From Vintage to Retro
The Best Thrift Stores in Columbus, Ohio
There are many good reasons to buy clothes and furniture in thrift stores. For one, they are usually significantly less expensive than traditional stores. But also, thrift stores often carry one-of-a-kind and vintage items you rarely find elsewhere.
If you are into unique fashion and accessories, thrift stores are treasure troves where you can discover hidden gems and add a touch of individuality to your style or home.
And let’s not forget their environmental sustainability. Buying from thrift stores is an eco-friendly choice that reduces the demand for new products and promotes a circular economy by extending the lifespan of goods and reducing waste. The fashion industry is unfortunately known for its high resource consumption, waste generation, and poor labor conditions. Opting for secondhand clothing reduces the demand for new fast fashion items and indirectly contributes to a more sustainable and ethical fashion industry.
And finally, many spots in this list of the best thrift stores in Columbus are also operated by non-profit organizations or support charitable causes that fund community programs, support disadvantaged individuals, or aid social initiatives. Shopping there can be a way to give back to the community while fulfilling your shopping needs. Here are some of our favorites.
Out of the Closet – Columbus
Out of the Closet has everything from clothes to books and housewares, and profits go to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, with 96 cents of every dollar going into providing HIV services here and around the world. They also offer free HIV testing, and if you get tested, you get a discount on your purchases!
On top of it, prices are fair, the staff is friendly, and you’re bound to find unique items that are still in great shape. Parking is not the easiest, but it’s well worth visiting.
Address: 1230 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201 • (614) 291-2680
Photo Credit: Out of the Closet – Columbus
Volunteers of America Thrift Store – Indianola
Volunteers of America Thrift Store is a great place to check out both online and in person, as many items are put on the website first. Plus, with only three fitting rooms, it can get a little crowded. That being said, this is one of the best thrift stores in Columbus, with a good selection of clothes, a wide selection of Christmas decorations, and a rotating selection of items with reasonable prices.
Volunteers of America Ohio & Indiana has helped over one million people nationwide with housing and health care programs, including low-income seniors, veterans, homeless individuals, families, men and women returning home after incarceration, and those recovering from addictions.
Address: 3620 Indianola Ave, Columbus, OH 43214 • (614) 263-9134
Photo Credit: Volunteers of America Thrift Store – Indianola
One More Time
Savvy thrift store shoppers know One More Time as one of the best thrift stores in Columbus. Organized, friendly, and with great prices, it also has a nice selection of designer items, as well as shoes, jewelry, and more.
With a firm belief in helping others, they work closely with the community by donating unwanted items to various charities around the city. They also promote a SAVE-A-BAG Program, where you can donate to one of three charity organizations whenever you bring your own bags. And every September, they hold a charity sale benefiting Nationwide Children’s Hospital here in Columbus, OH. Since starting in 1995, the One More Time family has donated over $80,000!
Address: 1521 W 5th Ave, Columbus, OH 43212 • (614) 486-0031
Photo Credit: One More Time
Uptown Cheapskate Columbus Easton
There’s something for everyone at Uptown Cheapskate! With a nice selection of clothes and shoes clearly labeled and organized in a clean environment, it’s easy to see why customers keep coming back. If you have items to sell, their trained buyers will make you a cash offer of 25% more in-store credit on the spot, and any items they’re unable to purchase will be donated to a local charity on your behalf or given back to you. No appointment is needed!
Since 2015, they’ve raised more than $650,000 to build more than 21 schools in developing countries such as Mali, Burkina Fason, Senegal, Haiti, Nepal, Malawi, and Nicaragua.
Address: 3854 Morse Rd, Columbus, OH 43219 • (614) 333-1402
Photo Credit: Uptown Cheapskate Columbus Easton
Ohio Thrift Store
Ohio Thrift has been serving Central Ohio since the late ’80s, obtaining its merchandise from non-profit organizations and more to provide them with much-needed funds while paying all local, state, and federal taxes applicable to for-profit entities. It has become a major center for recycling rags and other materials.
It’s a great spot to look for everything from children’s clothes to small kitchen appliances, and a lot of items are brand new. The store is clean, and the prices are still decent despite recent increases.
Address: 5738 Columbus Square, Columbus, OH 43231 • (614) 714-2444
Photo Credit: Ohio Thrift Store
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store and Donation Center
While the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store and Donation Center has a good variety of items, it is the place to be if you’re on the market for some gently used, high-quality furniture. You’ll also find a solid selection of books, including vintage editions and classics, DVDs, clothes, and even small and large kitchen appliances.
This store helps the Society of St. Vincent de Paul continue its work with members of the local community who are struggling to get ahead, including providing help with utilities, food, and car repair. It’s a charity you will feel good supporting!
Address: 5969 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43213 • (614) 377-1065
Photo Credit: St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store and Donation Center
Family Thrift
Family Thrift offers a fabulous shopping opportunity to anyone looking for a stress-free experience and a department store feel. It has everything you could want, including clothes for men, women, juniors, children, and babies, all nearly organized, as well as shoes, toys, books, and more. While the prices are already competitive, they also have special events with even bigger discounts.
They’ve raised thousands of dollars to help needy families in the Columbus community and especially try to improve the quality of life for children with cancer through donations to the National Children’s Cancer Society.
Address: 4815 E Main St, Columbus, OH 43213 • (614) 866-7882
Photo Credit: Family Thrift
Furniture with a Heart Thrift Store- Columbus
Furniture with a Heart does mostly sell furniture, as its name indicates, but it also has plenty of other items like clothes, exercise equipment, home goods, and more. It is the perfect place to visit if you’re trying to furnish a new place! Their selection changes often, and it is worth checking out regularly if you didn’t find exactly what you were looking for.
Plus, 100% of the money you spend there goes to the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio, helping over 3,000 families every year – and every $360 in merchandise sold supplies 16 pieces of furniture to a family in need. Most of the donations go to those who need them the most, but a selection goes to their thrift store. They accept drop-offs up to 30 minutes before closing time, and you can schedule pickups as well.
Address: 2165 Morse Rd, Columbus, OH 43229 • (614) 826-4427
Photo Credit: Furniture with a Heart Thrift Store- Columbus
Goodwill
Goodwill Columbus is one of the region’s largest job providers, and their local thrift store is well-organized and neat. It’s a great one to check out around the holidays if you’re looking for Christmas or Halloween decorations.
Goodwill Columbus also provides a dedicated space for adults with any disability to create, showcase, and sell artwork, fostering self-expression, skill development, and personal growth. In 2014, the Goodwill Art Studio and Gallery served nearly 100 individuals who completed 483 works of fine art, earning them over $9,000 from the sales.
Address: 2937 Morse Rd, Columbus, OH 43231 • (614) 414-0441
2550 N High St, Columbus, OH 43202 • (614) 384-9768
Photo Credit: Goodwill Columbus
Buckeye Bargains
Buckeye Bargains, the University Women’s Club thrift store, is operated by volunteers and is open to the Columbus community, with all profits going to the UWC of Ohio State Scholarship Fund. You can find inexpensive items there that are still high quality, clean, current, and in working order, including dishes, kitchen items, glasses, small appliances, clean, wearable clothing, jewelry, linens, sheets, towels, blankets, and more – but no furniture due to lack of space.
The UWC supports three scholarship funds that support deserving students who reside in Ohio and 14 surrounding states. Since 1989, 500 scholarships have been awarded with a graduation rate of 100 percent.
Address: 53 W 11th Ave, Columbus, OH 43201
Photo Credit: Buckeye Bargains
American Cancer Society Discovery Shop
The American Cancer Society Discovery Shop is one of the best thrift stores in Columbus, with some of the nicest employees around. Let go of any preconceived ideas of dark and dusty shops, this one is brightly lit, clean, and well organized. You will love shopping there and are unlikely to come out empty-handed!
More than an upscale secondhand store, it also strives to eliminate cancer as a major health concern by donating all shop profits to the American Cancer Society, which fights this disease through research, education, advocacy, and service. It’s also a great place to volunteer!
Address: 1198 Kenny Centre Mall, Columbus, OH 43220 • (614) 457-4227
Photo Credit: American Cancer Society Discovery Shop
Village Discount Outlet
Village Discount Outlet is well organized and clean but isn’t the place to go for cheap clothes and home goods. Their target clientele is more upscale, with prices to match. They purchase their items from multiple organizations such as Amvets of Ohio, National Juvenile Diabetes, and other charities. They also hire veterans, are an environmentally friendly business, and military and first responders receive 20% off with ID on select merchandise. It’s worth checking out!
Address: 109 Huber Village Blvd, Westerville, OH 43081 • (614) 443-3421
Photo Credit: Village Discount Outlet
Good Life Thrift Store
Good Life Thrift Store is full of bargains with both new and used items. Check it out before going to Target, as they have a similar inventory but with a discount. The place is also clean, and the employees are friendly and welcoming. It’s an excellent spot to hunt for electronics, kids’ toys, beauty products, and even cotton candy! There’s a Goodwill nearby, making for a convenient thrifting experience.
Profits go to Good Life Ministry, which actively works to change the lives of children in India, providing them with education, clean drinking water, helping with disaster relief efforts, and more.
Address: 3658 Main St, Hilliard, OH 43026 • (614) 971-5102
Photo Credit: Good Life Thrift Store
Flower Child
Flower Child is where it’s at if you’re looking for vintage items rather than discount bargains. Conveniently close to Downtown Columbus, it is well organized and reasonably priced for what could go for a lot more in antique stores. Are you looking for that special Oscar de la Renta dress from the 70s? Are you in the market for an art deco lamp or a discontinued special edition Pyrex? Flower Child might just have what you need!
Address: 233 E 5th Ave, Columbus, OH 43201 •
Photo Credit: Flower Child Vintage
Grandview Mercantile
Grandview Mercantile is a spacious, airy store full of antiques, vintage furniture, artwork, decor accessories, and jewelry. While not the most affordable store on this list, its inventory is high quality and regularly changing. Some have furnished entire homes with only their furniture! From coffee tables to chandeliers, mirrors, carpets, and more, you are bound to find at least some of what you need with every visit.
All items are priced as they are marked with a price adjustment of 10% every 15 days until sold, and they accept offers if the current price on an item is over $250. You can store your purchases at the store for five days for free.
Address: 1489 Grandview Ave, Columbus, OH 43212 •
Photo Credit: Grandview Mercantile
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