In an era of fast fashion, rising retail prices, and supply chain stagnation, thrifting is making a dramatic comeback. Whether you’re looking for some old-school threads, costume shopping, or hunting for home decor, thrifting in Philly is a great way to find vintage treasures for less. No matter where you are in the city, you are bound to stumble upon at least one thrift store. However, not all thrift stores are created equally. That’s why we created this list of our favorite thrift stores in Philly.
Philly AIDS Thrift
Ask any local for thrift store recommendations and Philly AIDS is sure to be in their top five. Not only is this Philadelphia thrift store on the larger side with two floors chock full of goods, but Philly AIDS also donates all of its proceeds to local organizations involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS. They host dance parties, bake sales, and block parties to celebrate and raise even more money for the community.
This Queen Village stop has something for everyone, including living room furniture, used clothing, kitchenware, and jewelry. It’s easy to spend a whole afternoon perusing the decorations, massive selection of books, and more. The location even has a dollar bucket with a mix of clothing, shoes, and accessories all for—you guessed it—a dollar!
Retrospect Vintage
If you are searching for a more curated experience, Retrospect Vintage on South Street is a great place to look. Owned by Goodwill, the merchandise here is the cream of the crop of charitable donations, so the prices here are a bit higher.
When you walk through the door, you will notice that each rack of clothing and display of homewares is color-coded. The employees at Retrospect tailor every detail in the store to its customers’ tastes, indulging shoppers in stunning, vintage looks and old-fashioned, custom glassware.
If you’re looking to score a deal, visit on Sunday when lots of marked down items are further discounted to just $5 (or $1 for housewares). College students also get a 15% off student discount on Thursdays.
Thunderbird Salvage
When you hear the word “salvage,” you may think of a scrapyard or you may think of Fishtown gem Thunderbird Salvage. Run out of an old church, scrapyard vibes are definitely present but within the store’s four walls, a treasure trove awaits. A picker’s paradise of tchotchkes galore, you’ll find everything from Ouija boards and vintage Phillies gear to mirrors, rugs, and a great collection of furniture.
If you have an Instagram account, you can even virtually claim items ahead of time and pick them up in-store. They post numerous unique items daily.
Jinxed
With three locations, Jinxed has made a name for itself in the Philly thrift store scene. Each shop offers unique, vintage furniture, home decor, t-shirts, and more. Every day, Jinxed shares Instagram posts of various vintage items with detailed descriptions about how to claim them. If you are looking to snag something this way, make sure to set up post notifications–most Jinxed items sell within two days if not two minutes!
Circle Thrift
If saving money is at the top of your agenda, Circle Thrift is a prime spot to score some secondhand goods without breaking the bank. While you may have to do a little digging to strike gold, there is a bounty of brand-name items going for $5 or less. They also have a killer book section! If you are patient and love a good bargain, stop into Circle.
The Salvation Army Family Store & Donation Center
Any seasoned thrifter is no stranger to the Salvation Army organization. On top of offering a large store with miles of diamonds in the rough, the proceeds from each donation center go to fund Adult Rehabilitation Centers. The Roxborough location is known by locals to offer the creme de la creme when it comes to used clothing and furniture. Items have a range of colored tags, and different colors periodically go on sale for an extra 50% off.
The Second Mile Center
A solid mix of clothing and top-notch housewares, Second Mile is a mainstay of the University City neighborhood, offering great deals to students and other residents.
Like many other heavily discounted thrift stores, the selection at Second Mile can be hit or miss and involve a bit of hunting, but when you find a gem for $3, it all feels worth it. They have changing rooms, too, so you can make sure you love something before you buy.
If digging isn’t your thing, this probably isn’t the place for you, but bargain hunters certainly must make this a stop on their lists. The shop has frequent, massive sales, especially in conjunction with holidays and Eagles games. They’ll also deliver furniture if you live on the first floor or have an elevator in your building.
2nd Ave Thrift Superstore
A mecca for Philly thrifters, 2nd Ave Thrift calls itself a superstore, and the name is quite appropriate as far as we’re concerned. Their store in the Northeast at Franklin Mills has endless aisles of gems and a huge parking lot, so it’s easy to get in and out. In addition to lots of clothes, there are housewares, decorations, books, and the largest selection of toys we’ve found.
Junior League Thrift Shop
A Philly-adjacent competitor! The Junior League Thrift Shop is less than 30 minutes outside of Philly in Ardmore, and it is worth the trip. The shop relies heavily on donations from members of the Junior League, so it offers many higher end brands in the thrift shop area and in the consignment section. (I have spent countless hours volunteering here, so I know the merchandise fairly well.)
The Junior League keeps a well-organized store–complete with changing rooms–for customers to easily peruse. While the thrift shop may be a little pricier than some of the other spots on our list, the quality of the goods closes any price gaps. As a bonus, the proceeds go toward funding the League’s extensive charitable projects.