No wonder thrift shopping is so popular. You can get beautiful clothes, quality furniture, and vintage items at prices so low it seems like a steal. Plus, all of the profits go to worthy causes. Once you’ve booked your flights to Chicago, add these thrifty stores to your itinerary.
Mount Sinai Hospital Resale Shop on West Diversey Parkway
We can’t recommend this classy thrift store enough. Shoppers will find a ton of mid-century furniture, an entire wall of beautiful shoes and a wide selection of suits and ties for men. For those who prefer high-end items, this shop has a room just for designer treasures.
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Goodwill on West Washington Boulevard
If you’ve been to a Goodwill store before, you know what to expect. However, this shop is even better. We can easily say that it’s one of the best in Chicago. Whether you’re looking for a new pair of designer shoes or a comfortable couch, you can find it in this well-stocked Goodwill.
Unique (Several Locations)
There are several Unique stores in Chicago, but our favorite is on Halsted Street. Unique is part of an international chain that operates more than 300 stores, including Value Village. Mondays are crazy because clothing and other items are 50 percent off.
Encore on East Hyde Park Boulevard
If you are ever in Hyde Park or anywhere in Chicago, you have to stop by Encore. It’s the perfect destination for anyone who wears clothing. The shop has a good selection of name-brand apparel. Most wardrobe staples cost $10 or less. Encore is famous for its children’s department too.
RELATED: Take a break from the shopping and grab a bite at these cheap eats in Chicago!
Monarch Thrift Shop on North Milwaukee Avenue
Since Monarch Thrift opened in the fall of 2015, we have visited this store dozens of times. Unless you’re donating something, you won’t leave empty-handed. There’s a great selection of reasonably priced clothing, furniture, books and home goods. Proceeds go towards helping organizations serve vulnerable populations while providing employment opportunities to help reduce recidivism.
Village Discount Outlet Stores (Several Locations)
There are more than a dozen Village Discount Outlets (VDOs) in the greater Chicago area, but our favorites are the stores in Roscoe Village and on West 26th Street. The VDO shops offer an authentic thrift store experience where you’ll be rummaging to find choice items with the day’s discount tags.
Brown Elephant (Several Locations)
The Brown Elephant is affiliated with Howard Brown Health, which is an agency that offers social services and health care to the LGBTQ community. There are three locations in Andersonville, Oak Park and Lakeview. We think you’ll agree that the stores are not only stocked to the ceiling, but the workers are extremely kind. The Brown Elephant is our top pick for pre-loved furniture and vintage items.
Animal Care League 2nd Chance Shop on Harrison Street
If you’re an animal lover and a dedicated thrift store shopper, you’ll feel right at home in this charity shop. It’s the only store where you can hunt for upscale items at bargain prices while you meet Oak Park’s cutest adoptable cats.
Already booked your flights to Chicago? Let us know which thrift stores are your favorite when you visit in the comments below!
