What’s your favourite Thames op-shop? Secondhand shop? Antique shop? Market?
We’ve gone through the plethora of quirky and interesting shops and markets selling secondhand goods in the Thames Ward, from Hikutaia in the south to Waikawau in the North and picked our eleven favourites so you can easily go on the hunt for treasures next time you’re in the area.
If you’re smart, you can create a circuit as most of the shops are within a few blocks of each other – if it’s a Saturday, include the Thames Market and all the shops on Pollen Street and the side streets.
Or if it’s the first Sunday of the month, head to the Puriri Markets before browsing through the Thames Indoor Market and then hitting up The Seagull.

Thames Saturday Market (Grahamstown) • Grahamstown, Thames

This is a local institution, started in 1995 by Aucklanders Dianne and Peter McKinnon before weekly Saturday markets were a thing in New Zealand. It celebrated its 25-year anniversary in 2020 – not a great year for markets! But the Thames Market not only survived the Covid years, but it’s thriving, and has maintained its essence throughout. Fees are low for stallholders, and many long-time locals host stalls for interactions and connections, not necessarily to sell squillions. That means there’s a plethora of local and creative goods including everything from homemade baking and plants to bric-a-brac and clothing, or handcrafted jewellery and homemade soaps to eggs and avocados.

The current owners, mother and son team Jaini and Denver, are former stall-holders who, likely many stallholders, used their stall at the markets to springboard into a permanent shop (Made Pretty). They now run the markets and their shop. The markets have a beautiful community feel, and there’s always live music to listen to, food stalls, and plenty of people to connect with.

Thames Trading Post • 724 Pollen Street, Thames

New to Grahamstown and across the road from The Salvation Army, the Trading Post is livening up the area with its eclectic paint job. The Trading post is a hive for local industrial collectables like old motoring and industrial signs, tools and hardware, as well as coins and notes, model cars, bottles, jewellery and clothing, bric a brac and Kiwiana souvenirs. It’s probably got one of the best selection of tools out of all the options on the list. You’ll also find items like stainless bench and trolleys, and bakery pie trays.

Thames Indoor Market • 621 Pollen Street, Thames

One of the beauties of this Market is that it’s open seven days a week and on Sunday, you’ve got somewhere to pop into Thames to fossick! There is new, there is old, there is vintage, retro and collectable. The market is a collection of stall holders, and each section has a distinct flavour, flare and offering. There’s even a garden section out front, undercover. There are also crafts, locally created, and a selection of potions and balms, also created locally. You can even pick up local eggs sometimes, at $6 a dozen. If steampunk is your thing, riffle through the outfits and accessories on offer. Who knows what you might find?

Antiques in Thames • 638 Pollen Street, Thames

This family-run business started as a small secondhand shop forty years ago, now Antiques in Thames boasts 5000 square feet of space and houses a treasure trove of antiques sourced nationally and internationally. It’s a treasure emporium; with quality antiques, vintage and retro eras, ceramics, smalls, country, collectables, salvage and architecture. There’s a vast amount of stock to explore, in a wide range of price points. If you’re looking for furniture in oak, kauri, walnut, or mahogany woods, this is definitely where you want to shop.

The Seagull Centre • 104 Burke Street, Thames

This is the last stop before items end up in landfill, located beside the Thames Transfer Station. It’s blessed with a large indoor and outdoor space, which means there’s room for all kinds of things that other secondhand shops don’t have space for – including plywood sheets or kitchen fixtures. Often there is literally the kitchen sink on offer! Other items sold include furniture, electronics, whiteware, clothing, household goods and toys. The Seagull was founded in 2004 with a mission to drive the circular economy. If you can time it right, show up for one of their fortnightly auctions – this is where the unusual, collectible, or rare items feature.

Outcasts • Corner of Albert Street & Queens Street

There is no rhyme or reason as to when this Thames secondhand shop, Outcasts is open, but owner Shane Howell says that if the sun is shining, the chances are higher. Named after the goods that people cast out, Howell sources his stock from ‘everywhere and anywhere’. You’re always welcome to drop off any treasures that you’re ready to relinquish too.

There’s no prices on anything, and everything is negotiable. Fall in love with something, name your price, and if you’re lucky, Shane will say yes. It’s the kind of place where quirky lives, and you never know what treasure you might stumble upon. Howell cites a painting by Martin Tissink as an example of the kind of quality that can pop up. Keep an eye out when you’re driving the highway through Thames, and if it’s a sunny day and goods are spilling out onto the grass verge on the corner of Queens Street and Albert Street, stop the car, park up, and have a fossick.

The Hospice Shop • 402 Pollen Street, Thames

This is one of eight op-shops that Hospice Waikato operates in the Waikato. It’s deceptively large, and always has a great window display out front. Clothing is helpfully organised into cool and vintage pieces in the front, and then high-fashion and designer items next to the counter. These items are priced according to quality and label. The rest of the clothing is on racks in the back half of the shop and priced at anywhere from $2 an item. there’s also plenty of furniture, household items, artwork, toys, linen and its the only Thames op-shop with a special section dedicated to men.

The St John Op Shop • 101 Pahau Street, Thames

This Thames op-shop has an active Facebook page where they often post photos of new items in stock – that means you can keep an eye out before you even get to the store. It’s not as large as the Salvation Army around the corner, yet it’s stuffed with quality stock and it’s regular customers often comment that it’s like a ’boutique op-shop’. It’s well-laid out, easy to browse, and the staff are always helpful.

The Salvation Army • 711 Pollen Street, Thames

Active in Thames for 140 years now, this is a spacious and well-stocked op-shop with all the usual treasures on offer. There’s a good selection of artwork, books, household items, clothes, furniture and jewellery. Plus the staff are lovely, and always happy top help you search out that special item you’re hunting for.

Underdogs • 734 Pollen Street, Thames

This is not just one-of-it’s-kind in Thames, but possibly in the whole country. Where else can you see stuffed dogs arranged at tables, drinking coffee or playing cards? Don’t get distracted by the various stuffed dog displays – there’s plenty of collectibles available in the shop including vinyl, leather, stereo gear, kauri gum and various collectibles. There is even a display copy of the Weekend Herald announcing the first Covid case in New Zealand, back in February 2020.

Puriri Markets • 8872 State Highway 26, Puriri

This market happens on the first Sunday of every month. It’s a small, community-orientated market and all funds generated by the stalls are used for maintaining the community hall. The markets run from 10am – 1:30pm at the Puriri Community Hall.

Crown Lynn and More Store • 756 Pollen St, Thames

Crown Lynn ceramics became a household name in New Zealand in the 1950s and have continued to have a place in many Kiwis hearts. You can find all these memories and more at Crown Lynn and More Store where you can pick up sets of Crown Lynn plates, saucers, cups, glasses, vases, swans as well a mandatory tea towel for the kitchen. Retro bliss! The owner knows her stuff and prices are very reasonable. It’s another must see on your trip to Thames and the perfect place to stock up your kitchen crockery for your home or bach.

(Ok, yes, that was 12, not 11. We’re adding worthy entries of Thames op-shops and more as they come to our attention!)