Feather Shaw and Rowan McArthur want to create community networks based on recycling and sharing, which are free from excessive consumerism.
The shop, where people could collect clothes, books and household items and not pay for them, was just the first of many ideas.
While they had been "overwhelmed by the generosity and support" shown to them, they still needed a permanent site to run the shop and hold workshops and events, Miss Shaw said.
In the meantime, the shop was operating out of a van, which parked between Harrow St and Anzac Ave to open for trade on Saturday.
The day went "really well" with many people stopping to either collect items or drop them off, she said.
A public meeting to discuss ideas and the Free Shop concept will be held at 7pm today at 5B Buller St.
