Kelsey Bradshaw|Austin 360
If you haven't gasped at a vintage Pyrex bowl — olive green, with white daisies —stacked on the shelves of a vintage store for only $15, have you really lived?
That green bowl now lives in my house, among lots and lots of other finds from thrift stores, vintage spots and antique malls. Hunting for finds is seriously addictive, whether it's a pair of fringed leather shorts or a pink mid-century lampwith gold speckles. And it'sbecome an especiallydangerous hobby in Austin, where it seems some kind of secondhand store lurks around every corner.
So in the interest of sharing, we've rounded up some of our favorite vintage and thrift stores in Austin. Most are a good mix of clothes, home goods and low prices.
The Next to New Shop of St. David's Episcopal Church
Where: 5435 Burnet Road
What: Listen to me.(Pretend I'm holding your face in my hands, OK? I want to seem as threatening as possible.) This is my favorite place to shop in Austin. Rows of dishes, vases, glasses andpitchers greet you when you enter. It has rugs, art, books, clothing, lamps, furniture, jewelry, mirrorsand appliances. I have purchased an outdoor patio table, earrings that look like lamps, a bar stool, a painting of flowers, a zebra-print mirror and, like, six vases here. The shop is run by volunteers and your purchase funds charitable donations. And if you don't know how consignment works, we've got you —the prices decrease the longer an item stays on the shelves. When you go, because you should go, let me know what you find, please!
Online:next2new.org/home.php
Room Service Vintage
Where:117 E. North Loop Blvd.
What: Ah, Room Service. You've probablyheard of this North Loop spot. It definitely seems like the place everyone knows or learns about first when they come to town. Here, you'll find mostly home goods and furniture, but they have a great selection of vintage T-shirts and tops, jeans, boots, purses, dresses and jewelry. The store may seem small when you enter, but trust us, you can spend the better part of an afternoon snooping through each nook and cranny. You can grab some seriously good finds here. The store posts frequently on Instagram if you want to nail down a piece before shopping in person. Be prepared to spend a little money when you visit or just go for the browsing, as the store feels like a fun museum.
Online:roomservicevintage.com
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Top Drawer Thrift
Where: 4902 Burnet Road
What: Albeit small, Top Drawer Thrift is mighty in its selection. I've found some of myfavorite lamps, dishes and art pieces here. A particularly cool section in the store includes vintage radios and other electronics. And I'll save you the ask— the old Ann Richards campaign sign in the window is not for sale. The store also puts its proceeds toward helping Austinites with HIV or AIDS through Project Transitions, which provides housing and other services. (As of this writing, the store was open for pick-up only. Be sure to check their website before heading over.)
Online:projecttransitions.org/topdrawerthrift
Flamingos Vintage Austin
Where: 2915 Guadalupe St.
What: If you're only looking for clothes, oh boy, buckle up. Flamingos Vintage, which is a chain, sells clothesby the pound. I'monly half-kidding when Isay you should make sure to hydrate and eat something before heading to the Guadalupe Street store to hunt for finds. They have hundredsof pieces. Do you need a denim jacket? They have 1 million. (OK, not really, but that's what it feels like.) If you've been searching for the perfect pair of jeans or jean shorts, Irecommend starting here.
Online:instagram.com/flamingos.vintage.austin
Buffalo Exchange
Where: 2904 Guadalupe St.
What: Once you're done at Flamingos, head across the street to Buffalo Exchange. Dare Isay it? This store has one of the best earring selections around. Ialways leave with at least one pair. Buffalo, which is a chain, carries trendy, mostly donated pieces. When cow print got big, Ifound a cow-print purse here, for example. If you're looking for name-brand activewear, start at Buffalo.
Online:buffaloexchange.com
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Treasure City Thrift
Where: 2142 E. Seventh St.
What:Ihad to put thisEast Austin spot on our list, and not just because it's next to Los Comales Mexican Restaurant. This gem is an old-faithfulshopping experience. The prices are right, and you'll find racks of clothes and shelves of home goods. This writer once purchased a picture frame in the shape of a cow's body for a buck or two at Treasure City Thrift. It is a prized possession now.
Online:treasurecitythrift.org
Texas Thrift
Where:5319 N. Interstate 35
What:Gather 'round, hardcore thrifters. Texas Thrift is a no-nonsense spot. Imean that you won't find any frills (or curated mid-century sections) here. That's not a dig, either. I loveit. Packed racks of clothing take up most of the store, and it seems like there's always some kind of sale going on. Home goods are also available.You can really roll up your sleeves, both literally and metaphorically, and get to digging in here.
Online:buythrift.com
Austin Antique Mall
Where: 8822 McCann Drive
What:Perhaps you are like me, and your mother taught you about antique malls the same way she prepared you for your bat mitzvah ceremony. If that's you, you are probably already a frequent visitor toAustin Antique Mall. But let's talk about it anyway. You could spend probably a whole day in here if you wanted to. The building is full of dozens of booths from different sellers, and it feels like the antiques go on for miles. Isuspect anything you can dream up — a telescope, an old-timey cash register, a cookie jar shaped like a goose— you'll find at Austin Antique Mall.
Online:instagram.com/austin_antique_mall
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Thrift Town
Where: 5700 Menchaca Road,No. 240
What: I'll let our native Austinite, editor Eric Webb, take this one:"Aisles upon aisles of affordable finds. It's a true thrift shopping experience — you do have to sort through a lot of hay to get to your needle, but when I worked at Amy's Ice Creams, I got all my fun T-shirts for work here."
Online:facebook.com/ThriftTownAustin
Thrift Land
Where:512 W. Stassney Lane, No. 107A
What:Who doesn't love color coordination? Thrift Land keeps its clothing organized by hueso you can find what you want faster. They have racks and racks of clothes and all kinds of home goods, too. The store is pretty big, so start your shopping trip early.
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Online:familythrift.com/austin-tx
Charm School Vintage
Where:1111 E,11th St., No. 150
What:Tired of digging? Irecommend Charm School Vintage for a more curated selection of vintage clothing pieces. Don't expect dirt-cheap prices here, but do expect to find a lot of colorful, unique items you'll love. And no, you're not mistaken, Charm School Vintage was featured on the latest season of Netflix's "Queer Eye."
Online:charmschoolvintage.com
Austin Pets Alive thrift stores
Austin Pets Alive has three donation-based thrift locations, which makes stopping by prettyconvenient. Each store carries home goods, clothing, appliances, shoes and more. Your shopping habit will also do some goodhere. The money you spend goes to helping the animals at Austin Pets Alive. The store locations:
- 5801 Burnet Road.
- 1409 West Oltorf St.
- 5102 Clarkson Ave.
