Cincinnati has countless options for thrifting, second-hand shopping, or vintage finds. Many of these lesser-known stores are only a short drive from UC’s campus. As I’ve been finding my own style, I’ve upgraded a lot of my clothes from high school and freshman year, but that got expensive very quickly. Because of that, I’ve taken up thrifting and second-hand shopping to get the best deals on clothes that I know fit my style and not just whatever is trending.
st vincent de Paul in st bernard
For UC students, this is such a convenient option, being only a 10-minute drive north of campus. This location actually has both a traditional thrift store and a bins outlet building, so you get the best of both worlds when you visit. My friend found a Victoria’s Secret slip dress buried in a bin, so there are definitely good finds if you have the patience for it. In the thrift store, I picked up a complete set of vintage Coca-Cola drinkware, which has been my best thrift find to date.
gap factory store in florence, ky
While this is not a traditional thrift store, it is still a great option for anyone shopping on a budget. The clothes at the factory store are overstock or damaged items from GAP, Old Navy, Banana Republic, and Athleta, and will have a set price based on which brand you’re purchasing.
This is a massive warehouse, so if you’re shopping there, plan to spend multiple hours sifting through the racks of clothing and trying on everything you’ve found. My favorite items from the factory store have been a pair of Old Navy flats for $8 and a brand-new blazer from Banana Republic that was over $200 discounted.
goodwill in oakley
Goodwill has been (unfortunately) upping their prices with the recent popularity of thrifting, but this is one of the few stores where I think that it’s worth it. I’ve found clothes from Madewell, Ann Taylor, Lululemon, and J. Crew that were all in perfect condition! Although they are priced higher than other thrift stores nearby, there is a high chance that you’ll be able to find name-brand items that are still cheaper than retail.
tasty bird vintage in east walnut hills
This vintage store recently opened in East Walnut Hills, and it is one of my favorite spots to browse decor and jewelry. The store is full of individual vendors that have set up curated booths, and there is an additional basement area, too!
Because it’s a curated vintage store, the prices are much higher than typical thrift stores, so this is not a place where I typically buy a cart-full of clothes. Nonetheless, I still love exploring the different booths and seeing what random trinkets I can find.
These recommendations only scratch the surface of the thrifting spots here in Cincinnati. There are countless other stores and vendors that have amazing clothes, jewelry, bags, and decor at every price point. Happy shopping!