Fashion: Great finds between the covers

Shannon Weaver has written a book on secondhand stores in New Zealand. Photo/George Novak

Connoisseurs of preloved stuff will love this handy guide to secondhand stores

Bay local Shannon Weaver has turned her passion for secondhand shopping into a guide. She visited all the secondhand stores in the country and her new book has all you need to know to find secondhand goodies.

"Picking up a preloved item is doing all sorts of good for the community, the environment and your wallet. You're getting a bargain, reducing landfill, supporting charities and re-using instead of buying plastic imports," Shannon told indulge.

"Secondhand stores can be found all over the country, from big cities to small country towns and everywhere in between. Op-shops and charity stores are bustling, volunteer-run shops with bargain-basement prices. "Antique stores can be museum-like and nostalgic. Junk stores, record shops and re-use centres bring out the magpie in all of us.
"Collectors Anonymous is a selection of the best of all of these, small enough to keep in your bag or in the car's glovebox for all road trips and other adventures that may leave you wondering where the nearest secondhand store is."

The first edition features close to 1000 secondhand stores nationwide. Here are Shannon's top five for Tauranga.

1 Treasure Trove
17 Newton St, Mount Maunganui (07) 575 8668
What used to be the big pink shop in the central parade shops is now a short distance away on Newton St. The name says it all; full of stuff someone will need or want, it's just a matter of digging around a bit.

2 This and That
Village @7, 7 Clarke Rd, Te Puna (07) 552 4221
Just off the main highway through Tauranga. A large antique shop of small curios - glassware, ceramics and pottery, lighting and some clothing at the back.

3The Dovecote
1060 Beach Rd (07) 542 2320
Right at the end of Papamoa East in a small bunch of shops is The Dovecote. Great finds at proper op-shop prices. Clothing, kitchenware, household bric-a-brac, toys and small furniture items. Lovely staff and always bustling.

4 Waipuna Hospice Op Shop
1310 Cameron Rd, Fraser Cove (07) 578 5763
Just past Fraser Cove Shopping Centre with a few parks off the road. Another shop that is always bustling, so if there's something you like you better snap it up quick! A large shop with books and kitchenware in the front, clothing in the middle and large furniture at the back. Great to kit out a flat or new home on the cheap. Friendly staff and affordable prices.

5 Basement Boutique
Entrance off Ngatai Rd, below church, Otumoetai (07) 576 6756
A hidden gem tucked under the church and only open two days a week so time your visit for Wednesday or Thursday. A dinky shop of clothing and bric-a-brac. Loads of off-road parking available.

- Extracted with permission from Collectors Anonymous
$19.90 online or via selected stockists: collectorsanonymous.co.nz