Chapel Hill, Durham, Fashion, Local Businesses, Nonprofits, Raleigh, Shopping
- September 2, 2008
Let’s go thrift shopping in the Triangle
I’ve been honing my thrift shopping skills since fourth grade, when I used to pick through the boxes of a corner store thrift shop in Chicago looking for something trendy that I could afford with money I earned from doing household chores and from our regular summer lemonade stands.
In high school, we had about 50 minutes to leave campus and scarf down lunch somewhere (because eating in the cafeteria at a school that opens its campus at lunch was so uncool). During my freshman year, when I had yet to make friends with anyone who could drive, my friends and I would occasionally walk to the Rescue Mission and Bargain Box to shop instead of eat.
So I was a little disappointed in myself when my best friend asked me where the good thrift shops were around here. I told her about my personal favorite, Thrift World in Durham (pictured above). In Raleigh, I’ve been to the Goodwill on Hargett Street and Cause for Paws on South Saunders Street.
As for vintage shops, I’ve been to Time after Time on Franklin Street in Chapel Hill. Dolly’s Vintage in Durham’s Brightleaf Square. And Vintage Nation (anyone know if this place still open, BTW? It has looked closed the past couple times I’ve passed by) and Father & Son Antiques. I would recommend all of these places in a heartbeat as they are reasonably priced and have eclectic selections.
(I snagged this 101 Dalmations dress at Vintage Nation for $20 earlier this summer).
There’s also Everything But Grannies Panties in Durham, which I haven’t been to in years. It’s not the best place to snag clothes, but if you’re looking for some awesome kitsch and aren’t clausterphobic, then go get lost inside (although maybe it’s not open anymore either).
So please help me beef up my Triangle thrift shopping skills. Tell me all the thrift shops I must visit and why (do they have crazy kitsch, cheap retro clothes, more modern, trendy stuff?). And let me know which ones aren’t worth my time.
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12 Responses to “Let’s go thrift shopping in the Triangle”
I hope they have an apostrophe after Grannies in their name if they are still open.
By John Martin on Sep 2, 2008
Classic Clothiers in Cary (Near the corner of Maynard and Kildaire) has really good quality modern clothes (a lot even have tags on them) and the people that work there are great! I’ve been going there since high school.
By Kathleen on Sep 2, 2008
Hi Ginny,
My sister LOVES Stuff on West Street. I consigned a dresser there and she likes to go in and shop the clothes. Usually pretty high-end stuff there’s much more availability in smaller rather than larger sizes. I’ve picked up some great things for around the house though!
Tracy
@tlneedham
By Tracy Needham on Sep 2, 2008
The Durham Rescue Mission’s Rescued Treasures store at 55 and Cornwallis seems pretty good. I’ve only been once so far, but I plan to go back.
I also like Abbygail’s Closet on Hillsborough St. in Raleigh. It’s pricier than most thrift stores, but they have good quality stuff.
By lisa b on Sep 2, 2008
I agree with Tracy that Stuff in downtown Raleigh is a great store. (However, it’s actually on W. Martin Street…the 300 block between Dawson and Commerce.) It’s got a great men’s section too…and you can get designer clothes for really low prices. (However, for the men’s selection, they tend to have more large sizes than small, for some unknown reason.)
I think there’s another shop near there…on W. Morgan Street next to Irregardless Cafe. I just can’t remember the name.
By RaleighRob on Sep 3, 2008
You mentioned Bargain Box at the top of your article… you do know about the one in Cameron Village, right?
I’ve lived a couple blocks away for a few years and didn’t know it existed until earlier this year. It’s a nice little find tucked away underground.
By John on Sep 3, 2008
These are helpful suggestions. I’ve been to Stuff before, and I definitely like looking at their clothes, but a lot of them seem to be smaller sizes.
@John As for Bargain Box in Cameron Village … I’ve been there once and was completely unimpressed with their selection. Maybe they have better men’s clothes than women’s.
@lisa b I definitely need to check out Abbygail’s Closet, someone else at work also just recommended it to me.
By ginny on Sep 3, 2008
Don’t forget the Children’s specialty Consignment stores. My two favorite are
Kid2Kid - Cary Crossroads
and
Children’s Orchard
Both in Cary. I prefer the first, my wife the 2nd.
-Jason
By JasonR on Sep 3, 2008
I don’t know how it “stands up”, but there is a PTA Thrift shop on the edge of Carrboro that is very large and has tons of stuff.
There’s also ReTails, whose proceeds go to spaying and neutering animals, in North Market Square in Raleigh (just past the meeting of Wake Forest/Falls of Neuse Rds).
By Kenny on Sep 6, 2008
Pennies for Change is a good place to shop (or so I’ve heard). I know they’re affiliated with the Durham Crisis Response Center.
By allen on Sep 6, 2008
Ilina from dirt & noise sent me over here —
I think the goodwill on hargett is the best for stylish adult clothes… there is another goodwill in north market square (across from retails, mentioned by pp) that is great, and two more right off hwy 70. One’s near the target up on lynn road, another is out at brier creek.
Don’t dismiss the bargain box based on just one visit! It’s totally one of those places that can be crappy 3 times in a row, then you find 10 things the next time you go in.
By katesona on Sep 15, 2008
Rescued Treasures in Durham has a great selection and prices!!! Every morning Monday through Friday they have an early bird special all cloth-n
ing is buy 1 get one free!!!! Clothing is individually sized so it is
easy to find what you are looking for. It all goes to benefit a
wonderful charity!!! They are also always looking for volunteers. Check out the web site for more info
By rich carr on Nov 13, 2008