Thrift Shopping by Region
West Coast
California, Oregon, Washington - Known for vintage finds, designer consignment, and eco-conscious thrifting culture.
East Coast
New York, Boston, Philadelphia - Urban density means incredible variety and frequent turnover of inventory.
South
Texas, Florida, Georgia - Large format stores, affordable prices, and unique regional finds including western wear.
Midwest
Illinois, Ohio, Michigan - Great values, quality furniture, and strong community-supported thrift store networks.
Top Thrift Shopping Cities
New York City, New York
The ultimate thrift shopping destination with unmatched variety and luxury finds
Best Neighborhoods for Thrifting
Upper East Side: Luxury consignment shops with designer clothing, handbags, and jewelry from Manhattan's elite. Expect higher prices but exceptional quality.
Brooklyn (Williamsburg/Greenpoint): Vintage boutiques, independent thrift stores, and hipster-friendly secondhand shops with unique finds.
East Village/Lower East Side: Eclectic mix of vintage stores, record shops, and alternative fashion boutiques catering to creative communities.
Chelsea/Flatiron: Mid-range thrift stores and consignment shops with professional attire and contemporary fashion.
Notable Store Chains & Locations
• Housing Works: Multiple locations, proceeds support HIV/AIDS services
• Goodwill NYNJ: Over 20 locations throughout NYC boroughs
• Buffalo Exchange: Trendy secondhand clothing with locations in Brooklyn
• Crossroads Trading: Contemporary consignment in SoHo and Brooklyn
• L'Occitane Consignment: High-end designer pieces in Upper East Side
• Ina Consignment: Luxury vintage and designer items in NoHo
Pro Tip:
Visit during Fashion Week (February & September) when fashion industry professionals donate current season pieces.
Los Angeles, California
Hollywood glamour meets vintage culture in the thrift capital of the West
Prime Thrifting Districts
Melrose Avenue: Iconic vintage boutiques, retro clothing stores, and unique finds from the 60s-90s. Tourist-friendly but pricier.
Silver Lake/Los Feliz: Hipster paradise with curated vintage stores, record shops, and artisanal secondhand boutiques.
Venice Beach: Bohemian thrift stores, beach-wear vintage, and eclectic finds reflecting the area's artistic community.
Beverly Hills/West Hollywood: Upscale consignment with designer pieces from entertainment industry professionals.
Must-Visit Locations
• Goodwill Southern California: 100+ locations with frequent restocking
• Out of the Closet: AIDS Healthcare Foundation thrift stores
• Wasteland: Trendy vintage clothing in Melrose and Venice
• Crossroads Trading: Multiple locations for designer secondhand
• The Way We Wore: High-end vintage in La Brea
• Jet Rag: Famous for $1 Sunday sales in Hollywood
Local Secret:
Check out estate sales in Beverly Hills and Bel Air on weekends for designer pieces and luxury home goods.
Chicago, Illinois
Midwest values meet big city variety in America's heartland thrift scene
Best Thrifting Neighborhoods
Wicker Park/Bucktown: Trendy vintage boutiques and independent thrift stores popular with young professionals and artists.
Lincoln Park: Upscale consignment shops and charity thrift stores serving affluent neighborhood residents.
Logan Square: Hip vintage stores, record shops, and affordable secondhand clothing with neighborhood charm.
Andersonville: LGBTQ-friendly vintage shops and unique boutiques in this diverse, welcoming community.
Chicago Thrift Favorites
• Goodwill of Greater Chicago: 40+ locations throughout metro area
• Salvation Army: Multiple family centers with furniture and clothing
• Brown Elephant: Howard Brown Health thrift stores (4 locations)
• Village Discount Outlet: Large warehouse-style thrift stores
• Crossroads Trading: Designer secondhand in trendy neighborhoods
• Unique Thrift Store: Color tag sales and frequent promotions
Winter Tip:
Chicago's harsh winters mean excellent coat selections. Shop in spring when people donate winter items.
Austin, Texas
"Keep Austin Weird" culture creates unique thrifting opportunities
Quirky Austin Districts
South Austin: Eclectic vintage stores, record shops, and funky boutiques reflecting Austin's creative spirit and music culture.
East Austin: Hip secondhand shops, art galleries, and trendy consignment stores in rapidly gentrifying area.
The Drag (Guadalupe St): Near UT campus with student-friendly prices and college-appropriate clothing and textbooks.
North Loop: Local vintage boutiques and specialty shops with carefully curated selections.
Austin Thrift Scene
• Goodwill Central Texas: 20+ locations with regular restocking
• Savers (Value Village): Large format stores with home goods
• Buffalo Exchange: Trendy secondhand on Guadalupe Street
• Crossroads Trading: Designer consignment in South Austin
• Antique Marketplace: Vintage and retro finds on South Lamar
• Cream Vintage: High-quality vintage clothing boutique
Music City Bonus:
Austin's music scene means great finds of band merchandise, vintage concert tees, and music equipment.
Regional Thrift Store Guides
West Coast Thrift Culture
San Francisco Bay Area
Tech money meets environmental consciousness, creating a unique thrift landscape with high-quality business attire and sustainable fashion focus.
- • Mission District: Eclectic vintage stores and Latino cultural fashion
- • Haight-Ashbury: Iconic vintage clothing from the counterculture era
- • Castro District: LGBTQ+ community thrift stores and boutiques
- • Pacific Heights: Upscale consignment with designer pieces
Portland, Oregon
Sustainability capital with incredible thrift store density and environmental consciousness driving secondhand shopping culture.
- • Hawthorne Boulevard: Vintage boutiques and eco-friendly shops
- • Alberta Arts District: Creative community thrift stores
- • Pearl District: Upscale consignment and designer pieces
- • Southeast Division: Neighborhood thrift with local charm
Seattle, Washington
Coffee culture meets outdoor lifestyle, with excellent finds in outdoor gear, flannel shirts, and tech casual wear from industry workers.
- • Capitol Hill: Alternative fashion and music merchandise
- • Fremont: "Center of the Universe" with quirky vintage finds
- • Ballard: Scandinavian-influenced vintage and maritime themes
- • University District: Student-friendly prices and textbooks
East Coast Thrift Traditions
Boston, Massachusetts
Historic city with college influence creates market for academic attire, preppy fashion, and intellectual books and media.
- • Cambridge: Harvard & MIT area with academic fashion
- • Back Bay: Upscale consignment near Commonwealth Avenue
- • South End: Victorian-era vintage and antique boutiques
- • Jamaica Plain: Diverse community with eclectic finds
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Blue-collar heritage meets urban revival, offering affordable family thrift stores and trendy vintage boutiques.
- • Northern Liberties: Hip vintage stores and artist community
- • Fishtown: Gentrification bringing trendy secondhand shops
- • South Street: Alternative fashion and music culture
- • Queen Village: Neighborhood charm with local thrift stores
Washington, DC
Political capital with international community provides business attire, diplomatic fashion, and cultural diversity in secondhand finds.
- • Dupont Circle: International community and embassy culture
- • Adams Morgan: Multicultural neighborhood with diverse fashion
- • Georgetown: Upscale consignment and prep school style
- • Capitol Hill: Political professionals and business attire
Major Thrift Store Chains Nationwide
Charity-Based National Chains
Goodwill Industries International
Locations: 3,300+ stores across the United States and Canada
Mission: Job training and employment services for people with disabilities and disadvantages
Best For: Clothing, books, electronics, furniture, and household items
Pro Tip: Check for color tag sales (usually 50% off specific colored tags) and senior discounts
The Salvation Army Family Stores
Locations: 7,000+ locations worldwide, 1,000+ in the US
Mission: Christian organization providing social services and disaster relief
Best For: Furniture, appliances, clothing, and large household items
Pro Tip: Often has the best furniture selection and accepts larger donations
Savers (Value Village)
Locations: 300+ stores in 21 states, plus Canada and Australia
Mission: For-profit company partnering with local nonprofits
Best For: Large selection, frequent sales, and organized store layouts
Pro Tip: Rewards program offers exclusive discounts and early sale access
Consignment & Specialty Chains
Buffalo Exchange
Locations: 45+ stores in trendy cities across the US
Focus: Current fashion trends and vintage pieces for young adults
Best For: Designer jeans, contemporary fashion, and accessories
Pro Tip: Trade in your clothes for cash or store credit
Crossroads Trading
Locations: 35+ stores in California, New York, and other major cities
Focus: Designer and contemporary brands for fashion-conscious shoppers
Best For: Designer clothing, shoes, and accessories at reduced prices
Pro Tip: Higher prices but better quality curation than traditional thrift stores
Plato's Closet
Locations: 480+ franchised stores across North America
Focus: Teen and young adult clothing from popular brands
Best For: Trendy clothing, shoes, and accessories for ages 15-30
Pro Tip: Specializes in name-brand items less than 2 years old
Hidden Gems & Local Favorites by State
California Gems
San Diego: Hillcrest and North Park vintage scenes
Sacramento: Affordable finds in Midtown district
Long Beach: Retro Row for vintage shopping
Santa Barbara: Upscale consignment on State Street
Fresno: Central Valley bargain hunting paradise
Texas Treasures
Houston: Montrose area vintage and Heights thrift stores
Dallas: Deep Ellum and Bishop Arts District
San Antonio: Southtown and King William District
Fort Worth: Near Southside and Cultural District
El Paso: Border culture creates unique finds
Florida Finds
Miami: South Beach vintage and Wynwood arts district
Tampa: Ybor City and Hyde Park neighborhoods
Orlando: Mills 50 and College Park areas
St. Petersburg: Central Arts District vintage scene
Jacksonville: Riverside and Avondale historic districts
Ohio Opportunities
Columbus: Short North Arts District and German Village
Cleveland: Ohio City and Tremont neighborhoods
Cincinnati: Over-the-Rhine and Northside districts
Dayton: Oregon District for vintage and antiques
Akron: Highland Square area thrift scene
North Carolina Nuggets
Asheville: Mountain town with artistic thrift culture
Charlotte: NoDa and South End neighborhoods
Raleigh: Glenwood South and Cameron Village
Durham: American Tobacco Campus area
Chapel Hill: Franklin Street near UNC campus
Oregon Oddities
Eugene: University town with student-friendly prices
Bend: Outdoor gear and mountain lifestyle items
Salem: State capital with government worker donations
Corvallis: College town with academic atmosphere
Medford: Southern Oregon valley finds
Regional Shopping Strategies
Climate & Geography Tips
Cold Climate Cities (Northeast, Midwest)
Excellent coat and outerwear selection. Shop in spring when people donate winter items. Indoor malls often have multiple thrift stores.
Warm Climate Cities (South, Southwest)
Great year-round selection but fewer seasonal items. Focus on summer clothing, beach wear, and outdoor living items.
College Towns
Shop during move-out times (May-June) for furniture and textbooks. Back-to-school season (August) brings fresh donations.
Economic & Cultural Factors
Affluent Neighborhoods
Higher quality donations including designer items, but potentially higher prices. Worth the trip for luxury finds.
Tourist Destinations
Unique local items and cultural pieces. Tourist areas may have higher prices but offer items not found elsewhere.
Industrial/Tech Cities
Business casual wear, electronics, and professional attire. Tech cities often have modern furniture and gadgets.