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Where To Find Second-Hand Gems: A Guide To Vintage And Thrift Stores In Columbus

Olivia Hoffman Student Contributor, Ohio State University
This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at OSU chapter and does not reflect the views of Her Campus.

If you’re looking to shop more sustainably and ethically in 2026, Columbus is a great place to do so. Looking for a starting guide? If you’re interested in mastering the art of second-hand shopping, here is a place to start for some great locations around Columbus to help you achieve that goal.

FLOWER CHILD

Flower Child Vintage is a huge store near the Short North on E. Fifth Avenue. This two-story building is full of vintage and antique objects of all types. I have personally purchased some amazing clothing finds from here, and if you’re looking to decorate your space, there’s plenty of vintage furniture and decor to choose from. This is a go-to spot for me and my friends.

ECLECTIQUES ANTIQUE MALL

North High Street has lots of second-hand shops, but in terms of size, Eclectiques is the largest. It is an antique mall in Clintonville, and has a huge collection of vintage and antique items for sale. You could spend hours in this place, finding everything you could imagine. They have a massive clothing selection, and also lots of furniture, decor, toys, books, and more. 

CORA’S CURIOSITIES

Also on North High Street is Cora’s Curiosities. This is a more unique vintage store that also contains oddities and curiosities, such as animal bones, taxidermy, and even preserved remains in jars. There are also plenty of vintage items as well, such as old books, pictures, and decor. Along with this, you can grab brand new items like stickers, hair clips, and pins. This place is full of interesting things to buy, and also just to look at!

Photo of vintage store by campus
Original photo by Nour Soliman

The Atomic shop

Right across from Eclectiques is The Atomic Shop. This is a smaller vintage store, but packed full of gems. It is a great place for finding all sorts of cute clothes, decor, and accessories. Atomic also holds an annual market called “Atomic on High” for vendors of vintage clothes as well as small businesses/artists to sell their stuff, and is definitely worth a visit! 

Uptown cheapskate

Uptown Cheapskate is a thrift store that has four Columbus locations. The closest to campus is in the Dublin area on Federated Blvd. While Uptown is a little more pricey than your average thrift store, they have an incredible selection of trendy clothes from popular brands. It is definitely worth a visit every once in a while! 

westerville Antiques and Rustic RevamP

Westerville Antiques and Rustic Revamp is a unique store perfect for decor and setting the vibe of your space. While containing all sorts of antique items, the store lives up to the “Rustic Revamp” part of their name. This is the spot to go if you love a rustic, vintage, country aesthetic.

Amelia Kramer-Typewriter Vintage Antique Store
Amelia Kramer / Her Campus

Worthington Antiques and Collectibles

Worthington Antiques and Collectibles is a cute and cozy vintage store! This spot is perfect for a day out in Worthington. Here, you can find some aesthetic pieces for your home, wardrobe, and collections.

Midwest Vintage Collective

Midwest Vintage Collective is a great clothing spot. It is a curated collection of high quality vintage clothes. This store has lots of 1990’s era T-shirts and hats. You find old merchandise from bands, sports teams, and other popular brands that you can’t anywhere else.

Shopping second-hand is a great way to find unique and high-quality items, and is also a great way to help the environment and save items that are at risk of being thrown away. These local Columbus vintage stores are a great place to start!

Olivia Hoffman is a senior Ohio State journalism student with a minor in media production. She’s written for The Lantern, Ohio State’s newspaper, and explored courses such as data journalism and feature writing. She is currently exploring creative writing and creative non-fiction, and expanding her experience in writing and leadership as Vice President for HerCampus at OSU.