Best Thrift Shops in Richmond

Shopping has changed a lot over the years. When most of us were kids and teenagers, hanging out at the mall was not just a rite of passage – it was simply what you did. We would take our hard-earned babysitting or weekend job money and roam the aisles of our favorite stores, sometimes looking for bargains, other times saving up for that pair of Guess jeans, that dress from The Limited, or that to-die-for top from Express. As you got older, shopping focused on housewares and decor, sending you to Pottery Barn, Crate and Barrel, or everyone’s favorite – Target. Then came kids, after school activities, sports’ equipment, summer camps, and…well, you see where I’m going with this. Life gets expensive. That’s why, today, we’re focusing on ways to keep a sense of style and personal flair – but on a budget. Therefore, today’s topic? Thrift shops.

Thrift shops have enjoyed a revitalization of sorts over the years. No longer simply a flea market-style place to donate or shop for oddities and trinkets, thrift shops, particularly here in Richmond, offer a place to find a surprising number of upscale treasures without breaking the bank. As an added bonus, thrift shops also provide an eco-friendly way to shop, allowing us to both recycle our unwanted or unused goods and reuse items that others no longer need. In short, thrift shops are a win-win-win situation for everyone.

Thanks to a number of thrift shops and consignment stores that have sprung up in the Richmond area over the last decade or so, there are tons of options when it comes to bargain shopping for clothes, shoes, housewares, home decor, and even furniture. To help you find some of the best thrift shops in your area, we’ve taken a look at some of our favorites and picked five that offer second hand goods worthy of a second look.

To pick our favorites, we looked for places that offered the following:

1. Broad selection of items, from housewares to clothes
2. A clean, upscale environment and/or curated selection
3. A worthy cause or other community involvement

The following five spots will more than satisfy your bargain-loving side, while offering you a chance to revive and revitalize your wardrobe or home in an environmentally-friendly and economical way.

You’ll also want to be sure to check out our Best Consignment Stores for Kids in Richmond for bargains on kids’ clothes and goods; or if you’re looking for great places to donate, take a look at our Best Places to Donate Toys, Clothes, and Household Goods and our Guide to Donations in Richmond for even more ideas!

And as always, if there’s a place you think we should know about that didn’t make the list, be sure to let us know at [email protected].

In the meantime, happy bargain hunting!

5. Circle Thrift and Art Space

After working in the non-profit sector for a number of years, the founders of Circle Thrift and Art Space wanted to start something that would not only serve the community, but that could give back in a meaningful way. After finding a space on West Broad in 2015, Circle Thrift and Art Space was born, offering a combination thrift store and art display space to support local artists and musicians. The shop recently relocated a little further down West Broad to 400 W Broad St., at the corner of Broad and Monroe streets. The new shop is 50% larger than their previous space, allowing for an even better shopping experience. Circle Thrift and Art Space a pretty typical thrift shop in that it runs entirely on donations, so the selection is fairly eclectic, but very reasonably priced. You may have to hunt a bit for specific items, but treasures abound and local artwork is always for sale.

What they offer: Clothing/accessories, shoes, books (some are free!), home decor, housewares, sporting goods, furniture, and local art.

Address and Contact:
400 W. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 387-3509
[email protected]
Visit them on Facebook for updates, events, and specials.

4. Second Debut by Goodwill 

Most of us are familiar with Goodwill. In fact, chances are, we’ve all found a great bargain or donated things of our own to this national organization at some point, knowing that Goodwill was founded with the intent of providing job training and support services to the local community. However, Goodwill can sometimes be overwhelming with its large selections and, in some cases, uncurated offerings. Second Debut in Carytown, however, is Goodwill – with a twist. This particular Goodwill retail shop is designed to provide a more upscale experience with carefully curated goods, neatly organized displays, and a clean, bright space. With a constant influx of new items, you’ll find a constantly changing selection of clothes (including many designer brands), shoes, household goods, and more. But best of all, while Second Debut is typically priced higher than many other Goodwill locations and standard thrift shops, they offer weekly specials with items marked down through their Color Of The Week program. In other words, all items with a tag corresponding to the Color Of The Week are 50% off.  In addition, they offer a Frequent Shopper Program – after four purchases of $15 or more you’ll receive a coupon for 20% off your next purchase of $20 or more.

What they offer: Clothes/accessories for all ages, shoes, books, household items, home decor, furniture, and more.

Address and Contact:
3114 West Cary Street Richmond, VA
(804) 254-7623

3. Vintage Class and Trash

Ken and Lisa Waldrop, owners and founders of Vintage Class and Trash, operated several booths in local antique malls before realizing that they had a pretty good thing going – and thus, Vintage Class and Trash opened in Ashland in 2004. Over the last 15 years, they have expanded their funky, eclectic collection of vintage, antique, and thrift shop items to include two additional shops in Scott’s Addition and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. While they don’t offer the same clothing options that our other thrift shops offer, Vintage Class and Trash is a goldmine for home decor, furniture, and more. You’ll also most likely find prices to be higher than traditional thrift shops, but reasonable given the quality and types of products, the customer service, and the overall ambiance and style of the shop. If you’re looking to refresh a space in your home on a budget, then don’t miss this crazy mix of household treasures.

What they offer: Vintage and antique items, furniture, household good, homewares, home decor, art, and more.

Address and Contact:
ASHLAND: 11088 Washington Hwy.,Glen Allen, VA 23059
804.798-0567
Visit Vintage Class and Trash Ashland on Facebook

SCOTT’S ADDITION:1720 Altamont Ave., Richmond, VA 23230
(804) 716-5316
Visit Vintage Class and Trash Scott’s Addition on Facebook

2. Diversity Thrift

Named one of Richmond’s Best Thrift Shops time and again in publications like Style Weekly, Richmond Magazine, and Richmond Times-Dispatch, Diversity Thrift has become a Richmond area staple. Since it opened as part of Diversity Richmond in 2000, it has continued to provide one of the area’s best selections of gently used clothes, accessories, household items, furniture and more. With multiple rooms filled with just about anything you could want, you’ll always find something new at Diversity Thrift thanks to generous donations from the surrounding community. All of their profits go back to support their local LGBQT+ programs – and best of all, if you’ve finished shopping and want to donate, they will accept tax-deductible donations that can be dropped off or picked up! And with ongoing specials and sales, their already reasonably priced items become even more of a bargain, meaning that everyone in the community can have access to fantastic goods.

What they offer:  Furniture, housewares, clothing, kitchen items, vintage, collectibles, jewelry, books, electronics, and much more.

Address and Contact:
1407 Sherwood Avenue, Richmond, VA 23220
(804) 353-8890 – call for deliveries/pick-ups

1. West End Thrift

West End Thrift has been a Richmond favorites for years. Not only do they offer an incredible selection of household goods, clothing, and more, they exist to provide service – service that shows in their beautifully crafted displays, their friendly staff, and their overall purpose to support the global mission work of West End Assembly of God. But what sets them apart from many other thrift shops is their dedication to quality. Whether it’s carefully curating their donations or making minor repairs to items, they make sure that you’re getting great quality – and absolutely incredible prices. And because they run on donations, you can shop – and give – knowing that you’re helping to put some good out in the world.

What they offer: Household goods, furniture, linens, clothing, jewelry,decor, lamps, rugs, toys/games, and more. 

Address and Contact:
219 W. Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23294
(804) 709-1621
jill​@weag.org