negotiate on price if the customer believes it’s too high. In the words of one customer, “Everyone who works there is lovely.” As a loyal customer myself, I would have to agree.
Store Manger Deb, who’s worked for Good Sammy for 12 years, is proud to run the Cannington store. She says, “Our store is large and full of wonderful bargains – but to find the treasure, you have to give yourself plenty of time to look through the stock properly. Our friendly team enjoy helping customers and we just want to make the world a nicer place. Come in and say hi.”
You heard her, make Good Sammy Cannington your next op shop visit. And if you bump into me while you’re there (which is highly likely), say hi to me too.
Best for:
- Womenswear
- Women’s shoes and handbags
- Menswear
- Childrenswear
- Toys
- Books
- Fancy dress
- Homewares
- Bric-a-brac
