This little store in the heart of Subiaco packs a mighty punch. It’s filled to the brim with a great range of women’s and men’s fashion, accessories, books, toys, homewares and interesting bric-a-brac items.
In the short time I spent there, several gems jumped out at me, including some adorable heart-shaped ceramic ornaments, serving platters with an interesting Aztec design and a set of vintage tin plate wall hangings that a collector would surely swoon over.
The Subiaco store’s exclusive Gold Seal section boasts high-quality vintage pieces and designer brands such as Gorman, Calvin Klein, Sass & Bide, Camilla, Zimmermann and Manning Cartel to name a few – and many items still have their tags attached.
The racks are restocked every day, so get in early to grab a designer gem for a quarter of its retail price before it’s snapped up by another savvy shopper. Jenny, the store manager, has a real talent for making flat lays with some of the store’s Gold Seal stock. She regularly posts photos on the Perth’s Best Op Shops Facebook group, so join the group and type Good Sammy Subiaco into the search bar to keep up to date with what the store has in stock.
Another thing the Subiaco store is best known for is its selection of wedding gowns. Once you enter the store, your eyes are instantly drawn to a wall of white, ivory and champagne-coloured gowns in an array of sizes and styles - from ball gowns to column dresses and everything in between. I was particularly drawn to a beaded lace overlay that would look stunning over a white slip dress – and it was only $60.
The average cost of a wedding dress in Australia is $2,637, whereas Good Sammy’s wedding dresses are priced between $50 and $250. When you consider these numbers, shopping for a wedding dress at Good Sammy should be a no-brainer for any thrifty bride-to-be. You’ll significantly reduce your wedding budget and give a gown a second life while supporting a local charity which provides employment opportunities for people with a disability. Better yet, you can donate it after your big day, so it brings joy to another bride-to-be. It’s a win-win!
If you’re new to op-shopping or overwhelmed by the thought of rummaging through a store the size of a warehouse, then Good Sammy Subiaco is the store for you. It’s easy to find your way around with each section clearly labelled and the well-organised racks and shelves make finding things a breeze, so there’s no need to rummage. The store’s central location and proximity to public transport is another drawcard as you can easily duck in on your lunch break or during a stroll down Rokeby Road. As one op shopper says, “This Good Sammy is near my favourite Japanese grocer, plus lots of other cool places in Subiaco. Going in for a visit can be lined up with other activities for a nice and convenient day out.”
And did I mention they’re open on Sundays? A shopper says, “I shopped there recently on a Sunday afternoon before a matinee at The Regal and bought two dresses and a handbag for $20. It was polite, friendly service.”
Another shopper said she once popped in ten minutes before closing and rather than rushing her out of the door, the staff still were still so chatty, helpful and accommodating.
Peter helps run this polite and friendly team of 11 staff members. He previously volunteered for Good Sammy and Salvos and managed the Wangara Salvos store for three years before taking up the position of Assistant Manager of the Subiaco Good Sammy store four months ago. Peter says the best thing about working for Good Sammy is the helping people with disability develop employment skills and confidence. “Why we’re here is for them”, he says. “Yes, we have to keep the shop in order, organise everything, get stock out and do all the other things a retail business does, but ultimately, it’s about improving employment outcomes for our team.” You can’t argue with that!
Do yourself a favour and pay Jenny, Peter and the dedicated team a visit.
Best for:
- Gold Seal items
- Formalwear
- Wedding dresses
- Glassware
Click here for Good Sammy Subiaco directions and opening hours.
