One of the best things about being a professional thrift shopper and reseller is exploring different regions of the country and seeing what national and regional chains do best.
After 30 years of road tripping and online flipping, I’ve created a list of second-hand shopping hot spots where you can guide your own treasure hunt.
Here are the best second-hand clothing store chains.
1. Habitat for Humanity Restore
locally owned human habitat organization, Habitat restoration Reselling building materials and household items. Proceeds help fund homebuilding and renovation projects for low-income families.
I used to avoid ReStores because I assumed their inventory was limited to raw construction materials and used appliances. How wrong I was! The store is a treasure trove filled with architecture, area rugs, vintage furniture and artwork.
2. Scrap
Reusing SCRAP creatives It was the brainchild of a group of public school teachers in Portland, Oregon.of 1999the team has opened a creative reuse space focused on reusing all kinds of handicraft materials (think yarn, scrap wood, tiles, bottle caps, paper, etc.).
Today, Portland has a SCRAP center, basically a thrift store with studio spaces and classes. Ann Arbor, Michigan. Baltimore, Maryland. Richmond, Virginia. Great for kids especially, SCRAP is like a creative brain playground.
3. Disabled American Veterans
of DAV Help veterans transition to civilian life, access benefits, and secure housing. It operates second-hand clothing stores across the country, but the organization offers little information on total numbers and locations.
This is a shame because the DAV store deserves a big PR boost. My closest store (Des Moines, Iowa) has been in business for over 40 years. Prices are significantly lower than competitors, and DAV has discounted all items by 50% during the pandemic.
Do a Google ‘DAV thrift store near me’ and if you find one convenient, stop by regularly.
4. Goodwill
Goodwill Helped redefine America’s recycling chain. The organization has transformed dark, musty stores into gleaming retail spaces that are fully integrated into mainstream shopping hubs.
With 3,300 stores in the United States and Canada, Goodwill’s sheer size makes it a mecca for second-hand shoppers.it’s simple Find a store near youAlso shop onlineHeck, you can even buy bargains by the pound at ‘the bins’!
Thrift shop proceeds fund Goodwill’s wide range of training, career counseling and resume writing services.
5. St. Vincent de Paul
From rent subsidies to food expenses and friendships, Saint Vincent de Paul Society We provide a wide range of services to help the needy around the world.
It is affectionately nicknamed “St.” His Vinny’s store by shoppers has a healthy inventory of ever-changing items. Prices can be high, but so are the chances of finding real treasures.
Oddly enough, there is no national listing of stores in St. Vincent de Paul. Do a quick web search to see if there’s a St. Vinny’s near you.
6. Brown Elephant
One of the Chicago Subway’s best kept secrets, brown elephant We operate three thrift stores in Windy City.revenue support howard brown healthLGBTQ health care and social justice organizations.
The Brown Elephant store offers a wide variety of designer clothing and jewelry, unique homewares, stacks of books and more. Think of it as the world market of second hand stores, or better yet, the real estate sales of your eccentric and well-travelled uncle.
7. Residential construction
Based in New York City, housing construction A non-profit organization dedicated to fighting AIDS and homelessness.Housingworks is successful online shop When 11 thrift shops and antiquarian bookstores All over New York and Brooklyn.
The atmosphere of the housing work and selection of goods is similar to the Brown Elephant. Expect to find quirky, classy and unique pieces.
8. The Salvation Army
What recycle shop have you never been to “Aunt Sally”? salvation army It is an evangelical organization that funds various community service programs for veterans, youth, and seniors.
In my experience, Salvation Army store Acceptable and resalable items tend to have lower thresholds. That means shoppers have to dig a little bit more to find good stuff.
And recently, while inventory has been declining, prices seem to be on the rise. Still, the SA store is a trusted part of the thrift shopping industry and usually he’s a bargain once or twice.
9. Saver
Unlike other organizations on this list, Saver It is a privately owned resale chain for profit. The company operates stores in the United States, Canada and Australia under the following names:
- Saver
- Value Village
- Individual
I have visited stores throughout the chain and have found them well stocked and well organized. figurines) are often grouped together in sealed bags, requiring shoppers to buy in bulk.
10. Desert Industries
In partnership with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Deseret Industries operates dozens of thrift stores in the western United States (15 in Salt Lake City alone). The few stores I visited were clean and tidy.
Unfortunately, DI prices are steep. If you’re buying items for a profit, this particular chain may not be the best fit for you.