Some of my favorite secondhand items include our dining room chandelier, table, and rug. The first two were from antique malls, the later off Craigslist.
*This series is sponsored by CommunityAmerica Credit Union. CommunityAmerica believes a big aspect of financial security is living within your means to fund your dreams, and I was thrilled when they wanted to partner up to share my love of thrifting. All thoughts and opinions in this series are my own.
Just seeing the series? Start here.
Wow, I absolutely loved reading each and every comment from last weeks post. You all are so kind and inspiring to me! I get asked almost daily “can you tell me the best thrift/antique stores in Kansas City? My answer is always no, and it’s not because I don’t want to share my secrets. The reality is, I really haven’t found a good or bad store. All of them are consistently inconsistent. The best thrifting comes with YOU being consistent. A store doesn’t decide what items they have, people donating do. I do think there can be some strategy to thrifting in areas with people who have style you admire, but when it comes to chain stores, they often send all donations to a center that redistributes between all stores.
How do I thrift? If I’m close to home I know the stores around me. If I’m in a new area of the city (or state, or country) I use Google Maps. I just type “thrift store” or “antiques” into the search and start going. You can move the map around and click “search this area” under the search bar. I do this a lot when I’m running an errand in a new area and heading home, that way I can stop along the way.
I found this desk at Red Racks for $35. Micah painted it, and we updated the hardware.
Thrift stores: Thrift stores are secondhand shops that are giving part of their proceeds to charity. Typically the items in the store have all been donated, but I’ve found that’s not always the case anymore. There are several shops that buy pieces from estate sale companies (or estate sale companies that have thrift stops) and try to turn them for a profit. This unfortunately drives up the price considerably. I love thrift stores and will shop at practically any and all of them, but different stores provide different drives to go there. Chain stores like Red Racks and Goodwill are typically overpriced. They have 50% off sales and their prices are often only reasonable at the sale price. These stores don’t give nearly as much to the community you’re in and have the “big business” end of things that comes with C.E.O.s and lots of white collar employees that your purchase has to pay for. The upside is that the store is usually large and the inventory is pretty good. These stores have distribution centers, so oftentimes donated items are dispersed evenly throughout the area – meaning you can’t pinpoint a store that’s better than another.
I try to shop at local thrift stores when I can, and try even harder to donate to them exclusively. Your local thrift store is often giving back a considerable amount more of their profits they have less overhead and actually helping people directly in your community. If you’re in Kansas City, I recommend Hillcrest and Frugal’s. Both of these are local charities, run by volunteers who are doing all they can to help local people in need. Hillcrest funds transitional housing. Frugal’s has a diaper and food bank and specifically assists women, orphans, and widows in our community. If someone comes in needing a coat, they’ll give it to them. They’re not out to profit, and they don’t have corporate rules to follow. I really recommend supporting local stores and learning more about what they do in your community!
Milly’s desk was a secondhand console table. My dad shortened the legs and we had it sprayed the same color as the walls.
Antique stores/malls: Because thrift store prices have seen a considerable hike in the last few years, I often head to antique malls when I really need something great. In my experience, most antique stores are very expensive and most antique malls where there are booths and individual sellers can be very reasonable – sometimes as cheap as thrifting. Next week we’ll be talking about how to shop, and strategy is a big part of making this a good experience. The positive to an antique mall over the thrift store is these are items that someone else has already done the true digging for. These people spend their days combing thrift stores and weekends hitting up garage sales so they can find treasures and resell. I’ve found that many of them do it because they’re passionate about the hunt but don’t have room for all of the things and/or need a little extra income to support their habit. Ha. Usually they’re not out to make a ton of money, and the time you can save when looking for something specific is worth a few extra dollars.
Xander’s art wall is filled with pieces from thrift stores, Craigslist finds, and some pieces we made ourselves too.
Estate Sales: I LOVE estate sales and feel passionate about going to them when I can you can read why here. Estate sales are put on in people’s homes by companies in an effort to lighten the load of stuff when someone can no longer take care of it. The popularity of them has grown significantly. I typically only go to estate sales I happen upon. But if you have the time and ability you can put forth some good effort and come out big. People who frequent estate sales tend to be very aggressive and strategic. This isn’t a bad thing, but I’m just not in a season of life three kids, a puppy, you know… that allows me to play the game. And I also have mixed feelings about how they can be run. We’ll talk about that next time too.
My $10 pink sink from a ReStore and an illustration from an antique mall.
Pawn shops: I’m just throwing this one on here, because if I don’t I fear someone will say “what about Pawn shops?!” I have personally not had any great luck with them. They tend to be filled with jewelry, guns, and old TVs – none of which I’m that into. If anyone loves hitting these stores up I’d love to be enlightened!
Some estate sale finds. I think of the special lady whom they came from every time I use them!
Garage Sales: Garage/yard sales are so wholesome, aren’t they? People put out a bunch of things they don’t even want to sell on Craigslist, and usually by the end of the day they’re begging you to take things, practically offering to pay you! This has definitely been me. Garage sales are another avenue that has me slamming the breaks and doing a slow roll by to see if I can spot anything special, but not something I search out because they’re so hit and miss and my season of life doesn’t allow for them consistently.
I scored this huge mirror on Facebook Marketplace.
Craigslist + Facebook Marketplace: I’m lumping these together because they feel one in the same at this point. When you’re looking for something specific especially furniture these are the first places I look. And the convenience of Facebook Marketplace I can check it on my phone anytime I have a second is great for anyone with a busy life.
The blue vase was a thrift store score and the convex mirror was an antique mall purchase.
Consignment Shops: If I need a piece of furniture and haven’t found anything on the above mentioned, I’ll head to a consignment store. I’ve had great luck finding chairs, desks, and tables. The pieces are usually in good shape and the prices are often comparable to the overpriced, thrift store furniture prices.
I scored this pair of chairs at a consignment shop a few years ago for $70, and they’re still one of my favorites.
eBay, Chairish, Etsy, and EBTH: I really prefer the hunt in person, but if you’re really looking for something specific and have struck out locally, I recommend checking out these sites. Sometimes the time and gas you save not driving to 5 stores in hopes of finding that pair of silver candlesticks is worth the $20 more you’ll spend on one of these sites.
Virtually everything here was found at a thrift store or antique mall. The silver peanut was something I bought to sell, but then couldn’t seem to let go of.
Other Apps: There are always new and exciting apps designed to help you buy secondhand in your area. On my phone I currently have Letgo, OfferUp, and VarageSale. I honestly don’t check these much, but have had good luck selling on them in the past. I think the key is being on ones that are the most popular for your part of town. The more activity, the more likely you are to find something special.
I know I didn’t mention auctions it’s something I’ve never been to but let me know if I missed something! I mentioned that thrifting takes consistency, and I believe that all of these avenues of second-hand shopping do. Next week I’ll talk about how to thrift. Because like any sort of gift/profession/passion/hobby, the more you put in, the more you get out.
In case you missed the first week, be sure to check it out here. Here is part three.
Join Thrift Club for $35/year and follow along on on my private Instagram account; also, join the 1000s of members in the thrifting community on The Thrift Club Facebook Group and Market!
A big thanks, again, to CommunityAmerica Credit Union for sponsoring the Thrift Like The Makerista series…
Affiliate links used.
LET’S CONNECT! FIND ME ON…
Morgan Harris says
I live in a super small town in the mountains of NC. Downtown, there is the coolest antique store that has compiled items from folks all over our region. Not only does it have great finds, but the history that’s held within that store excites me every time. I like to think about the story behind each item, and imagine what “the good ol days must’ve been like”!
Brittany says
I have not had good luck at thrift stores but have hit big at flea markets, estate sales, and consignment stores. I too feel antique stores are extremely expensive but can be worth it if you need some thing super specific / special. I am also a huge eBay fan. HUGE. So nice to have notifications when people post specific things (saved searches) great for China, art, glassware etc.
Fingers crossed and I am loving this series!
Mandy says
I like the Salvation Army and small twown antique shops.one of my best favorite antique shops is in Geeenfield, Mo!
Mandy says
Sorry for the typos! My phone was doing crazy things.
Connor says
My favorite place to find treasures is definitely Facebook Marketplace! It feels safe and convenient and I find that people often don’t realize what they have which means great deals. Like you said, it’s easy to find specific things also!
Adina Wiebe says
My favs would be antique malls & hitting up thrift stor e where ever I am 🙂 love the pieces your giving away. Such great finds !!
Heather Chute says
FB Marketplace is my current fave, because of the convenience. It’s like the Amazon of thrifting. 😬
Alene Conner says
You’re spaces are so inspiring!!! My favorite plcss fo thrift are the local church run thrift stores, I have a couple that are my go to’s. Like you, so much of my home is thrifted and it brings me so much satisfaction!
Thanks for sharing all of your amazing-ness! 💖
Alene Conner says
And excuse the lame typos- haha! 🙈
Tricia says
I like a consignment shop in my area for second hand finds. After reading your post I want to find some local thrift stores that benefit my community!
Serena says
Salvation Army and estate sales! But pretty much anywhere – small towns have some of the best places.
Noreen says
I don’t have much time so I like this local curated shop in a small town near me open only once a month. Also our local estate sale company posts their sales on their website sometimes weeks head of time so I can plan ahead…also always half price the second day (my favorite!)
Jennifer says
Savers and Facebook Market are my go tos for thrifting.
Amanda Goldey says
For me I definitely love estate sales! The idea that you can go to someone’s home and take home a piece of something they worked hard for! I also love goodwill, and shopgoodwill.com!!! That way I can get stuff from all over the world, not just my neck of the woods!! #thrifton
Blair says
I’ve had great lucky at habitat for humanity stores for small decorative pieces and antique malls for furniture.
Cory says
West Bottoms! Always fun to visit all of the KC vintage booths from so many vendors.
Polly says
I am a raised country girl now JoCo mom. A good farm sale, if there are no dealers there, is great. Almost always find neat things at great prices.
Christa Rotolo says
I like Habitat Restore
Suzanne Kryton says
I love antique malls and kijiji (Canadian Craigslist)!
Selena says
i dont know what its called. but theres a strip of antique stores off of westheimer and dunvale in houston tx. they have awsum pieces of furniture, a few shops down clothes and then a shop or 2 down from that pictures, and anything u would ever need in a house. oo also BOOKS BOOKS AND BOOKS!
iLOVE it there. its def not cheap:/ but beautiful pieces u can talk them down a little bit. but my fav pieces have came from there. also, i REALLY LIKE getting pieces from the side of the road. lol my husband HATES when i do it, but i dont care lol we Have beautiful pieces our neighbor had put out, i went and talked to her and she gave them to me hahah! my husband died. lol. the only thing wrong with it was the 2 bottom drawers needed fixed.
Vivian Foster says
I love Hillcrest and Restore. I almost always find some treasure!
Angela Longhurst says
When the university students move away for the summer is the best place to find FREE , really good stuff! They throw away furniture and clothing, it’s a good time to hit the alleyways.
Rebecca Vipperman says
Lincoln City, OR has some amazing antique shops that I used to be able to visit pretty frequently- since moving away I’ve discovered Deseret Industries. You’re right, it’s all about consistency!
Erica says
My favorite place is estate sales!
Jenni Valentino says
I love the Mission Antique Mall ❤️
Rebecca says
I love Leeward Light thrift in Salisbury, Ma. They donate all profits to local charities. When we moved I donated exclusively to them. Unfortunately, since we moved I haven’t found a local thrift yet. Though in my new town, the dump has a ‘leave and take’ section where everything is FREE. Lots of junk but I’m convinced I’ll find a treasure there yet!
Shelby Fisher says
I love going to thrift shops when I travel. My husband thinks it is strange, but I like to see the kinds of things people are getting rid of in different parts of the country.
Chris says
When I lived in Lee’s Summit, my faves were the John Knox Village Thrift and the LS Community thrift store in old downtown. Family thrift was awesome until RR bought it, but even then I thought the selection was great. Still looking for my groove here in Ohio, but I’ve had good luck on FB marketplace.
Pamela says
In our last city we lived on a small dead end street in an upscale neighborhood where there was a courtesy that all the neighbors abided by. Since there were regular pickers that would troll the area to pick over the trash in the evening before trash pick up we all set out our cast offs on the curb in the afternoon to give the neighbors first dibs! I can’t tell you how many times my husband brought home amazing finds like a rock fountain or huge planters or chairs. Once I passed up a set of large wood and glass lanterns because a bubblebath sounded more inviting. Well, a few minutes into the soak I had to get out of the tub and go back for those lanterns! LOL All the neighbors enjoyed visiting each other’s homes and find something of theirs from the curb. Our new city is like the mecca of consignment stores but one of my favorites is the church thrift store. Really nice pieces and very inexpensive.
Niki C. says
I love moving sales! I got a practically brand new velvet couch last week for $50 because they were desperate to not have to move it. Nothing drops prices like not wanting to move something One. more. Time.
Morgan Harris says
I live in a super small town in the mountains of NC. Downtown, there is an antique store full of old treasures and beautiful home wares. I love to go visit, take my time, and just enjoy everything I find. It’s nice to think about where each piece might’ve came from and imagine what it went through before making it to this store.
Susan Davis says
After many years of doing everything you mentioned–“shopping” curbs on trash day to scouring small town antique malls, I now shop my garage! I love “recycling” my own ‘old’ stuff!
Ginny Sevier says
I love checking out estate sales when I have the time. One of my favorite things to look for at estate sales is vintage linens like, napkins, tablecloths, embroidered hand towels. They’re often overlooked and therefore usually very inexpensive. Some of my favorite cloth napkins have come from estate sales. And I also love going to our local Salvation Army, Habitat ReStore, and a local antique shop and shopping the individual booths. 🙂
Libbi says
Craigslist seems to be the easiest for me, haven’t had much luck on FB Marketplace, and I don’t have a ton of time to check out all the consignment and thrift stores. I’ve furnished three apartments with almost all CL finds!
Karen Miller says
I like finding second hand treasures on Ebay, Etsy and at my local thrift stores.
Falohn Swanson says
I drive around a lot for work. Rural areas have the cutest little shops and thrift stores. I almost bought some pieces as above for our dining room at Brass Armadillo. So pretty!
Leah says
I also love “shopping” the neighborhood curbs. We have a great thrift store in town that supports a local charity that I pop into when I have a chance. It definitely comes down to luck though, some of my best finds have been pieces that they are literally unloading as I walk into the store!
Pamela says
The hubs and I enjoy going to estate sales. As we enter, we’ll split up and I find myself getting texts and/or photos, with a “what do you think about this?”
Rachel says
ReStore. When I first moved to my city (Pittsburgh), there was a giant ReStore about 5 minutes away, in the strip mall where my grocery store is. I popped in there one day, and….love.
That location got a ton of items from hotels, or restaurants, or even old dorm furniture, plus the usual donations, so there were often extremely sturdy, but worn, items.
They ended up downsizing to a much smaller location, so they no longer have rows upon rows of furniture.
But I have purchased:
5 dining room chairs for $45 (that actually included a table that I paid for but immediately donated back because I didn’t need a table, and I was more than happy to pay $45 for 5 sturdy chairs) that I repainted and then recovered the seat cushions.
An old buffet/sideboard on wheels for $50 that I painted and turned into a TV stand that we can angle when we need to, and then push flush against the wall and out of the way when we don’t need it.
A 1930s walnut veneer dresser with mirror for $30 that I just lightly sanded and then used tung oil on. It’s still a little rough looking, but it’s incredibly sturdy. I do have to get hardware for the drawers still.
An old college dorm dresser for $30. It is very sturdy, and very heavy. I’m painting it right now, and it’s almost done. This thing is a beast, with wide, deep drawers and recessed drawer pulls.
Two lamps (just two days ago!) and a lamp shade for $25. They’re mid century, and brass, and they’re both very handsome. One is a floor lamp with attached side table, but I have a weird thing for floor lamps with attached side tables. I’ve always adored them, even though they’re kind of odd.
So yeah, I find that the restore has the best prices on solid stuff that needs a little work.
Joanna says
My favourite is the Salvation Army. I donate at the back door and shop through the front, that way giving twice. The proceeds go to our community. I’ve found many things at a good price here and it’s on my way home. I sell bigger items on Kijiji or Craigslist.
My daughter recently saw a beautiful, antique bureau by the curb. Free! She took it home, painted it a light grey and it sits in her living room. I only wish I had seen it first.😉
megan young says
consignment shops and garage sales
Carlotta says
Craigslist and EBTH are the main ones for me. I don’t usually have a lot of time to search in stores, though whenI get a chance I love it. FYI there is identical dog letter holder up on EBTH right now to the one you gave away in your last contest.
E Aelterman says
I had the best luck with nursery furniture at Goodwill when my kids were little. Since then, Facebook Marketplace is my go-to.
Motivated by your post, I will have to check out estate sales in my area. 🙂
Polly says
My favorite place to look for treasures is at an area antique Mall. I also have been to a few auctions! So exciting!
Laurie says
I try to pop into my local Goodwill when I can, and also hit up Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist on the regular.
Haydn Thomas says
My favorites are Craigslist and Facebook market. There’s nothing like the ease of being able to thrift from the comfort of your own home!
Cindy says
My favorite place lately is Goodwill. I happened to find a very minimalistic piece of artwork of a unicorn (lol) there recently that brought me a crazy amount of joy. Antique shops are great too if I have the time.
Vanessa Davalos says
I enjoy going to the Goodwill on Thursday because everything labeled the color of the week is $1, the swapmeet on Wednesday because they mainly have antiques, and finally, Saturday mornings at a thrift store in Montclair California because they have books, antiques and so much more at an additional 30-50% off. It’s amazing!! There are few things that feel as good as finding something used, beautiful, and for a great price.
I love your blog, by the way. It is always so inspiring.
Sadie Almand says
I have always loved estate sales! I’m so glad you mentioned them because, to me, they seemed so intimidating going into someone else’s home and going over their things. Yet at the same time I love having the story of why an item was bought or where it came from! And with estate sales you usually will get more info on you’re purchase! Also, FB market place! Who knew! I have become almost addicted to it! It’s so handy and I have found some of my best items there!
veronica says
my favorite place to find treasures is the flea market!!! I love waking up early, making myself a cup of coffee, and mentally preparing myself for the adventure that awaits. I love that flea markets give you the casual opportunity to look through people’s treasures and not feel obligated to buy something. you get to meet so many friendly people and get some vitamin d while browsing- what else is better?!
Jennifer M. says
My absolute favorite way to buy second hand is at antique auctions. It’s thrilling! Second to that, I love antique malls and local thrift stores.
Lynn says
My favorite source lately has been Facebook Marketplace. I love that I can take a break and check it on my phone and that you can have notifications sent to you when something you are looking for gets listed. That being said, I must say that the new Restore that opened five minutes from my house is awesome too!
Shawna says
Love your style….
Leslie says
I love this post. This may be a silly question, but when buying furniture like the two chairs you mentioned, how do you clean them before using them?