Thrifting and op-shopping could be the next tourism attraction for Canberra

When people are turning up a week before the official opening and peeking through the window the day before, it's clear this is a Canberra enterprise that is going to be popular.

But it's not a brand-name franchise or chi chi restaurant opening up, it's a second-hand store that's also about community, sustainability and connection.

The Thrift Hub owner Rachael Hopkins in the "social area" of the store where people can sit, have a coffee and chat. Picture by Keegan Carroll