Best Thrift Stores In Chicago

Seek Vintage 1433 W Chicago Ave

This inclusive LGBTQI+ friendly shop has a seriously quirky aesthetic that can be hit or miss, but when it is a hit, it is A HIT. You can find amazing treasures in here, such as a full length faux leopard print coat that is now my party coat or a sparkly one piece swimsuit for your next music festival look. The chatty and friendly owner makes the shopping experience feel personal.

Norwood Life Society Thrift Shop

About Norwood Life Society Second Hand Store in Chicago

Wear your heart on your sleeve with a purchase from Norwood Life Society Thrift Shop.

Yet another one of the best thrift shops in Chicago for those who like to give back, 100% of proceeds go towards resources and programs for local senior citizens.

The store is entirely volunteer-driven and contains an ever-changing selection of clothing, collectibles, housewares, artwork, books, and more.

Go on certain weeks and you might find a $1 footwear or pants sale.

Buffalo Exchange 1478 N Milwaukee Ave

Similar to Crossroads Trading but with a rough-around-the-edges vibe, Buffalo Exchange is my second favorite place for contemporary secondhand clothing in Chicago. Their Wicker Park shop is overwhelmingly crowded with people and merchandise, so the shopping experience can be stressful. But their prices are often better than Crossroads and you can find some unique off-beat items, like an overalls dress or blue suede cape jacket.

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Chicagos Best Thrift Stores

Chicagos best thrift stores. If youve never tried thrift store shopping its a great way to save money. With the people have been dumping off their junk for a few years now. After a long period of lock down with nothing to do Im sure people have dumped off more once the thrift stores reopened. Some stores are offering online shopping. Of course you should go with a list of things you need rather than just buying good deals. Thats just buying more junk you dont need. Please check websites for hours and restrictions before heading out.

Brown Elephant All stores closed due to the current surge in COVID-19 cases. Locations: Lakeview 3020 N. Lincoln Ave. 773.549.5943, Andersonville 5404 N. Clark St. 773.271.938, Oak Park 217 Harrison St. Oak Park, IL 60304 708.445.0612.

Buffalo Exchange Andersonville 5252 N. Clark Street and Wicker Park 1478 N. Milwaukee Ave

Crossroads Trading, Andersonville Lincoln Park 2711 N Clark St, 773-296-2438 and Wicker Park 1519 N Milwaukee Ave. 773-227-5300

Village Discount Outlet, 2043 W. Roscoe

Dovetail 1452 W Chicago Ave

Owned by a fellow cat loving lady, Dovetails motto is that You dont need more stuff. You need better stuff!. This charming store will equip you with better vintage clothing and home decor items. The owner/curator has a feminine mid-century aesthetic that I love. She finds incredible vintage jewelry that I think is unparalleled in the Chicago market. Many of her pieces are announced on Instagram first, so make sure that you follow her to get a sneak peek.

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What I Am Wearing To The Conferences

Well.this is just ONE of the outfits! So I had hopped into my local Unique/Value Village to try to find some conference wear and had found this long, beautiful dress for a whopping $14.00. Thats a little bit out of my price range for the thrift store . But since it was a 25% off day, I decided to get it.

Seriously, this iPhone pic does the dress NO JUSTICE! The colors are amazing, and hubby actually LIKED it! If I can impress him, I must be doing BIG THINGS

And since Im 510, I can rock a longer dress. Just wait until you see it in full color!

Anyhow, Im hoping to score some more deals at some of these Chicago and Atlanta thrift stores!

Anyone from the ATL or Windy City and can toss some suggestions my way, please leave a comment and let me know some great places to check out!

Greater Goods Community Thrift

About Greater Goods Community Thrift

Greater Goods Community Thrift is a clean, well-kept place to find quality items at impressive prices, meaning some of the best thrifting in Chicago for those on a budget.

These include vintage items, clothing, jewelry, housewares, toys, shoes, and more.

They value inclusivity, sustainability, community relationships, and justice. As a not-for-profit, all proceeds support Big Shoulders Church.

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Best Thrift Stores In Chicago According To Locals

The Windy City is a great place to shop!

But why not keep away from fast fashion and enjoy the sustainable pleasures of thrifting instead?

Chicago is a great place for it.

Wherever you look in the city from Irving Park Rd to Chicago Ave, to Belmont Ave to Oak Park, theres a vintage shop or thrift store for you and these are the best of them.

More People Than Ever Are Thrift Shopping What Are Their Options In Chicago

A thrifting expert and a thrift store manager weigh in.

A report from the online resale company ThredUp found that 93% of Americans are willing to buy their clothes secondhand up from 52% in 2016. As thrifting increases in popularity, Reset asked listeners to share their favorite spots around town.

We received expert advice from thrift shop connoisseur Ayana Contreras, director of content at WBEZs sister station Vocalo. When shes not uncovering vintage gems, Contrearas hosts a radio show called Reclaimed Soul, which is all about making the old new again. And Matt Talaga, a store manager of The Brown Elephant in Lakeview, shared his insight about why so many people are gravitating toward second-hand shops these days. You can listen to Resets full conversation with Contreras and Talaga clicking the red LISTEN button above.

Five thrift stores our listeners swear by:

Brown Elephant, locations in Lakeview, Andersonville and Oak Park Ive made numerous donations to Brown Elephant when I need to clear out my home, said Michael from Albany Park. Brown Elephant proceeds support Howard Brown Health, the largest LGBTQ health organization in the Midwest.

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Final Thoughts On Chicago Thrift Stores

Thrift shopping is so much fun and when you can do it in a place like Chicago, it’s even better. Many of the shops mentioned above are located in trendy areas where you will have the chance to explore local communities and support companies that are giving back.

And don’t forget you can always at an online thrift shop right from the comfy of your couch and if you have items hanging in your closets that you never wear, it might be time to sell those used clothes online!

What do you love about vintage shopping? And, did we leave anyone out? We’d love to hear from you!

If you found this post helpful, please help someone by sharing this article sharing is caring

Chicagos Best Second Hand Stores:

The top rated Second Hand Stores in Chicago, IL are:

• Monarch Thrift Shop offers their clients affordable yet quality items within the store.
• Family Thrift Store sells unique items that are not found in other thrift shops.
• Three Stars Resale Shop sis eager to offer its clients a comprehensive display of different furniture, jewelry, and many more.
• Unique. displays different second-hand items that come at meager prices.
• Mount Sinai Resale Shop showcases 6000 square feet of constantly changing women and childrens inventory.

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St Vincent De Paul Society Warehouse

Thrift Store· 1130 Carolina Dr. Unit D· West Chicago, IL

St. Vincent de Paul Society Warehouse is a Thrift Store located at 1130 Carolina Dr. Unit D, West Chicago in IL.

Family Shelter Service Resale Shops

Thrift Store· 1512 N Naper Blvd· Naperville, IL

Family Shelter Service Resale Shops is a Thrift Store located at 1512 N Naper Blvd, Naperville in IL.

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Chicagos Best Thrift Stores Suburbs

Crossroads Trading, 1730 Sherman Ave. Evanston, IL 60201 847-492-9400

Goodwill, 1521 Lee Street, Des Plaines, IL 60018 699-7019 Store and Hours Goodwill, 675 W. North Avenue ElmhurstIL60126 516-0319 Store and Hours Goodwill, 1916B Dempster Street Evanston, IL 60202 847) 905-1202 Store and Hours Hazel Crest Attended Donation Center 3401 W. 183rd Street Hazel Crest, IL 60429 708-647-8055 Store and Hours Goodwill, 3679 Ridge Rd, Lansing, IL 60438 474-4102 Store and Hours

Goodwill, 1900 Harlem Ave, North Riverside, IL 60546 442-3606 Store and Hours Goodwill, 7400 W 159th St, Orland Park, IL 60462 429-9030 Store and Hours Goodwill, 5518 W. Touhy Avenue, Skokie, IL 60067 745-5044 Store and Hours Goodwill, 3054 S. Wolf Road, Westchester, IL 60154 562-6166 Store and Hours

Knee Deep Vintage 1219 W 18th Street

This vintage clothing shop has been a strong presence on the Chicago scene for more than a decade, thanks to its amazing collection of affordably priced vintage clothing and accessories, predominantly ranging from 1970s 1990s. Their helpful and knowledgable staff can typically give you information about where your purchased items were sourced from.

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Where To Find The Best Thrift Stores In Chicago

Marie Kondo, her book “The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up,” and her Netflix series “Tidying Up” started a decluttering revolution, and Chicago was surely not immune to that trend: Block Club Chicago reported on the influx of stuff coming to the citys thrift storesa wave that can certainly be attributed to Kondos joyous, and thorough, approach to cleaning up at home.

Whether youre looking to unload clutter or find new treasures, Chicago neighborhoods are home to plenty of delightful thrift shops. Here’s the ones where you’ll find the best thrift shops, curated second-hand stores, vintage boutiques, and more.

El Dorado Thrift 2634 N Milwaukee Ave

Also in my former neighborhood, the recently opened El Dorado Thrift is located just across the street from the Logan Square Blue Line stop, making for a convenient shopping experience. The spacious shop offers affordable secondhand clothing with inclusive sizing and a good selection of shoes on the back wall.

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New Elephant Resale Shop

New Elephant Resale Shop sells clothing and accessories for men and women as well as home goods and housewares. They accept donations from the community and work with local estate sales.

For an additional fee, they also deliver larger item purchases. The charities they help fund are the Jesse White Tumbling Team and the Rotary Club One. Shop their new store location at 2325 N. Clark Street.

My Sisters Closet Resale

My Sisters Closet Resale showcases 6000 square feet of constantly changing women and childrens inventory. Moreover, they value transparency and honesty to give their clients a positive shopping experience. Also, their items come at meager prices, which is perfect for thrift shop enthusiasts. In addition, their place is well maintained and has even luxury designer brands that come in cheap pricing. Next, they provide womens jewelry that is perfect for customers who want a discount on jewelry. Finally, for a comprehensive variety of thrift shop items, this is the perfect shop.

Products/ Services:

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The Shudio 1152 18th Street

Part vintage shop, part plant store, I am obsessed with the SHUDIO in Pilsen because their excellently curated collection of on-trend vintage items always has something that I want to wear right now. I have gotten some perfect pieces like pink Levis denim or a velvet overcoat, and my SHUDIO finds always turn into some of my favorite buys. Their friendly staff has always been very cheerful and supportive of my style!

Mount Sinai Hospital Resale Shop

About Mount Sinai Hospital Resale Shopa Lincoln Park Thrift Store

Mount Sinai Resale Shop is about as close as you can get to thrift stores in downtown Chicago.

The shop is open 7 days a week, filled with friendly volunteers, and unique treasures and odds and ends.

Raising money for the hospitals patient care programs, bargain-hunters can expect to find a selection of gently used designer clothing, artwork, quality furniture, and household goods.

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Three Stars Resale Shop

About Three Stars Resale ShopOne of the Best Furniture Thrift Stores in Chicago

If were talkin cool thrift stores in Chicago, be sure to add Three Stars Resale Shop to the list.

Many would argue they should change their name to Five Stars because the prices are reasonable, the selection is impressive, and the shops building is really cool.

Specializing in antique home decor, furniture, kitchenware, and lighting, youll find an eclectic range from the 1960s to 1980s.

Paired with friendly staff and a fun showroom-style layout, youve got a thrifters dream.

Location: Logan Square

Lets Change Resale Shoppe

About Lets Changes Unique Thrift Store in Chicago

With sweet deals for the entire family, Lets Change Resale Shoppe is consistently recognized as one of the best thrift stores in Chicago suburbsHumboldt Park, to be exact.

They have new and gently used clothes, shoes, and accessories, as well as small furniture pieces, home decor, and vintage items.

You can feel extra good about your #thrifthaul because all donations and proceeds support humanitarian efforts through the organization Army of the Kind.

They support children-in-need in countries like Peru and Burkina Faso with clean water, nutrition, medicine, shelter, and more.

About Monarch Thrift Shop Chicago

Monarch Thrift Shop is one of the best thrift stores in Chicago for clothes for men and women .

Whether youre after everyday essentials, or something Luxe to spice up your wardrobe, theyve got what you need at low prices.

You can even peruse their selection online for a seamless secondhand shopping experience or if you dont have any plans to visit the City in a Garden.

Circular fashion aside, breaking cycles of homelessness is the main mission of this social enterprise thrift shop.

Through their RISE Up Retail Certification Program, they invest in youth experiencing homelessness, giving them the tools and experience they need to get a career in retail.

About Upscale Rummages Furniture Thrift Store Chicago

The Brown Elephants Cool Thrift Stores in Chicago

Some locations offer free HIV and STI screenings.

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Ideas For Thrift Shopping As Told By Chicago Readers

A customer at a Goodwill store in Arlington Heights. Photo: Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images

Last week, we asked about where you like to shop for your secondhand duds.

Arianna V.:“I love all of the Village Discount stores. Not only do they have great prices, but you can get lost in there for at least an hour because of the mass amount of items out on the floor.”

Lou C.: “The Brown Elephant stores, which benefit Howard Brown Health, are required stops. They have some amazing furniture our living room couch is a Crate & Barrel sectional I found at the Andersonville store.”

Karen M.:“Our first stop for children’s clothes each season is Gabriels Closet in Park Ridge. They have a great selection of premium kids brands.”

Bruce D.: “My favorite place to shop secondhand is at any of the 11 Habitat for Humanity ReStores in the Chicagoland area. They sell a surprising range of both used as well as new items, from furniture to building materials to appliances to paint to cleaning products.”

Kelly S.: “My favorite place for secondhand clothes is A Secret Closet in Lincoln Square. The clothes and shoes are from pricey brands, in excellent condition and lovingly curated by shop owner Carmen and her daughter.”

Pam G.:“My favorite secondhand store is My Sister’s Closet in Edgebrook. Friendly, family-owned business pre-COVID, the Super Bowl sale was legendary.”

Bonus: A Few Thrifting Tips

Whatre your favorite thrift stores in Chicago? What treasures have you found while thrifting? *comment below*

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Lost Girls Vintage 1947 W Chicago Ave

This women-of-color owned business is the SH*T. Their branding is spot on, their selection is always amazing, and their brick-and-mortar shop in Ukrainian Village is THE cutest place. It brings me so much joy to walk into their colorful store and find pieces that I fall in love with instantly. Make sure to follow them on social for a preview of all the amazing clothes you can find before even stepping foot into the store! If you cant visit their storefront, look for their mobile shop inside the colorful orange van named Winnie who frequents street festivals in Chicago.