The new thrift shop and social hub proving fashion truly is about feeling good

Posted on 22 July, 2026

When Air Force veteran Rachael Hopkins decided to open her own thrift shop, she had a very clear idea in mind: it would be a place that combines circular fashion and community, welcoming everyone.

Now, as she prepares to hold the grand opening on Saturday 15 August, The Thrift Hub has become all that and more.

“I don’t just want to run an op shop – I want to create a welcoming hub where everyone can thrift, connect, and give new life to what might have ended up in landfill,” Rachael says.

“It’s a safe place for people who might be going through something, or who are different-abled, or who are parents with kids. Kids are welcome. It’s an open space for everyone.”

As a passionate advocate for mental health, Rachael’s own thrifting journey began as a form of therapy. Moving to Canberra three years ago with her husband and five children, she began posting online reviews of local op-shops as a way of exploring the city and surrounding regions. She also shared her own mental health journey and medical discharge from the Air Force.

Thrifting not only gave her the endorphins and dopamine she was seeking but it also gave her an idea.

“I started a social media page where I shared reviews of every single shop I went to, showing what I bought and doing little hauls,” she explains.

“It turned out I had this idea to just do it myself.”

The social hub at The Thrift Hub is inspired by her own experiences and by what she says is a noticeable gap in the Canberra thrifting market: accessibility.

“We have a lot of variety, however, some of the bigger op shops are quite pricey these days and not always accessible for everyone. That’s my biggest thing I want my shop to be – accessible to everyone,” Rachael says.

“I’ve done a few videos looking at whether shops are disability-friendly for people with mobility aids and wheelchairs, or if they’re pram-friendly. Not all of them in the Canberra region are set up to be accessible.”

“I’m going to have a hub area, which is specifically for people to come and hang out, have a cuppa, have a yarn, and also be able to work on upcycling projects or craft projects.”

Along with creating a space for people that may not always have somewhere to go, The Thrift Hub is also partnering with local charities Toora Women Inc, Rise Above Capital Region Cancer Relief and Lids4Kids. Rachael will be ensuring that clothing donations and sales go directly to support people experiencing domestic violence, homelessness, cancer, and financial hardship.

“When someone’s rebuilding after violence, homelessness, or cancer, I don’t want them handed a random bag of clothes – I want them to come into the shop, choose pieces they actually love, and feel supported by their community.”

Rachael says opening The Thrift Hub has been incredible experience that has shown her the true generosity of Canberrans. She has connected with some amazing people and is incredibly grateful for the donations she’s received from the community.

Spending hours sorting through bags to stock the 198m2 shop, she says that shoppers will be able to browse clothes, books, shoes, bric-a-brac, kitchen wares, toys and more.

There are also plans for The Thrift Hub host workshops, cementing its status as a true community hub.

“Looking into the future, I’m looking at doing events and workshops around sustainability. A lot of people have put their hand up to help with teaching people how to repair things. fix a button or upcycle denim,” says Rachael.

“I’m passionate about sustainability and circular fashion, and that’s why I wanted to focus on that side of things instead of just running an op shop where things just come and go. I wanted to create as little amount of landfill as possible.”

From building an online community to opening a space to welcome a new one, Rachael’s message has remained the same: circular fashion truly is about feeling good. Part op-shop, part creative hub, and part safe haven, The Thrift Hub is her message come to life.

“I’m very open about my mental health struggles and my life as a veteran and my journey as an op shopper,” she says.

“Now opening a shop, I’m bringing people along for the whole journey, so they really do feel like part of it. So many people have offered to come in and volunteer to help me out…it’s really nice.”

The Thrift Hub will be open from 10 am until 4 pm, Thursday to Sunday.