We’ve all done it. Bought the dress that looked amazing in the shop. Ordered the shirt online that never quite fit. Held onto the jeans “just in case” they’ll fit again one day.
Before long, the wardrobe is overflowing, yet somehow there’s still “nothing to wear.”
A new Bundaberg business is hoping to change that.
While there are plenty of ways to declutter and make a few dollars—Facebook Marketplace, garage sales and second-hand markets—they all come with the same hassles: answering endless messages, negotiating prices and arranging collections with strangers.
Bundaberg’s new business de:robe offers a fresh alternative. Simply rent a rack, fill it with your unwanted clothes, and let the team do the selling while you earn money from the items you no longer wear.
Rather than donating unwanted clothing, customers hire a rack in-store, fill it with quality pre-loved fashion and let de:robe do the selling. Once an item sells, the rack owner receives the money generated from their sales.
While women’s clothing makes up most of the store, men’s and children’s clothing is also welcome, along with shoes, handbags and accessories, provided everything is in good, resaleable condition.
Owner Narelle Cook says the idea was born from a problem almost everyone can relate to. “Most of us have wardrobes full of clothes we no longer wear,” she said.
(Image: Narelle Cooke Left with daughter)
“There are pieces we spent good money on, things we don’t fit into anymore, clothes we bought online and never returned, or simply items that no longer suit us.”
“But with the cost of living these days, people are looking at those clothes differently.
They’re not just clutter—they’re money sitting in the wardrobe.”
Located towards the Quay Street end of Tantitha Street, next to The Hub, de:robe has only been open a short time, but the response has already surprised its owner.
“The biggest thing I’ve learned is that there really is something for everyone on the racks,” she said.
“Everyone has a different style, a different size and a different budget, and that’s exactly what makes it exciting.”
As Australians become increasingly conscious of both household budgets and reducing waste, businesses built around reusing and recycling are continuing to grow in popularity.
Instead of perfectly good clothing ending up in landfill, de:robe is giving garments a second chance while helping sellers earn extra cash and buyers discover quality fashion at affordable prices.
It’s a concept neatly summed up by the business’s tagline:
Empty. Earn. Elevate.
You can find de:robe on Tantitha Street, Bundaberg, and is open Monday to Friday from 9am to 4pm and Saturdays from 9am to 1pm.
Published August 2026 Chitchat Newspaper