A beginner’s tutorial to Chicago’s second-hand garments outlets

New to thrifting? Permit April Tondelli be your guide.

A social reports instructor at Von Steuben Significant School on the Northwest Facet, Tondelli is the college advisor for the school’s fledgling thrifting club, established past fall. Due to the fact thrifting is also a particular interest, she created a manual to her favourite locations — a combine of price reduction thrift retailers, vintage retailers and larger-end consignment shops. Her listing, also mapped under, is a great place to commence for anyone dipping a toe into next-hand purchasing. Tondelli’s picks are clustered on the North Aspect, so we rounded out the listing with a several dependable stores in other components of the metropolis.

Verify out the map view of the shops stated right here. You are going to see that Andersonville, Bucktown/Wicker Park, Lincoln Park and Pilsen offer you concentrations of areas to go — effortless for all-day searching until finally you drop.

Did we skip your favourite thrifting gem? Explain to us about it at [email protected] subject line “thrifting manual.”

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THRIFT Outlets

➜ The Brown Elephant (5404 N. Clark St. Andersonville)

April suggests: “Eclectic vary of products together with dwelling products, men’s and women’s garments. All proceeds advantage LGBTQ health and fitness and fund care for the uninsured and beneath-insured at Howard Brown Health and fitness. This site has loads of furnishings and is in a awesome old movie theater.”

Other Brown Elephant places:

• 3020 N. Lincoln Ave. Lake Look at
• 217 Harrison St. Oak Park

➜ Buffalo Exchange (5252 N. Clark St. Andersonville)

April suggests: “Some classic, tons of rapidly trend, but if you can come across a designer piece, it is priced a great deal reduced than consignment stores. They also purchase apparel on the spot but ordinarily have very long hold out times.” Buffalo Exchange has a 2nd Chicago-place location in Wicker Park (1478 N. Milwaukee Ave.)

➜ Goodwill Shop & Donation Center (1201 W. Washington Blvd. West Loop)

April suggests: “Second-very best all close to thrift shop in Chicago. Burberry, Prada, Air Jordans are driving the counter for $200 or far more. Properly arranged by measurement. Great for housewares, business supplies, toys, puzzles and games. Goodwill shops about Chicago get donations from Target, so you will discover lots of new in-box merchandise. Terrific men’s area as nicely. Uncomplicated drive-up/contactless donation. Above 30 suburban Chicago places. All pretty identical.” Goodwill also has a Beverly place (9321 S. Western Ave.)

➜ Ragstock (1459 N. Milwaukee Ave. Wicker Park)

April states: “Chicago institution. Heaps of Halloween outfits/costume celebration-form vintage.”

Other Ragstock destinations:

• 812 W. Belmont Ave. Lake View
• 835 N. Michigan Ave. Streeterville
• 5 Woodfield Mall, Schaumburg

➜ The Salvation Army Family members Store & Donation Heart (2270 N. Clybourn Ave. Lincoln Park)

April says: “Best total thrift retailer in Chicago. Salvation Army has several places all-around Chicago that are lesser and extra disorganized, but this is their flagship. It has a ‘boutique’ part up entrance with men’s and women’s products. The very best merchandise are driving the counter. And the store has the major household furniture portion in Chicago and a large youngsters portion. Also take note: Costs are increased than other place thrift merchants straightforward travel up/contactless donation.”

Other Salvation Military locations:

• 2151 W. Devon Ave. West Ridge
• 4315 N. Broadway Buena Park
• 2941 N. Central Ave. Belmont Cragin
• 4052 W. Grand Ave. Humboldt Park
• 6434 W. 63rd St. Clearing
• 16 suburban destinations

➜ Village Discounted Outlet (4027 N. Kedzie Ave. Irving Park East)

April says: “Local Chicago chain. Least expensive of all thrift merchants shown, but also the most disorganized. ‘Special’ items are powering the counter or up higher so you have to inquire for them. The ‘White tag’ portion has better goods (with increased charges). If your time is confined, I ordinarily just seem listed here. The retailer also has books, toys, housewares but no home furniture.”

Other Village Discounted destinations:

• 2032 N. Milwaukee Ave. Bucktown
• 4898 N. Clark St. Uptown
• 4635 N. Elston Ave. Mayfair
• 2043 W. Roscoe St. North Centre
• 3301 W. Lawrence Ave. Albany Park
• 6419 S. Kedzie Ave. Chicago Garden
• 2514 W. 47th St. Brighton Park
• 4020 W. 26th St. Very little Village
• 2515 Chicago Rd. Chicago Heights

➜ Exclusive (6560 W. Fullerton Ave. Montclare)

April says: “Unique is component of Savers, an intercontinental thrift chain. They are structured by measurement, and all their areas have a great collection of property items, textbooks and wonderful toy/sport sections for youngsters. Better products are driving the counter.” This is a for-gain operation so the money you shell out does not assistance a nonprofit. But donations of made use of outfits and domestic goods gain Vietnam Veterans of The usa, in accordance to Unique’s website.

Other One of a kind areas

• 3748 N. Elston Ave. Irving Park
• 3000 S. Halsted St. Bridgeport

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Classic

➜ Kokorokoko (1323 N. Milwaukee Ave. Wicker Park)

April claims: “Focus on 80s/90s vintage. Hip-hop/streetwear vibes.”

➜ Pilsen Classic (1430 W. 18th St. Pilsen)

This keep in Pilsen — opened in 2009 by operator Paul Guizar — began out advertising a combine of older and regular 2nd-hand outfits but has since develop into completely classic. According to Maggie Reynoso, the store’s manager, the current range of men’s and women’s apparel is strongest from the ’80s and ’90s, but you can obtain models heading back again to the 1950s. “Older things from the 2000s is starting to be vintage,” Reynoso suggests. “Denim tank tops, decrease increase jeans and skirts.” Consider Lindsay Lohan, Paris Hilton and boy bands. The retail outlet also curates classic housewares (dishes, vases, lamps) and a choice of vinyl 45s and LPs.

➜ retailer B vintage (1472 N. Milwaukee Ave. Wicker Park)

April says: “Great classic. Many eras represented.”

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CONSIGNMENT

➜ C&J Collections (1932 S. Halsted St., Ste. #502 Pilsen)

This on the net women’s consignment store is open up at its Pilsen showroom Wednesday via Saturday. You can also ebook a non-public appointment.

➜ Elliott Consignment (2465 N. Lincoln Ave. Lincoln Park)

April claims: “Local, spouse and children-owned consignment shop. Excellent area to look through and consign. Maybe not the trendiest, but terrific work have on and substantial-good quality goods you can don for a long time. Incorporates both equally men’s and women’s outfits.” Elliott Consignment also has a Lake Look at site (3015 N. Broadway).