Have you ever gotten a particularly cute pair of shoes for your toddler only to have them tear a hole in the toe within the first 5 minutes? Or dressed your handsome boys for a special occasion but they get stains all over before anyone can even see them? Me too… Luckily, it makes me less cranky when I didn’t spend an arm and a leg for these items. I find myself thinking, “Oh well, at least I only paid a fraction of what they would have cost new.” I am a firm believer that play clothes are expendable. And, let’s be real, my kids are always in play mode. What’s more, kids are hard on a whole lot more than just clothes. This is just one reason I love thrifting for anything and everything. Here are a few tips I like to think about when thrifting for my home and family:
- Think ahead a few seasons- For example, buy clothes at the end of the season to stock up on good prices and clearance deals for the next year.
- Plan up one or two sizes – As soon as my child graduates to a new size, I am already scouring for deals on the next new size. That way, I can have a whole new closet ready for whenever they will need it.
- When you find a good deal, buy it – Sometimes I come across fun items at good prices unexpectedly. If that happens, I buy them whether I need them immediately or not. Winter boots are a good example of this.
- Buy neutral themes – In general, I try not to buy items that are too specific for one child. Neutral themes can work for multiple kids as hand-me-downs.
- Have a specific price point in mind – When buying anything, I have an idea of the price I want to pay and I wait patiently until I find something that fits the bill.
Rochester Thrifting Resources
General Thrift Store
- Salvation Army – 201 9th ST. SE & 4921 W. Frontage Road
- Savers – 1201 S. Broadway
- Goodwill – 1987 Scott Rd. NW & 28th St. SE
- Kismet Consignment Fashion (upscale) & Home Decor – 601 N. Broadway
Furniture and Household Renovation
- ReStore (Habitat for Humanity) -3034 40th Ave. NW
- ReFashion (home decor & furniture & clothing) 1218 &th St. N.W. Northgate
Clothing Stores
- Children’s Exchange – 1249 Marion Rd SE
- Once Upon a Child – 1111 Civic Center Drive NW (Moving in April to the Plato’s Closet Shopping Center near Walmart North)
- Plato’s Closet (Teen & Young Adult) – 3444 55th St NW
- Clothes Mentor (Women’s) – 3851 Marketplace Dr NW
- Thrift on Fifth – Christ United Methodist Church 400 5th Ave. SW
- Danielle’s Consignment Boutique (upscale) 2130 South Broadway
- Phenomenal Women (Plus size attire, regular sizes, accessories) 340 S. Main St. Zumbrota
Used Bookstores
- Friend’s Bookstore (Library Used Bookstore) – 101 2nd St SE,
- Paperback Book Palace – 4106 18th Ave NW
- Collective Books & Records -Castle Community 121 Broadway Ave North, Suite 250
Seasonal/Personal Sellers
- Citywide sales – Keep an eye out for these throughout the spring/summer in Rochester and surrounding communities.
- Just Between Friends – Spring Sale Dates: May 2-4
This guide was a joint post by Melissa Meyers and Heather Plizga.
