Shopping at local thrift stores is a wonderful way to reduce waste, refresh your wardrobe, and even replenish your wallet! Between countless racks of one-of-a-kind garments and shelves of vintage decor, you can revamp your style without breaking the bank. Here are our picks for the best Philly thrift stores!
1. Philly AIDS Thrift: Best Charitable Thrift Shop in Philadelphia
Location: 710 S 5th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
You can find: Two-stories worth of clothing, furniture, art & home decor
Buys clothing/accepts donations: Yes – donations of appliances, books, cars, CDs/records/tapes, clothing, shoes, accessories, DVDs/VHS, electronics & stereo equipment, furniture, home furnishings, jewelry, & sporting goods accepted
If scoring amazing pre-owned clothes & home goods while benefitting an incredible cause sounds like a dream come true, Philly AIDS is the store for you! The second-hand shop donates all of their proceeds to local organizations that dedicate their time and resources to the fight against HIV/AIDS.
In their recent round of special grants, the charity store contributed a total of $246,000 to 23 local associations, surpassing over three million dollars in total donations since their doors opened.
A South Street staple, Philly AIDS’s goal is to sell “lovely, useful, interesting, amusing, and sometimes mysterious items” paired with consistently impressive sales. Since the store anticipates generous donations daily, shoppers can expect monthly rotating color-coded discounts, as well as Dollar Bins & Dollar Racks containing clothing for all genders.
While Philly AIDS would earn a spot on our list of best Philly thrift stores for their incredibly generous mission alone, the range of products they carry is also some of the most impressive in town. Aside from funky clothes and accessories, visitors can discover fine china, quality artwork, premium furniture, state-of-the-art televisions and stereos, and unique knick-knacks!
2. Retrospect: Best Vintage Shop for Retro Style in Philly
Location: 508 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
You can find: Pre-owned retro clothing & accessories, plus small furnishings & household decor
Buys clothing/accepts donations: No
Retrospect is your one-stop shop for vintage finds from every major decade! Another South Street favorite since 2001, the shop’s goal is to bring the past to life and celebrate the wonders of retro design in the face of modern imitations. Offering everything from timeless fashion pieces to striking furniture and decor, customers can mimic their favorite moments in time with their thrift finds.
If you are from out of town and still want to experience the best of Philadelphia thrifting, you can even shop Retrospect’s collections on their Etsy and Depop.
3. Mesh Vintage: Best Woman-Owned Thrift Store in Philadelphia
Location: 1820 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148
You can find: Vintage clothing, shoes & accessories for men & women
Buys clothing/accepts donations: Yes, Mesh buys vintage by appointment only – details are available on their Instagram.
Though Mesh may be considered a “petite” thrift store compared to some of the other emporiums in town, you could still spend all day admiring their curated selections of 1920s-1980s vintage clothing and accessories.
Mesh is a one-woman-operated shop, offering carefully hand-selected threads with an emphasis on reasonable prices and premium quality. Spend a few minutes reading their reviews and you will quickly see that locals consistently rave about the shop’s cool aesthetic and kind owner.
4. Philly Vintage Bazaar: Best Thrift Shop in Queen Village
Location: 744 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
You can find: Vintage clothing, furniture, art & accessories, and handmade housewares
Buys clothing/accepts donations: No
Opening a little over a year ago in Queen Village, Philly Vintage Bazaar is a completely women-owned joint venture between three local vintage experts: Abby Codrea, Tacy Feldman, and Jen Zimmerman. Their emporium specializes in curated garments from the 1960s through the 1990s, as well as fabulous art and accessories, groovy mid-century furniture, and beyond!
A quick scroll of the ‘recent additions’ list on their site will take your breath away, with gorgeous Calvin Klein blouses, 80s sweaters with vibrant abstract patterns, and even a nostalgic Monkees sweatshirt circa 1967! You can shop online anytime or visit the store any day of the week.
5. Elektra Vintage: Best Thrift Store for Y2K Styles in Philly
Location: 53 N 3rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19106
You can find: Vintage clothing & accessories for men & women
Buys clothing/accepts donations: No
Elektra Vintage is simply bursting at the seams with Y2K treasures, with a collection of bedazzled low-rise jeans and a jaw-dropping Juice Couture series highlighted on their site. With a diverse range of items for any style, Elektra offers everything from women’s outerwear and lingerie to men’s graphic tees and sweatshirts.
The second-hand shop even has an entire page dedicated to vintage purses, featuring iconic, highly sought-after brands such as Prada and Coach. With so many affordable options, Elektra has options for everyone regardless of age or style, making it an obvious addition to our list of best thrift stores in Philly.
6. Circle Thrift: Best Thrift Shop for Bargains in Philly
Location: 2233 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
You can find: Used clothing, shoes, accessories, books & more
Buys clothing/accepts donations: Yes – donations accepted Tues-Sun 10 AM-4:30 PM
If your ideal afternoon is spent browsing for hidden gems at a killer bargain, Circle Thrift is a great spot to check out. Their layout is a bit less curated than other shops on this list, but they are hailed for their half-off deals and sprawling selection of garments. For people who love the “hunt” associated with thrifting, Circle Thrift is definitely worth a trip!
7. Something New Thrift Store: Best Family-Owned Thrift Store in Philadelphia
Location: 5248 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19139
You can find: Clothing, furniture, household items & knick-knacks.
Buys clothing/accepts donations: Yes – Something New accepts donations of new or gently-used clothing, clean furniture, household items, knick-knacks, and more!
Something New Thrift Store is a black-owned, women-owned shop that has offered West Philadelphia a selection of pre-loved clothing, furniture, and household items since 2011. Within the store, you can find all of the necessities to furnish a home in addition to garments, with cozy couches, spotless dining room sets, and even complete television setups.
The shop is managed by Yvonne, who worked in the corporate world for 25 years before opening the shop with the help of her husband and co-owner, Phillip. If their wholesome story and impressive collection of finds aren’t enough to convince you to stop in, they also hand out complimentary bread and danishes to visitors on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Monday of every month!
8. HomeSpun Resale Boutique: Best Thrift Store for Donations in Philly
Location: 1523 Fairmount Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130
You can find: Gently used clothing, shoes, and accessories
Buys clothing/accepts donations: Yes – HomeSpun accepts high-quality donations of men’s and women’s pieces, including coats, shoes, jewelry, scarves, hats, ties, gloves, and purses.
HomeSpun is another Philadelphia thrift shop staple that pairs second-hand treasures with a phenomenal cause. The resale boutique aims to empower individuals recovering from chronic homelessness with life-changing employment and job training opportunities.
Through an entirely self-funded retail business, this Project HOME organization works to break the cycle of poverty with each and every purchase. The social enterprise’s residents staff and manage the store, where they receive formal retail operations and customer service training, as well as wages from the shop’s earned income.
HomeSpun believes everyone deserves a second chance, just like the pre-loved pieces they offer in their store! When you shop or donate to the boutique, you can rest assured that you are not only helping the environment and saving money, but also changing lives and making a difference in the process.
9. Thunderbird Salvage: Best Thrift Shop for Furniture in Philly
Location: 2441 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
You can find: Music, home goods, furniture, clothing, and tech items
Buys clothing/accepts donations: No
From sleek mid-century modern hideaway entertainment cabinets to charming ceramic containers shaped like fresh-baked bread loaves, Thunderbird Salvage truly has it all. If you are in need of whimsical decor or exceptional antique furniture, we definitely recommend adding this to your list of shops to frequent.
You can check out all of Thunderbird’s discoveries on their Instagram, where they post multiple items daily for locals to claim. If you fall in love with a piece, the shop will happily hold it for a maximum of five days. Happy thrifting!
10. Heres2CoolStuff: Best Thrift Shop for Streetwear in Philadelphia
Location: 1214 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
You can find: Both new & used streetwear apparel (men’s/women’s)
Buys clothing/accepts donations: No
If you are in the market for trendy streetwear, Heres2CoolStuff has collections of curated items waiting for you. This vintage shop is black-owned and offers a plethora of new and recycled stylish threads at unbeatable prices. From colorful sweatsuits to minimalistic graphic tees, Heres2CoolStuff has everything you need to add some street fashion flair to your wardrobe.
While their name gives shoppers an idea of the overall vibe of the shop, a brief visit to their Instagram page proves that the shop owners have nailed the streetwear aesthetic down to a tee. Customers can shop online or visit the store Tues to Fri (2-7 PM) and Sat to Sun (1-7 PM).
11. Once Worn: Best Thrift Shop in Northern Liberties
Location: 906 N 2nd St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
You can find: Everything from designer handbags & vintage dresses to casual garments
Buys clothing/accepts donations: Yes – Once Worn buys items by appointment only, favoring brands such as Anthropologie, Free People, Urban Outfitters, and Madewell.
Once Worn nabbed a spot on our list of best Philly thrift stores for their incredible range of products and styles. No matter your budget, the consignment shop has pieces that will fit your specific style and wardrobe needs. From classy designer handbags to essential basics from popular chains, their inventory is updated daily to include garments and accessories for everyone.
Catering to all fashionistas of every age, the shop seeks to connect with the “hip, hipster, and everyone in between” in their Northern Liberties boutique. Check out their Instagram to shop their recent selections!
12. Bargain Thrift Center: Best Thrift Store for Families in Philly
Location: 5261 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19144
You can find: Second-hand clothing & footwear, furniture, kitchenware, & appliances
Buys clothing/accepts donations: Yes – Bargain Thrift Center accepts donations of gently used items
Classic household essentials, superb vintage clothing, rare collectibles, festive holiday decor- you name it! Bargain Thrift Center has been a fixture of the Germantown community since 1985, offering an expansive inventory of affordable recycled goods all day every day.
Tiny tots can pick out pre-loved books or toys to cherish, while adults can add vintage garments or jewelry pieces to their growing collections, making Bargain Thrift Center a fun adventure for every member of the family!
13. The Raxx Vintage Emporium: Best Thrift Shop for Accessories in Philadelphia
Location: 534 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
You can find: Carefully curated, eccentric vintage clothing from the 1950s to 2000s
Buys clothing/accepts donations: No
Vibrant rainbow suspenders, leather fringe capes dating back to the 1970s, and buckets-worth of faux gold chains only begin to describe the diverse selection at the Raxx Vintage Emporium. With 5,000 sq ft of vintage goodies waiting to be uncovered, visitors can completely transform their wardrobe in a single visit!
Whether you are looking for flashy statement pieces or laid-back casual attire, Raxx Vintage Emporium has a constant assortment of playful pieces bound to make anyone smile. The shop even has a handful of items available for shipping listed on their Depop for customers to claim at any time!
14. Urban Exchange: Best Thrift Shop for One-of-A-kind Pieces in Philadelphia
Location: 1868 Frankford Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19125
You can find: Vintage, handmade, and name-brand secondhand items, as well as accessories such as sunglasses, patches, and sterling silver rings
Buys clothing/accepts donations: No
Fishtown’s Urban Exchange is a 7,000 sq ft vintage, name-brand secondhand, and handmade clothing shop, frequented by locals for their fresh and funky finds. Between boundless racks of vintage t-shirts, hundreds of handpicked sterling silver rings, and one-off custom pieces from local independent artists, the store is heaven on earth for thrifting enthusiasts.
Be sure to follow their Instagram to stay up to date with new drops, watch behind-the-scenes shop updates, and even enter giveaways, often featuring vintage Philadelphia sports merch or gift cards!
15. Greene Street: Best Thrift Shop for Luxury Items in Philly
Locations:
700 South St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
8524 Germantown Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19118
You can find: New and gently used women’s seasonal clothing, shoes, & accessories
Buys clothing/accept donations: Yes, Greene Street accepts consignments and trades through appointments – more details available on their site
Green Street is a consignment chain that promotes conscious, sustainable second-hand shopping. Their locations offer Philadelphia locals and visitors alike premier pieces from the most exclusive brands such as Lilly Pulitzer, Lululemon, Birkenstock, and even high-end designers such as Louis Vitton, Balenciaga, and Chanel.
If you are in search of luxury pieces at prime prices, Greene Street is the place for you. Though you will likely spend more here than at other thrift shop options on this list, their selection of like-new pieces from trusted brands is unmatched. From Burberry tote bags to Canada Goose coats, you can find elegant essentials for every season and style!
16. Wayward Collection: Best Thrift Shop for Contemporary Styles in Philly
Location: 707 S 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19147
You can find: Quality vintage pieces from the late 1800s to 1990s
Buys clothing/accepts donations: Yes, Wayward Collection buys vintage attire – email for more information
Wayward Collection stands out from other popular Philly thrift spots for their emphasis on natural, luxury fibers and classic design. The contemporary styles on their site are nothing short of chic, with 1990s baroque-printed blazers and delicate Ralph Lauren floral silk scarves.
The shop even carries limited collections of event and bridal attire, such as elegant silk chiffon cocktail dresses from the 70s. Out-of-town vintage fanatics can browse Wayward Collection’s site, where they offer free shipping on domestic orders and new daily item drops at 10 AM EST.
17. The Wardrobe: Best Thrift Shop for Professional Attire in Philly
Location: 413 N 4th St, Philadelphia, PA 19123
You can find: Gently used clothing and accessories for all genders
Buys clothing/accepts donations: Yes, donations of new or gently used casual, professional, and dressy attire are welcomed in the shop. New and unused makeup or other personal care items are also accepted.
Formerly known as Career Wardrobe, this Old City nonprofit thrift shop is an inclusive safe space inspiring change through clothes. Passionately dedicated to eliminating clothing insecurity, The Wardrobe helps 5,000 people a year achieve their goals through second-hand clothing and personalized support.
While the shop is typically known for carrying professional clothing, they aim to outfit individuals of all gender identities and backgrounds for both work and everyday life. Originally established as The Working Wardrobe in 1995, the organization realizes that for many living in poverty, a wardrobe fit for a thriving job and personal life is a key step to economic stability.
If you visit The Wardrobe to donate or shop for personal items, there is no question that you will be welcomed with open arms. The store instills confidence in shoppers daily through the transformative power of clothing, enabling each patron to pursue their dreams fearlessly.
Whether you pick out a show-stopping vintage outfit or an antique armoire, you can save the planet and your hard-earned dollars by giving a pre-loved piece a new home. Share this list of the top Philly thrift stores with a friend you want to take on your next shopping trip!
- Best Bars in Philadelphia
- Best Spas in Philadelphia
- Top Bike Paths in Philly
- Best Brunch Spots in Philadelphia
- Best Hoagie Spots in Philly
- Best Pizza Places in Philly
- Best Cheesesteaks In Philly
