Soul

 Because it popped up randomly on facebook, I discovered that there is an op shop and coffee shop at Bridgeman Downs called Soul. Research indicated that it is only open three days a week in school terms, so I waited until last Friday and headed out there. The address in my navigation software led me to an unmarked driveway at the rear of the Bridgemans Down Baptist Church, so bravely I entered.  If I had chosen the second driveway, where there is a sign and a dedicated parking area, life would have been a little easier, but I found Soul in the end.

What a pleasant surprise.  The coffee shop is in and behind a lovely white weather-board house, and the op shop is in what must originally have been the garage.  There is a well-stocked plant stall under cover next door.

Because the space is small, all clothing is out the back in the coffee shop's outdoor covered area, and the prices are cheap.  Inside the op shop, not a square millimetre is wasted.  They have an amazing amount of stock for such a small space and it is really well organised - books, CDs and DVDs all in alphabetical order, and the LPs and also alphabetised. i don't think I have ever seen this before (made it easy to find Kamahl!).

Linen, kitchenware and sporting goods are crammed into a small room off to one side, still beautifully organised, and even colour-coordinated!  The coffee shop was busy and packed with happy church-goers.  There is a children's play area, and even a community garden.  It's just lovely.

I was musing while I was there about how op shops - especially my favourites - regularly disappear. This prompted me to re-read this entire blog when I came home, to identify which oppies have disappeared since i began writing it in 2014.

The first op shop I ever patronised was Lifeline in Gympie Road, Chermside. It was there from my teens, but is gone now.  Another Lifeline that vanished, no doubt due to rent rises, is the one in Lutwyche Shopping Village/City/Market Central.  The one at Everton Park disappeared, but I just found its new location one block south.  The big Endos at Stafford has gone, along with the one at Capalaba, when the Dollery Road oppy precint there was wiped out.  At least Footprints still exists up the road. My two favourite RSPCA shops at Kedron and Strathpine both went, although the latter suffered a slow decline after its new manager decided to smarten it up, not realising that its crowded, chaotic state was the attraction.

Then there was the lovely little Lutheran oppy in Union Street, Nundah, and the latest to vanish is Vinnies at Northgate. I suppose the big new Vinnies at Virginia is meant to take its place.  There are, however, some compensations, as the Geebung cluster has grown from four shops to six.

Out of town, the squeezy Lifeline in the double garage at Woodford has been replaced by a much bigger shop on the other side of the road. I guess I must be thankful for small mercies.