The Another Chance op shop at the Scullin shops is one of the hidden gems of the Canberra suburbs.
Run by volunteers for the Mosaic Baptist Church for 28 years, the shop is always on the list of local op shoppers.
It's secreted away next to the local doctors' surgery, raising more than $100,000 a year for the church's missionary work in Australia and overseas.
Volunteer manager Bronwyn Parsons said the work had funded projects such as an orphanage in Thailand.
"We're in the community for the community," she said.
Volunteers Joy Bevan and Phyllis Keeley were behind the counter on Wednesday.
"I love the interaction with the customers," Mrs Keeley said.
Mrs Parsons says unlike a big department store, customers are never rushed through and the volunteers are encouraged to have a chat with them.
"People open up to you," Mrs Keeley said.
Sylvia Xia, a former international student now living in Belconnen, was a regular fossicker in op shops. One of her favourite finds has been an Oxford blazer for $5.
"We don't have thrifting in China. It's fun, it's entertaining," she said.
Mrs Parsons says everything in the store was ticketed so that nothing stayed for longer than three months. Any remaining stock was sent to Sydney to people in need.
"Nothing goes to landfill," she said.
Another Chance is also starting regular sales to increase foot traffic and turnover.
From this Friday to April 14, everything in the shop is half price. The opening hours are 10am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday, and 10am to 1pm Saturday.
Extra custom is also likely to be enjoyed by the shop once the new Sweet Bones cafe opens soon at Scullin.
And everyone is excited about the coming coffee.
