Review by Kristina Vallesteros
For generations, thrift shops have served as a practical resource for communities. Whether for someone seeking a budget-friendly alternative, a collector hunting for vintage finds, or simply a bargain, these shops offer a second life for pre-owned items.
Beyond affordability, this cycle of reuse is a direct form of recycling, diverting goods from ending up landfills and reducing environmental waste.
In Macau, the “Good Fortune” Charity Shop embodies this principle while channelling its purpose towards a specific social mission.
The shop operates as a social enterprise under Caritas Macau, a major Catholic charitable organisation established in Macau in 1951 that provides extensive social welfare, educational, and community support services across the territory. Every pataca spent in the shop becomes funding for these Caritas programmes.
The shop’s name, as noted on its website, is inspired by the Chinese idiom “goodness necessitates a sharing of itself” (行善積德，福有攸歸). Since its launch in 2011, it has created a three-fold benefit by promoting environmental sustainability through reuse, offering low-cost essentials to the public, and generating proceeds that support Caritas initiatives, including job training and reintegration programmes for vulnerable groups.
Located on Rua da Concórdia (和樂街) in Fai Chi Kei district, the modest two-story shop offers a wide assortment of donated goods. The ground floor is filled with clothing racks spanning various styles and periods, alongside shelves of toys and miscellaneous curios. Upstairs, visitors can find other items like electrical appliances, winter coats, and shoes.
But on top of what can be bought, the environment also provides a welcoming atmosphere. During my recent visit, a kind staff member gently recommended a sweater and highlighted its unique pattern and warmth for the cooling weather, providing an exchange that felt less like a transaction and more like thoughtful advice.
“Good Fortune” Charity Shop relies on community donations to stock its shelves. It accepts new or fully operational used household appliances, toys, luggage, daily necessities, and brand-new clothing. Donors are encouraged to take items directly to the shop during business hours and to call ahead. However, one should keep in mind that the shop will not accept damaged furniture, faulty electronics, medicines, or used undergarments.
The shop also welcomes volunteers interested in its operations or simply to lend a helping hand. Application details are available on the Caritas website. The shop opens from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Sunday, closing only on public holidays.
These photos downloaded last night from the Caritas Macau website show the “Good Fortune” Charity Shop located on Rua da Concórdia (和樂街) in Fai Chi Kei district.
