On Johnston Street in Fitzroy, Used Pty. Ltd. occupies a particular niche in Melbourne's antiques scene. This is not a shop of polished curiosities arranged for effect. It deals in early Australian furniture and industrial relics — objects that carry the physical weight of the workplaces and public spaces they came from. The smell hits you before you get far inside: natural oils and waxes, the residue of actual restoration work. It tells you immediately that these pieces have been attended to, not simply acquired and priced.
The stock divides naturally into two broad worlds. One is domestic and commercial furniture from Australia's mid-century decades: hardwood chest drawers, Art Deco oak filing cabinets, 1950s steel workshop trolleys. The other reaches into salvage from public and industrial life — folding theatre chairs from the 1940s, railway and maritime pieces that carry the marks of their original use. Stock rotates continuously, so a return visit rarely covers the same ground twice. Browsers willing to come back consistently tend to find the inventory more rewarding over time.
Industrial lighting gets particular attention here. Copper floodlights, factory pendants and workshop lamps appear regularly enough to suggest a deliberate collecting focus, not an occasional find. For anyone sourcing vintage Australian industrial lighting, Used Pty. Ltd. is worth a specific trip rather than a passing stop.
Staff knowledge is one of the shop's genuine differentiators. The team knows the provenance and restoration history of individual pieces and tends to share that information without being prompted. Buyers often leave with a sample of the finish used in restoration and written refinishing instructions — a practical detail that extends the value of a purchase well beyond the moment of sale.
Used Pty. Ltd. opens Wednesday through Sunday from 11am to 4pm and closes Monday and Tuesday. Pricing sits at the accessible end of Melbourne's antiques market, which makes the shop well suited to interior designers working within tight project budgets. Collectors who want original industrial-era objects already restored and ready to use will also find it a productive destination.
Getting there by tram is straightforward. Tram 86 stops at Stop 19: Johnston Street, approximately 44 metres from the shop — essentially at the door. Stop 20: Rose Street on the same line sits around 250 metres away and works just as well from the other direction. For visitors arriving from further afield, Victoria Park station rail replacement stop is approximately 800 metres away and serves train lines HBE and MDD as well as bus routes 200, 207, 241 and RRB: MDD.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When is Used Pty. Ltd. open?
A: The shop opens Wednesday through Sunday, 11am to 4pm. It is closed Monday and Tuesday. Confirming hours directly before you visit is always worth doing, particularly around public holidays.
Q: What is the easiest way to get there by public transport?
A: Tram 86 is the most direct option — Stop 19: Johnston Street puts you essentially at the door of 260 Johnston Street, Fitzroy. If you are travelling from further afield, Victoria Park station rail replacement stop is around 800 metres away and connects to bus routes 200, 207, 241 and RRB: MDD.
Q: What kinds of pieces does the shop typically carry?
A: Used Pty. Ltd. focuses on early Australian furniture and industrial salvage — mid-century hardwood drawers, Art Deco oak filing cabinets, folding theatre chairs, railway and maritime pieces, and industrial lighting such as copper floodlights and factory pendants. Stock rotates continuously, so repeat visits regularly turn up new finds.
Q: Is this shop worth visiting if I am on a tight budget?
A: Pricing sits at the accessible end of Melbourne's antiques market, which makes it a practical destination for interior designers working within project budgets as well as collectors hunting restored, ready-to-use pieces without the added cost of restoration work ahead of them.
Q: Do staff help with restoration questions after a purchase?
A: The team is knowledgeable about provenance and restoration history and tends to share that information without needing to be asked. Buyers often leave with a sample of the finish used on their piece along with written refinishing instructions — a genuinely useful detail for anyone planning to live with or display a piece long-term.
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