The Angliss Op Shop is a heart warming place that has helped a LOT of people. It exists to raise…read moremoney for the Angliss hospital and it does a great job. The staff here are all volunteers and they each work half a day each week. Last year they raised over $150,000 for the hospital and it purchased a new operating table and upgraded patient beds so that they now have hand operated remotes rather than foot pedals that control the bed height. The staff were all treated to a special morning tea at the hospital to thank them for their efforts. The Op Shop itself is quite small but there is a lot packed into it. The prices are really cheap and they operate to help people who cannot afford clothing just as much as people needing medical attention. The staff are super friendly and are always up for a long conversation. I went there for the first time last week and picked up two dresses for just $8. Try to leave a donation if you can because 100% of their earnings goes straight to the hospital. They don't even have a phone because as one staff member told me "they cost money". They have accessories, clothing, books, kids toys, plants and garden accessories too. Give them a visit or drop off your unwanted clothes and books. They will really appreciate it and it's the only place I'll be leaving my things from now on.

Gepettos Workshop is an oasis of toys, colour and fun. There are incredible puppets hanging from…read morethe ceiling, wooden trains curving around shelves and all manner of exciting games and trinkets decorating every bit of space. It is great for children and parents will be hard spent to get their kids out without being convinced to buy something. The store specializes in toys that don't use batteries as they would rather kids make the sounds and use their imaginations. I reckon this is a really cool philosophy for a toyshop to have and I wish I were young enough to put their toys to good use. Perhaps my favourite items they sell are the Doll Houses. They are so elaborate and detailed with everything from carpeted staircases to windowsills and architraves. They are absolutely gorgeous. They are open every single day of the year from 10am to 5pm with the exception of Christmas day and the staff are always very welcoming. They accept cash, eftpos and visa and have the option of lay-by (which is just as well because some toys are pretty expensive)! Overall they are really fun stores that have been built with a lot of love and they really stand out from the little rooms full of plastic that are our modern toy stores. It's a fantastic little haven for the young and the old.

Came to browse around this wonderful toy workshop while waiting for our reservation at Miss…read moreMarple's tea room. As soon as you walk in, you can tell this toy store is unlike any other. It is absolutely packed with toys of every description- on their shelves, hanging from their ceiling, free standing on their floor- we spent a fair time just admiring every single product. They specialise in wooden toys for all ages, from the past era of Pinocchio- with a range of sized marionettes in the ceiling, every kind of hand puppet imaginable, spinning tops and wooden puzzles. They also have every other toy under the sun: dolls, their houses and accessories, dress up costumes, various puppets (animals, stage, fantasy, people etc), those for construction, games, soft toys, old school favourites, role play sets, books, figurines, musical instruments as well as mobiles, rock, roll & ride toys for the very young. Our teaching friends had a real good time looking at the potential ideas for their classroom. Walked out smiling just like they said I would. Definitely come in and have a look around this charming store with its unique collection of toys.

Walk in Wardrobe on the main shopping strip of Belgrave is a really groovy store that only stocks…read moreitems that have been pre-loved. Its owner is pro-recycling and manages to find some fantastic items that don't look second hand at all. The prices in here can be a little high considering most of the products are second hand but the environment in the shop is fantastic and there are a lot of great finds in the one place...so it wont stop me going back. There are groovy vintage accessories and vintage looking accessories like button rings and hand knitted brooches. These are around $15 and up. The shop itself is decorated in vintage posters and pictures of vintage fashion. Walking in here is enough to get you hooked on vintage and the idea of recycled clothing. It is open from 10am to 5pm every day although it is closed on Tuesdays and Sundays. The shop is a really great place to go and get something that no one else will have and the staff here are really friendly and love talking vintage. Get on down and check it out!

More up the alley of "Boutique Recycled Store" than an Op-Sop, Walk In Wardrobe is one of those…read moreshops that seemingly plunder regular op-shops for the cool stuff then sell it for an inflated price. The cons of these stores are the feeling you get, knowing that if you'd found these items at the Salvos you'd pay half the price, however the Pros are that you don't have to do the hunting. The clothes are usually of the 60's & 70's period, with great shirts and pants for the guys, plus heaps of funky vintage dresses for the ladies. With the prices as they are, your usual trip here will see you grab one or two items, as whatever the price, the stuff is always good and worth trying on for size.

Mountain Gate Op Shop is home to the sweetest people around. Run by volunteers it is a place people…read moredrop by just to have a chat and say hello, let alone for the shopping. The tiny shop is packed full of donations with everything from old leather jackets, children's toys, accessories, shoes, bags and socks to 50 cent books. The prices here are fantastic and I've picked up fantastic pieces here for less than a dollar or two. Despite the very low prices they often have sales. If you can afford to, try to leave a donation each time you shop there, the people who run it will really appreciate it. The shop itself is a little bit smelly, as most donation-fuelled Op Shops tend to be. Otherwise it is clean enough. I would recommend washing anything you buy at home before wearing it - just to make it smell nice again, but the clothes on offer here are great. They are open Monday - Friday from 10-3 and on Weekends from 10-1. Pay them a visit today.

This shop is always worth a visit when dropping in at Mountain Gate. Run by volunteers, it's one of…read morethe cheapest charity stores around. Other opportunity shops out some ridiculous prices on their donated items. It's small and a little cluttered but that's the nature of op shops. It's run by lovely people too.

Such a cute store! Wonderfully curated Aussie made goods that are nicely displayed. This store has…read morebooks, cards, arts, Knick-knacks, clothing, jewelry, and even beauty products. The perfect place for an after lunch browse and great if you're looking for an unique souvenir or gift. Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area. They also have an online store (website).

From the owner: Come visit our retail store in the picturesque Dandenong Ranges and be inspired and intrigued by…read moreour eclectic range of delectable locally handmade goods. A must see for that cool gift or product!!