If you’ve ever gone thrifting before, you may know that Baltimore has great stores to offer. From large thrift chains to small, local consignment shops, any buyer is bound to find what they’re looking for.
Here’s a handful of the best thrift stores in or around Baltimore to help you find the perfect place to shop, or simply get a feel for their unique atmospheres.
Goodwill
When you think of thrift stores, Goodwill tends to be one of the first to come to mind. With several stores across Baltimore, there is likely a location for almost anyone.
Stepping into the Goodwill on 3101 Greenmount Ave, you will be greeted with a plethora of not only apparel, but also other items, such as CDs, DVDs, books, dishes, and toys. All of these are priced extremely well, with most basic clothing items being under $10. These items do, however, vary tremendously in quality.
While this store is likely to contain hidden gems, they can be a bit difficult to spot. If you are on the search for a specific item, this might not be the ideal place to shop, due to the disorganized racks and shelves in the store.
Overall, Goodwill is always worth a visit if you’re looking for a cheap and versatile place to shop.
Vogue Revisited
On a different end of the thrifting spectrum sits Vogue Revisited, located at 4002 Roland Avenue. When you walk into this store, you will be met with walls and shelves packed with clothing and accessories ranging from closet staples to bold statement pieces.
Vogue Revisited is a fun consignment shop full of unique finds, and while the prices are higher than those of most thrift stores, they aren’t terribly unreasonable.
The store’s interior is packed to the brim with clothing, and feels like a bit of a maze with all of its small rooms and aisles. In a couple of sections, there are beautiful jewelry displays, much of which is decently priced.
One room is also nearly full of what must be hundreds of pairs of shoes of all shapes and sizes. Once you step into Vogue Revisited, it can be hard to step out.
While this store isn’t particularly near the Baltimore School for the Arts (BSA), it is on the bus route of the 95. Convenient or not, Vogue Revisited is a guaranteed goldmine. It’s a fun place to visit when you get the chance.
The Zone
At some point, while walking around Mount Vernon, your eye has likely been caught by the neon sign reading “The Zone”.
The Zone is a vintage store at 813 N Charles St, packed with fun items including painted band tees, leather jackets, and funky sunglasses. The employees are kind, and the store is very cozy.
The prices are on the higher end, mostly $15-$20 and above for clothing items, although other smaller pieces, as well as some accessories, go for less than that. Considering its proximity to BSA, The Zone is an amazing place for students to check out!
Although some great thrift stores are located right in Baltimore City, and close to BSA, there are also some great stores located just outside of the city. Don’t let the distance deter you, because these next stores are excellent additions to your thrifting adventure.
Savers Thrift Superstore
A well-known thrift store chain located just outside of the city is Savers Thrift Superstore, located on 1925 E Joppa Road in Parkville. Savers is nothing less than a superstore, selling not only secondhand clothing but also furniture, shoes, accessories, household items, and much more.
When you walk into Savers, you’ll notice that there are signs pointing you in the direction of the item, like “Women,” “Men,” or “Bed & Bath.” Within the sections are many aisles presented according to the clothing style. Savers offers many different clothing types such as casual wear, athletic, dressy, and more.
At first glance, you’ll also notice that Savers does a good job of keeping everything presentable.
Pricing at Savers varies upon the item being bought. In terms of clothing, the prices are rather low, around $5-$10. However, depending on the original brand or quality of the item, the price can rise, while still being kept under a large decrease.
So, whether you’re searching for a new pair of jeans, a necklace, or a cool vintage tech item, Savers makes thrifting an enjoyable and budget-friendly experience for all.
Plato’s Closet
Last on the list is Plato’s Closet, another well-known thrift store that offers a plethora of brands and types of clothing along with shoes, jewelry, glasses, and other accessories that are all mostly aimed at teenagers and tweens.
When you enter the store, one of which is located at 1415 York Road in Timonium, you’ll feel the trendy-but-worn atmosphere.
You may have a bit of a hard time finding what you’re looking for due to a lack of signs pointing a customer towards an area, but you’ll soon understand the size of the layout. The small store is tucked away, located in a strip mall.
Surprisingly, there is a line of fitting rooms in the back. Due to the lack of space, most of the clothes are packed tightly, and some are displaced or damaged.
Plato’s Closet sells a variety of clothing types that will fit a buyer’s styles, from flashy tops to sporty wear. The store sells clothes from well-known brands, although the clothes found were a bit worn and not as presentable as the other stores.
The average price was around $15-$20, with lowest prices around $5, and highest around $30. There weren’t any sales happening at the time, either. Overall, Plato’s Closet is a great place to get decent prices and specific styles while shopping.
So, next time you’re looking for a vintage treasure, or just want to look around for a bargain on something trendy, head on down to a thrift store. Baltimore has some great stores to choose from that will let you curate your own personal style without breaking the bank.
To contact this writer, email Muse Newspaper at musebsa@bsfa.org.
Featured photos by Oscar Parada for The Muse.
