Bargain City in Lutwyche is full of a whole range of cheap and cheerful products. They've got…read moreplenty of stuff from pet needs, homewares, toiletries and confectionary. You would be struggling to find anything over the price of $15, as everything is cheap cheap CHEAP. The quality, is not so bad although cheaply mass produced. I've bought plastic tumblers from here that have survived a whole lot of dropping, but are in great condition still. They've got plenty of wrapping paper for last minute wrapping needs and my favourite, cheap art supplies including canvases! The customer service here is really good. They've always got enough staff to handle the customers and they even have enough time to personally help customers out. Pretty good place for a bargain shop.

Who doesn't like a discount store that sells those little bits and bobs that you need around the…read morehome or for some random occasions? I've noticed that a lot of these types of stores popping up now in these times of purse pinching. Super Variety Discount is a store that will probably have those odd things you seek. If I've ever needed a moneybox or a set of cheap tools and I'm way shallow in the money stakes, I've gone here. Sometimes it's kind of a guilty pleasure when I've got like $2 to spare and I want to find something value for money even if in the end it's a cheap pair of pluggers that will last me a weekend. Be away though, you get what you pay for. Ok, lets be real here, the stuff that you buy here is probably not of the high standard that you'd expect from a major retailer and more than likely the goods are made in some third world country children's sweatshop. Sometimes we forget these things for the deal. Also, for those who like a good toke on the tobacco leaf, there is a cabinet full of smoker's paraphernalia. Get in there before their all gone.

Living close to this store is great all your needs in one store and at a great price too the store…read moreis well stocked and the staff know where everything is which help Keep up the great work

North-West Plaza works for me as a local. Not only can I do my grocery shopping at Woolies, but…read moreyou have access to an organic butcher & drygoods store. Add to that all the essentials of a Medical Centre, Chiropractor, Travel Agent, Bakery, Bottleshop, Greengrocer, Gym, Pharmacist, The Reject Shop and a few food outlets and really you don't need much else for your week to week needs. Parking is never an issue, whilst there is a restriction upstairs of 30 minutes you also have the option of under cover which allows 3 hours. As a local shopping centre this is a well organised one with the right facilities which minimises the running around to get my chores done. For all of us with busy lifestyle's that can only be a winner!

North-West Plaza is a handy spot in a central location. It has your essentials like Woolworths, a…read morePharmacy, Greengrocer, Butcher, Bottle Shop and ATM's but then it also has unexpected gems. The Rejected Shop is a great addition, it is a rare find in nowadays and you'll be surprised at the useful products they provide on the cheap as well as having my all time favourite Sushi Train 'Crazy Fish Sushi' which is quite new to the location. You can't lose shopping at North-West Plaza PLUS it saves you driving to Brookside, Chermside or Stafford!

I've been to this store a couple of times when in need of some books. There is a small range and if…read moreyou're lucky you'll find a good one. Primarily this store is stocked with old and used clothing and house hold goods. I'm told that on a Monday afternoon that's when the cool retro stuff is in and all the second hand retailers are digging through to find the best hand me downs to sell in their own stores. There is a plethora of ladies wear throughout the store and some suits for the gentlemen. My suggestion is to go check it out cause everything that's bought there goes to a good cause.

A big thanks to this store i was able to buy a easy chair to help me out with my back issues Cheryl…read morethe manager was so helpful i cant thank her enough and Cheryl is always so helpful to me Thanks

I find it's always the small, independent fruit shops that have the freshest and best fruit. There…read moreare few strawberries I've had that have topped the ones I bought at Fruit Fantasy & Deli at Stafford City Shopping Centre. They have a nice range of fruit and veggies and a small deli around the back that also has a good range for its size. There are dips, meat, breads, and cheeses to choose from to go with the very nice and very fresh fruit. Though it can't compete on a size scale with larger chains of fruit sellers and the likes of Coles and Woolworths, this little place has some great stuff at really excellent prices. A ridiculously large of behemoth strawberries only cost me $6 and at the rate I go through strawberries, that's exceptional value. Their produce is fresh and a really great alternative to chain stores if you like supporting local suppliers and sellers.

This fruit and deli might be in a suburban shopping centre, but it's worth every car-park fight and…read moreschool holiday group of teens that roll their eyes at you on your way into the Stafford Shopping Centre. Family-owned and run, there's a decent range of fruit and veg (specials are based on what's in season), deli goods including Roza's Sauces, meats, cheeses and sauces, and specialty items. Given it's Christmas, for example, there's a stack of Pannetone's available at the front of the store. The prices are fairly consistent and really no more than the two main supermarket players. But what you get here that you don't get elsewhere is the feeling that you're supporting someone local, produce that is seemingly fresher and some fancy #smugtrolley warm fuzzies as you take your eco-tote filled bags to the car.

Stafford City Shopping centre is pretty good for what it is. It's a simple place of commerce and…read moreretail for many families in the inner north of Brisbane. Its two biggest retailers are Woolworths and a Big W. Soon there will be an Aldi opening. So for basic home staples from fridge to wardrobe most families can find what they need. There are a number of cheap home ware stores like Bargain City and an independent fruit store and butcher. For fashion, there are a few stores but none of the high-end retailers you might find at the larger shopping centres. There is a food court with a range of quick bites and a cinema showing all the latest movies. If you're looking for a dining experience Stafford has a Fasta Pasta and a little pub venture called The Beach House. Sometimes there are the Stafford City Flea Markets held on a Sunday.

This little shopping centre is pretty vintage - by which I mean it often feels like it's straight…read moreout of the 80's. It's got a few coffee shops, a great stretch of fruit shop / bakery / butcher, a couple of jewellers, some fairly 'nanna' fashion shops and a Woolworths / Big W combo. There is also a food court up near the cinemas, hairdressers, Australia Post - standard shopping centre fare. What I like most about it is the convenience factor. Aside from the lack of an ANZ bank in the area (there is an ATM) it has everything I need in a fairly compact layout. Parking is usually pretty easy, and I don't have to walk past 4 km of chain stores to get to the post office.

First up, this is one of the funniest and to the point bargain shop names I've ever seen. And, as…read morethey promise, they are always a bargain. Sure, maybe only a bargain for the 3 weeks the product lasts, but this is one of those treasure stores so beloved of students. Need a washing basket? Don't pay $10 in the supermarket, get one here for $2. How about weird bathroom objects? Check! Going through a gardening phase but can't afford to buy from legit stores? There's actually quite a good range that will get you to a foam box full of parsley in no time. Be prepared to wade through mountains of crap, but there's actually quite a few little gems buried in this cheekily named shop.

If you like your collector locomotives, your collector cars, this is the one stop shop for you…read more They stock the biggest range of trains, cars, kites, model airplanes that I have ever seen. Walking into this place is weird because you feel that you shouldn't touch anything because you don't want to break anything but every ounce of your child within is really doing everything it can to not want to touch and play with everything within sight and within reason. With locomotives here going for over $1000 this is the real deal, not for the faint hearted but for serious lifelong collectors who are establishing their collection for grandchildren. The trains are limited editions sometimes and will only increase in value over time (they tell me), so you better be serious when you buy them and maybe just keep them in the box. Not the kind of stuff you buy for kids that are young. But kids that are old enough to appreciate a good thing and take care of a good thing when they see it.

I went into Hobbyrama for the first time yesterday to buy some glue (long story). Wow. I never knew…read moreI had an inner ten year old boy but apparently I do because I had so much fun looking around in here. Maybe I should start building model cars. They have so many crazy things that I would never have even known existed. Their range of model cars, planes, boats, tanks, trains, and insert any other mode of transportation you can think of here is amazing. The store is huuuge and literally packed to the rafters. As well as the model vehicles they have doll house kits, and little doors, furniture, etc. to for people who build dollhouses. Just seeing the little doors and windows in their packages made me smile thinking of Grandfathers making dollhouses for their grand-daughters. But now I'm getting emotional over a hobby shop. Hobbyrama has puzzles, crafts, kites, and countless other things you could do to entertain yourself or hone your fine motor skills. I've never built a model in my life, but this shop is full of so many things that even a hobby n00b like myself would love to try my (very shaky) hand at. I needed to buy glue for small pieces of plywood, and the guy behind the counter helped me out and was very friendly. He didn't even mind that I had my fourteen year old terrier in tow (who was busy examining the extensive range of matchbox cars down at his eye level). Hobbyrama is worth a browse purely out of interest. You'll be surprised by the kinds of cool things people make. You might even end up tackling something yourself although if you're anything like me you'll no doubt end up with pieces of aeroplane glued to your hands, but it's all part of the fun, right?

I remember when Loot was a bit of revelation on the Brisbane homeware scene. Way back in the mists…read moreof my youth these guys were some of the first people to start importing cheap Asian homewares and it made birthday and gift shopping HEAPS easier. Since then a lot of other people have done this, often with classier results, however Loot is still a good place to pick up a cheap bit of tat to brighten up your living room. Just make sure you've got your taste-o-meter going or you could end up regretting some of your purchases.

This is a lovely homeware oasis in the madness of Chermside…read more Beautiful linen, gorgeous homewares and delicious organic skin care and candles are complemented by a decent jewellery and book section. I particularly loved the huge range of organic scented candles and the aromatherapy section, so many places stock cheap, synthetic options but Karma Living has the real deal.

Stepping into this shop, you feel as if your soul has been captured by monks and taken to a more…read moreserene and better world. It is lit by burning scented candles and every corner of the shop exudes a different aroma. Buddha statues line your path through the store, directing you towards soothing oils, face masks, jewellery, meditation books and home decorations. One of only two of these stores in Queensland, it is unique to Brisbane, and a wonderful retreat from the throngs of shoppers pulsing through the Chermside mall. Definitely a store for one to visit to reconnect with their spiritual side and to pamper their skin and soul.