My favorite thrift store is Black&Brown in downtown San Jose! They buy your clothes from you and only choose items that have either an urban, classy, or vintage look. They also sell bikes from time-to-time and feature local artists. Everything is neatly organized by color in the store too. My favorite thrift store find so far is probably my DKNY sneakers from Saver’s that I got for only $2! They were in mint condition too!
comment by jacquelyn — July 21, 2009

My favorite thrift store is called ANTHROPOLOGY in Chicago. They sell amazing, colorful cookware, artistic bed sheets, pillows, giant magnifying glasses ( you put a bunch of them together and they look amazing on a mantle), creative clothes, huge clocks, lamps, hemp belts, sunglasses, and bikes. One of my favorite finds from there were some amazing pea green pajama pants with unique desighns that look like they were drawn on with a pencil with lace fringe.
comment by Megan — July 21, 2009

My best find was this past weekend when I found a Jonathan Adler platter in MINT condition at a Brooklyn stoop sale for just $1.00!!!
comment by Sara — July 21, 2009

My favorite find is my mint-green coffee table that was $25 from the RoseBowl Flea Market. It’s been perfect for setting the look of every apt I’ve lived in since.
comment by Ann — July 21, 2009

All the trift stores in San Antonio, or near where I live I should say, aren’t very “cool”. They’re not like the thrift sotres you hear about where you find nice vintage clothes and one of a kind items. They just have broken furniture and lots of jeans (but every once in a while you can find some decent clothes). That’s why it’s so special when I do find things there. It’s actually pretty exciting, my favorite thrift store find was a purple lace Betsey Johnson dress. It was only 5.00! I wore on Halloween, it was really cool.
comment by Gina — July 21, 2009

http://envirogift.com/cart/images/uploads/forged_type.jpg I bought a type drawer like this one for $15. It’s perfect to hang on the wall and I’ve got it filled with little knick-knacks and pretty things I find around. It’s so pretty!
comment by Maggiemaemary — July 21, 2009

My fave find is a 1937 copy of Etiquette by Emily Post with such helpful advice as, “A girl may give a boy a photo of herself, but don’t sign it, because a name on a girl’s picture in a college man’s room is apt to challenge the sort of attention that every well-bred man hates.” Priceless.
comment by Brian — July 21, 2009

Aww, I love this one! My favorite flea market find is this BEAUTIFUL Toledo Damascene pendant I got at the Eastern Market flea market in DC — I bought it just because it’s beautiful, but people stop me all the time and ask me if I’ve been to Spain, because apparently all Damascene jewelry is handmade in Spain and is worth a lot. So cool.
comment by Emily — July 21, 2009

first of all, i love this blog and online store, and i got into the online blogging communities all because of you! check it out if you have time, my blog is http://yourfriendthebandit.blogspot.com you guys totally inspired me to just go out and do it, life’s too short and there are too many cute things out there to talk about! thanks for being the doorway into a community i absolutely love <3 ok, sappy stuff over with, i have so many awesome things that i’ve thrifted over the years that i love to death! my top top fave would have to be this little palm-sized bust of george washington, which is likely made of lead because it weighs about five pounds, haha i recently did a photography project invlving me carrying george (as i lovingly call him) around everywhere i went, photographing him and getting a lot of questions from passers by! i’m pretty sure he came from my favorite charity shop down the street from my house, where i find so much great stuff, from vintage typewriters and sewing machines to couches and end tables. everything is so good and so cheap! alright, enough rambling, thanks a bunch guys
comment by genevieve — July 22, 2009

My favorite thift store find would have to be my wedding dress. My absolutely gorgeous, absolutely cheap, homemade and scavenged wedding turned out amazingly with our minuscule budget of under 2k, but it would not have been the same without my glorious gown. We decided to make the thing, no one having any experience in crafting wedding attire, but hey! what was there to lose. I stumbled apon a dress at our local ARC, a bright white beaded nightmare, literally 8 sizes to big for me. Its one saving grace was that it had a big flouncy skirt, and I knew I needed a vintage princess dress. Our first break? The check out lady loved us, and had so much fun helping us sort through the hellish dresses that she slipped us 50% off on the dress, leaving it only $60. Amazing. Next came the debacle of transforming it to the wedding dress of my dreams. A dear friend of mine offered to undertake it, so we designed and she sewed. It turned out beautifully. the finished product
comment by Rachel — July 22, 2009

oops, sorry to leave to comments, but you should check out the before as well. XOXO scary-super-big-before-wedding-dress
comment by Rachel — July 22, 2009

I live in Toronto and right now we’re suffering through a month-long-and-counting garbage strike. Sure it literally stinks, but some positive things have come out of it too….like so many amazing yard sales! Since people can’t put their stuff out on the curb they just have amazing yard sales before they move! Not only have me and my friends found super cute clothes and stuff (hello white summer dress, leopard print shirt, chunky silver chain and stereo for 11 bucks!) but it’s also a really awesome way to hang out and chit chat with people in your neighbourhood on a beautiful (albeit stinky) summer day!
comment by Sonya — July 22, 2009

Ooh, how fun! One of my favorite finds is a box of vintage fabric - and they gave it to me for free! It’s like the gift that keeps on giving because there are tons of little pieces in there, and I find cute little uses for them all the time. I’ve used them as gift wrap, and made little appliques for t-shirts, etc.
comment by Stella — July 22, 2009

For me, there’s something magical about stumbling upon something unexpected and wonderful on the side of the road; in seeing something beautiful in an abandoned object. The best treasures always come along when you aren’t even looking. One of my favorite finds was a table base shaped like a bear cub on his back with his little legs up in the air! He looked so sad sitting by the trash cans (why would anyone want to get rid of him!?) so I stopped my car and adopted him. As I was driving away, I noticed a tapered wooden leg poking out of the trash can…of course I had to investigate. It was an original mid-century Hans Wegner chair! And aside from some unfortunate upholstery, it was in perfect condition! The Junk Gods were smiling on me that day. Both bear and chair are happy in their new home
comment by Matt — July 22, 2009

My best find was at a thrift store in Philly. I got a pair of 4″heeled red suede sandals. The best part about ‘em? They have bows on top!
comment by Vanessa — July 22, 2009

we don’t have any cool thrift stores around where i live, but we do have lots of garage/yard sales around the neighborhood! my next door neighbor were moving back to china so they sold just about ALL of their belongings! of course, i wasn’t going to miss that! i bought a hat box filled with frilly ribbons, laces, and little beaded flowers which i now use to adorn boxes of presents for friends and family on special occasions. it always makes me smile when i come across little objects like that which may serve a purpose when the occasion calls for it. there’s that sort of charm in gift giving when you take the time to decorate the package. the package is as important as it’s contents.
comment by mak — July 22, 2009

My favorite thrift shopping locations would be goodwill and garage sales. One of my favorite things that I’ve picked up was this huge black prom dress that looked like a mix of alexander mcqueen and jessica mclintock but wasn’t actually a name brand. I wore it through out highschool on various costume appropriate and inappropriate occasions. For example I wore it to the grocery store one day just for a gas. More than the deal I got on the dress I’ll remember the memories I made in it, and will have those to look back on long after the dress itself is gone.
comment by Mercy — July 22, 2009

My favorite find is definitely this fab chair I got for $60… I want to paint its frame and reupholster it in something fantastic but I need some ideas! I’m thinking really bright funky colors? Maybe velvet or something really graphic with a large print? Help!
comment by Macy — July 22, 2009

First off to Macy, why would you cover that chair!!? it’s perfect! my favorite thrifting places are goodwill. They help out people with disabilities, plus my two best-friends work there. I always find amazing deals on dishes, and the other day I even found a book that I had lent someone! so that’s probably my favorite find recently was a book that I thought was long gone from letting someone borrow and bam, there it is at my local goodwill! (and it was MY book, my name was in it and everything!) talk about destiny. I would love to have the book you’re giving away!!!! Pick me!? loves Kasey
comment by Kasey! — July 23, 2009

Well my absolute favorite thrift store is in Santa Monica called crossroads. its a block away from the 3rd street promenade so i can do all my shopping in one place. they have amazing brands for the cheapest prices! i found a free city t-shirt for only 7 dollars!! i don’t live in santa monica its about three hours away but i always make special trips just to go. I also go to my local salvation army and find the cutest shoes and i found a GREAT party dress i love it.
comment by Carly — July 24, 2009

I found the best off the street store, and it’s not even off the street. It’s an outlet to another store but it’s incredibly unknown. It’s filled with once expensive clothing that is all 60% off… ALL THE TIME! and NONE of it is used, I loved it there so much I ended up working there!
comment by Cassie S. — July 26, 2009

Thrifting is awesome! A few months ago I went to this little store in my hometown called the Olive Tree which is run by volunteers and all proceeds go to local charities. I go there all the time but this one time, I found a beautiful white wood jewelry box which is also a music box when you open the bottom drawer. It plays “My Favorite Things” (from the Sound of Music) and is lined with red velvet and detailed in gold. Absolutely my favorite possession, and I got it for TWO DOLLARS. How cool is that?
comment by Annam — July 27, 2009

My best find was a Royal 1945 manual typewriter in working condition for $5; i LOVE it! I can’t help but to love old typewriters and this one was such a steal! I got it from an antique store on the CT shoreline which is great to go to for interesting housewares and gifts.
comment by Carina — July 27, 2009

My boyfriend and I found these awesome, old-fashioned, wooden tennis rackets at a thrift store recently. Not only are we able to use them when we play, but we let them adorn our wall when not in use. I love when finding things that are both functional and decorative.
comment by Bonnie — July 27, 2009

i love thrift stores. whenever im on vacation i scout out the local stores to see which ones i should visit. one of my favorite finds is a necklace that i bought from an antique/thrift store in a super tiny town in georgia. it is extremely unique and very vintage. i get more compliments on that necklace than i do on anything else i own. another time, i bought an incredible chair from a garage sale, and was told that it was left over from the seller’s uncle’s 1960s ice cream parlor! its now sitting at my desk
comment by Haley — July 27, 2009

Oklahoma definitely has a lot of fun thrift stores to offer! My girlfriend Kasey and I both love to shop around and find vintage owls and stuff. We’ve currently stocked up on a ton of goodwill dishes for our new apartment! My favorite find is probably my bedside lamp though, I think it’s such a good one!
comment by Matthew — July 27, 2009

The Princeton Flea Market in WI…find it here: http://www.princetonwi.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=49 Tons of goodies and loads of people-watching - what more could you ask for?!? We found a rustic corner cabinet there that was priced over $100 - shutter door front, beveled star ornament on door, inside shelves (that now hold all our DVDs) - and we bartered down until $45…since it was wobbly. We just leveled the legs when we got home - we get compliment after compliment when people see it in our house.
comment by catherine s — July 27, 2009

My all time favorite thrift store is called Flower Child in Columbus, Ohio. Antique Louis Vuitton in the window display, awesome cheap, old, awesome sunglasses for under $10, and handbags, dresses, and scarves as well as antique electronics and accessories in the basement… HOW could you go wrong?!?! I never have! Plus, during Gallery Hop near Easter, they hire a bunny for pictures. That’s quite possible what I love the most! 2 floors of awesome thrifting.
comment by Shelby — July 27, 2009

hi! here in salt lake there are some really good consignment shops so if you ever have some free time they are definitely worth checking out. one of my favorites is abode paris flea market. i was able to get an awesome dining room table from there. it is white and has some great character to it, if ive done my research right its queen anne style. i absolutely love it. i have also found a ton of little knickknacks there that are great to decorate with and go w/ the shabby chic theme that is so fun. nothing better than finding great things you can use at local stores.
comment by victoria — July 27, 2009

I’m loving my collection of old teapots sooo cute and quirky and all a bargain yay!
comment by natasha — July 27, 2009

i would have to say my fav thrift store find is a pair of vintage owls that say “hoot” on one and “anne” on the other. get it?! hootanany!!! yep. its true! i got them at my fav thrift store- fans and stoves in 5 pts in jacksonville, fl for only five dollas!
comment by nicole — July 27, 2009

I bought this really beautiful claw footed desk and chair. the desk is so pretty and ornate, and the chair is a metal swivel chair that is carved and floral and beautiful! Its one of my favorite finds from a garage sale. the whole thing was $40!
comment by Maggiemaemary — July 27, 2009

i feel like i’ve been neglecting fred flare lately. for this is apologize greatly, but ive been busy this summer! and now i make my return! the best item i ever bought at a yard sale, thrift store, etc? gosh i’m not sure. i have this really cool hat from the 40s that i bought at Brimfield last year (brimfeild is a super ginormous yardsale here in mass that lasts all summer) and i love wearing it with my FF pink britney wig lol its grey and flat…its sort of, but not quite, a pillbox hat and it has a veil on it and it makes me feel old hollywood glamorous when i wear it!!
comment by cver — July 27, 2009

Oh I have had so many good thrift finds because my mom and I are very avid thrifters, but if I had to say my best find it would be from this store called Bishop’s Attic and one day they had a deal that you could get ten sweaters for a dollar. I got three really nice cashmere sweaters along with other in my pile and they have keep me nice and warm.
comment by Callie — July 27, 2009

Me and my friends Rae, Kimmey, Christy, and Christy’s boyfriend Joey were shopping at a Goodwill one day just for fun. It was amssive and we decided to try on the most ridiculous things we could find. And low and behold, we found a fully sequined/bedazzled/beaded cocktail dress from the 80s. It had this weird black tassle thing around the neck that made Kimmey look like Scar from The Lion King. Nevertheless, we took tons of pictures, and it was hilarious! Though this may not be the kind of entry you were looking for, it was QUITE the find. XD
comment by Haley — July 27, 2009

Hello friends! When I was 5, my mom and i were going garage-saling one Saturday. As we were rummaging through broken silverware and old sweaters, I found something that attracted my attention. At age 5, I had no idea what this contraption did or how old it was or why it was here, but I loved it immediately. It was a hundred-year-old sewing machine, and it was adroable. We bought it for $45 dollars, took it home, and sifted through its various drawers, finding old buttons, boxes, treads needles and buttons. It as accompanied my family during various moves and is the best thing I have ever purchased at a garage sale!
comment by kt mkaw — July 27, 2009

My favorite find ever is an adorable hat that I found at my favorite vintage store in Mass, Circa. It is a cloth black hat with a rounded top, a floppy brim, and the best part a large orange, brown, and black feather that is on the side. When paired with a pair of great sunglasses I feel like a fab movie star! The best part? It was only $10!
comment by Emma — July 28, 2009

My favorite (online) thrift store is marketpublique.com This is like an e-bay for vintage clothing and there are some GREAT finds on there
comment by Lisa — July 28, 2009

I live in Austin, and my favorite thrift store is Buffalo Exchange. Although I’ve never actually given anything to them from my closet, I don’t think I’d have the courage because they are very educated about style. But the wicked good thing is that I always find something there! They have really good stuff.
comment by Alexandra — July 28, 2009

My greatest find is a lavender prom dress that I found at a gigantic thrift outlet. It has a big princess-y tulle bottom and a lavender bodice with really pretty beading. The best part is that it was only 15 bucks!!
comment by littlebee — July 28, 2009

Growing up my mom always tried to make Christmas a magical time and one way she created our winter wonderland was through an Andy Williams tape. We listened to Andy William’s Merry Christmas tape nonstop from Thanksgiving till December 26th. She would always tell us how as a child she listened to Andy Williams and the good times she had experienced while listening to him. This tape became a favorite of all my siblings and I, we just wouldn’t be able to celebrate Christmas without it! So recently at a garage sale with my mother I found the Andy Williams Merry Christmas Vinyl Record. It was a shock and for $0.75 I scooped it up lovingly. I have since put the record in a frame so that I can display it proudly during the Holiday season and think of all the happy Christmas memories my mother has created for my family though this amazing album!
comment by Laura — July 28, 2009

4 years ago my friend and I split the cost of $60 for a pristine forest green Jamis Cruiser bike with a leather seat. We used it in Atlanta and then when I moved to Cape Cod I took it and it became my main source of transportation. Loves it.
comment by Max — July 28, 2009

i love hamlet vintage in greenwich village! amazinggg!
comment by Emily — July 29, 2009

My favorite thrift store is Vallue Village in Westland, MI. Maybe it is close to my heart because it was the first thrift store I ever entered. It was love at first sight!
comment by Jenni — July 29, 2009

AAAAAAAAAAHH is it too late? Is it too late? Anyways i’m from Washington and they have an awesome swap meet at the Everett Drive in. It’s a fun outdoors one, I’m always findin’ treasures!
comment by Jessy — July 30, 2009

This is so sad for me. My favorite thrift shop was Fairmont Antiques, which was in downtown Omaha, they had the best selection in clothes. I bought some jewelry and a ton of vintage scarfs. The best part was all the records they had. Some had the most random music. Sadly, they closed this past June due to the high rent and the economic downfall. It pained me so much to see them go. My bestie and I bought a tons of records. I even got the cutest little vintage hat before they closed their doors.
comment by Anna G — July 31, 2009

my favorite thifts is in montreal it is value village buts french village de value the stuff in there are for all decades really cute inexpenise that why i love it soo much find those crazy finds for low price i bought this coco chanel purse for like $ it 12 was so find that fell in love with store and purse
comment by lily — August 1, 2009

As one of the former owners of Fairmont Antiques it closed so it’s owners could retire and enjoy life. Refer to Anna G’s post on July 31st. It had Nothing to do with high rent since family owns the building and there was none.And sales were steady. Just like to keep the record straight. Not everything can be blamed on the economy!
comment by Owner of Fairmont — August 13, 2009