The new Kings Cross Community Centre Opportunity (Op) shop opened last week at 117A Macleay Street opposite the Fitzroy Gardens. 

Items are donated with all proceeds going to help keep the Community Centre financially viable for its many social services.  

The Kings Cross Community Centre is a non-profit, community-based organisation which aims to meet the needs of local residents, especially the frail, the aged and people with disabilities. 

The centre caters to people living in Kings Cross, Elizabeth Bay, Potts Point, Rushcutters Bay and Woolloomooloo, as well as Darlinghurst, East Sydney, Paddington (within City of Sydney boundaries) and Surry Hills (north of Cleveland Street). 

The Centre offers many services including bus outings, shopping services, exercise classes (creative movement, tai chi, yoga and Feldenkrais), a jumble and book sale every Thursday, and a crucial information, referral and advocacy service.   

The Op shop is staffed by volunteers and is a cave of quirky, unexpected kitsch delights and surprises. Items are very reasonably priced and make wonderful gifts, dinner party offerings, birthday and Christmas presents.  

Roger, the Store Manager, says “The response has been extremely positive, with items selling very quickly. Customers have been overwhelmingly complimentary about the store and our wide range of items. Although we are not in competition with other similar stores, our ever-evolving range is complimentary.” 

This eclectic shop is like a hippopotamus: impossible to define until you’ve seen it. 

Consider these delectables: a comfy silver hip flask, a famous Tom Roberts shearing shed picture on a tray;  an endlessly fascinating snow globe of Potts Point; a table decoration and set of wooden vegetables; a Royal Albert “Friendship” tea set; sheets and warm woolly blankets; a Santa Claus mug; a croquet set; a Wonder Woman suit; a 1930s Royal Doulton serving plate; over 160 DVDs and 200 CDs; a Solingen Art Deco Bakelite fruit bowl; men’s shoes; jackets; luggage; cutlery and other kitchenalia; a very large “gold” metal goldfish; an impossible-to-describe knick-knackery item consisting of two painted wooden spring onions joined with dangling gum nuts (?!) and with no known purpose; or even a Breville infra-red body massager therapy kit. 

The most popular item is women’s fashion including an extensive range of scarves and handbags. 

Aladdin’s own cave couldn’t compete with the layers and mixture of items available. The collection changes daily.  

All donations can be left at the KX Community Office, 50-58 Macleay Street, Potts Point, NSW 2011. The office is at the end of the arcade next to Baroda Street and Maggie’s Restaurant adjacent to the Fitzroy Gardens, Potts Point. 

Kings Cross Community Centre Opportunity Shop 

Address: 117A Macleay Street Potts Point NSW 2011 

Opening hours: 

Tuesday to Saturday 10:30am to 3:30pm 

Sunday and Monday: Closed 

Phone: 9357 2164  

By Andrew Woodhouse 

Heritage Solutions