How to find thrift stores?

[hobo]

I'd like to do some more thift store shopping but am not sure where to look.

How can I go about locating more thrift stores in my area, and how can I determine what stores might be good and what stores might not?

 

[rnoldh]

You've got the right name for finding thrift stores.

What area do you live in?

 

[AlanC]

I did a google search for thrift + stores + [your city here]. It will also provide a map for you of their relative location.

Honestly, the only way to know if they're worth going to is to visit. Enjoy your search!

 

[Vintage Gent]

Phone book. Generally under "Thrift Stores."

As to which are worth your while. Alan's right that the only way to tell is by going, although thrifts associated with well-to-do churches or with charity groups run by the well heeled (Junior League) are more likely to have a higher concentration of better clothing.

 

[hobo]

Originally Posted by rnoldh

What area do you live in?
Houston TX

 

[AlanC]

I hear all the good stores are in Galveston...

 

[Vintage Gent]

Originally Posted by AlanC

I hear all the good stores are in Galveston...

Would that they were, Alan. Best thrifting I've ever done was in northern Delaware.

 

[pejsek]

Originally Posted by Vintage Gent

Would that they were, Alan. Best thrifting I've ever done was in northern Delaware.

Oooh, pray tell!

 

[cheapmutha]

i have alot of luck with independant stores... the chains seem to know what to look for. good pieces never make it to the floor. things associated with local charities will have better choices.

you just have to hunt and hunt to get good things at thrift stores.

 

[Vintage Gent]

Originally Posted by hobo

Houston TX

Christ, thrift stories are rampant in Houston. Multiple Goodwills, Sand Dollar, Salvation Army, Value Village. Scads of church run shops. Check out the Catholic Charities shop in the Montrose, the Memorial Area Ministries on Long Point and the Blue Bird Circle Shop on Alabama.

 

[DocHolliday]

I've found some good stuff at the Salvation Army, but I've had better luck at stores operated by specific charities patronized by the well heeled.

 

[Vintage Gent]

Originally Posted by pejsek

Oooh, pray tell!

Vintage a-go-go. That massive Salvation Army in Wilmington was absolutely incredible, and the Salvation Army in Newark was something of an undiscovered treasure. Keep in mind that this was 8-9 years ago.

 

[pejsek]

Thanks, Vintage Gent. No doubt to my wife's ever-lasting chagrin, when I visit a new place one of the very first things I want to do is scout out the thrifts. Looking at what people have discarded can really give you a feel for a place. And you never know what you might score. Hope springs eternal for a stop at one of those places where age, income, and a suitably laissez-faire approach on the part of the thrifts all come together to create a gold mine. I know they're still out there.
Your mention of the SA raises a good point. Specific charitable organizations (Junior League, Symphony, hospitals, schools, etc) often have, on the whole, nicer goods. For the casual thrifter, they're also easier to deal with since the selection tends to be limited and well-displayed. But some of my best finds have come from big grungy warehouses--like some of the SAs--where everything's simply sorted by color and put out on the floor by people who have no idea what they're dealing with. On most days, I'd have no trouble opting for a go at a couple of big unsorted bins at the GW over a polite look at some of the fine offerings at the American Cancer Society. Volume is your friend!

 

[hobo]

Originally Posted by Vintage Gent

Christ, thrift stories are rampant in Houston. Multiple Goodwills, Sand Dollar, Salvation Army, Value Village. Scads of church run shops. Check out the Catholic Charities shop in the Montrose, the Memorial Area Ministries on Long Point and the Blue Bird Circle Shop on Alabama.
I guess part of the problem is that there are so many different places and the city is so big. I think I'll check out the things in general areas of town at different times. And I'll be sure to hit the places you mentioned.

 

[Sid]

Speaking of Houston, I picked up up 2 ties (Norton Ditto & Hardy Amies) today for 1.49 each at the Salvation Army store on Washington....I may start to enjoy thrifting.