Give-away shops or freeshops are second-hand stores that are starting to appear in Northern European towns and cities, especially in the Netherlands and Germany. They are similar to charity shops, only everything is available free (no-cost). Whether it is a book, a piece of furniture, a garment or a household item, it is all freely given away. They reflect a switch over from scarcity to abundance brought about by increased material wealth due to technological advances. The idea of free goods still carries some stigma, so many people who use these shops are those who are lead to either by need (financially poor, such as students, single parents & the elderly) or by conviction (anti-capitalists).
The slogan of the stores is:
There is not enough for everyone's need, but for everyone's greed
The first Give Away Shop was opened in Leiden (Netherlands), by members of the anarchist Eurodusnie Collective.
Give-away shops are often housed in squats. Naturally the shops don't make any profit, and are ran by volunteers only.
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