Thrift Crawl: Richmond, VA

So you all know by now that I go to the same 4 thrift stores every Saturday (except today, since I'm moving!), and they are all really great in their own ways. However, each has something that's particularly awesome, and that is what I'll share with you today!

Goodwill Outlet: My favorite, hands down. When you first go through the propped-open warehouse door, you see bins and bins. You would never know that there were treasures buried deep down if you just glanced over them. So, you must roll up your sleeves and dig! I go straight back to the purses/shoes and go through those first. This is where I've found many designer purses, stuffed down at the bottom. And the shoes here, especially the ones on the racks, are in suprisingly good shape! I've found almost-new shoes here on numerous occasions, and new shoes at least once. Then, I head over to the clothes and dig through there until I can take no more. After a quick walk-through of the misc bins, I am done. (Usually with a huge bag full to show for it!)

Love of Jesus Thrift Store: This is my next stop on Saturday mornings. You never know what you will find at this thrift, but I have found a designer purse as well as a super-vintage Cosmo mag. Oh, and they are a good source for train cases and old suitcases, too. Right now, they have an entire corner dedicated to Christmas, so if you're into decorations, certainly head over there, too.

Family Thrift: Now this thrift can be reallllly well-priced, or a little pricey, depending on what you're looking for. They have the best selection of vintage sunnies of any of Richmond's thrifts-well-priced at 99 cents to about 3 dollars each. They also have a room full of sale merchandise, where I've found Pyrex cups for 45 cents each and a Samsonite train case for $2. They also have numerous markers and art supplies, and sports equipment galore in the sale section.

Good Samaritan Thrift Store: This is possibly the most random thrift in Richmond, and also one of my favorites. They have a fairly large kid's section, which also holds vintage games (this is where I got my 1970s Boggle!). I always find cool little vintage things in the arts/crafts section, and they have loads of baskets if that's your thing. Their furniture also usually seems to be good quality, which is nice. (I'll probably be going back there once I move and need more!)

Hope you enjoyed my little tips and info, and if you're ever thrifting in the Richmond area, be sure to check these out!

Always,

Amanda

Thrift Crawl Destination: Orlando, FL

Goodwill Orlando, Photo via infoUSA

I spent four (great!) years of my life in Orlando, Florida, going to the University of Central Florida, where I graduated with a degree in journalism.

However, it seems like the time I spent frequenting thrift stores is more useful to me now! (Although, yes, I do write this blog, so I guess I use some of my journalism knowledge.) Anyway, these are my former haunts, and yes, I do miss them!

1) Thriftko
1442 State Road 436 Ste 1028, Casselberry, FL 32707

This place is HUGE, a little smelly, and really random. But they do have great prices and, if you dig, some fun stuff! I especially have had luck finding back issues of magazines (Lucky! Domino! Allure!) for 25 cents, cute bags for a couple bucks, and really great vintage clothes. So if you can get over the dingy-ness, you can dig up some treasure for sure!

2) The Salvation Army Thrift Store
1330 Semoran Blvd.Casselberry, FL 32707

Self-explanatory. Most people have been in a Salvation Army. This one is the largest one I've ever been to, though! And I've found some really cute old sunnies there. When my former roomie (Miss you, Steph!) and I were bedecking our half-bath senior year, we came here for beach-themed treasures- and everything ended up being half off!

3)The Auxiliary White Elephant Thrift Shop
2411 Aloma Ave.Winter Park, FL 32792

I really like this cute little thrift store. It is so small, they only take cash, so come prepared! But I have found really great vintage clothing, dishes, old Polaroid cameras, little vintage greeting cards, and much more. It is definitely worth it to stop in and take a look around.

4) Goodwill
10525 E Colonial Dr, Orlando, FL 32801

This Goodwill, although still slightly musty smelling, is a great source for new stock from Target. It has the largest Target section (right at the front) of any Goodwill I've ever been to. It also has a fairly large shoe section and is a great source for funny Halloween costumes! (I got a VERY 80s prom dress there freshman year of college and went as Miss Prom 1985. Hilarious.)

Boo

As I'm looking at directories to remind myself of my frequent haunts from college, I realize that I didn't ever make it out to a lot of thrift stores in the area. Boo. But if you'd like to check out more, you should go to: thethriftshopper.com and search Winter Park, Florida or Orlando, Florida. While you're there, search for the thrift stores in your area- it gives you a pretty decent list!

Have a great Monday, everyone! (And if you're off work, like me, have a good day off!)


Always,
Amanda

Thrift Crawl Destination: Bradenton, FL

Photo: infoUSA

My first and favorite thrifting destination is Bradenton, FL.

I discovered a ton of thrift shops on the way home from a beach trip at the end of my senior year of high school, which was about 5 years ago. (Wow. I'm getting old!)

I've found some of my favorite old items at these shops (funky shoes! crazy cups! butterfly clasp belts!), but unfortunately, most of these have been lost along the way. This post is actually making me want to fly to Bradenton for the day just to thrift with some of my oldest and dearest friends...

Anyway, for those of you still residing in the sunshine state, here are a few diamond-in-the-rough thrift shops that you should definitely check out!

1. Goodwill 4720 E State Road 64, Bradenton, FL 34208
   (941) 749-5905 (Always a reliable source for random and awesome things! And this one is one of the better ones, for sure.)
   
2. Community Thrift Shop 5704 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34209
   (941) 792-2253 (This one is tucked away, but trust me, it's worth it to stop in here. They have additional percentage off of goods that have been there awhile, which means double deals for really interesting stuff.)



3. Trinity Thrift Store 3306 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34205
   (941) 746-8379 (Pictured above, this is a small, United Methodist-sponsored thrift store that has everything from 25 cent costume jewelry to very well-priced furniture. I got the butterfly-clasp belt mentioned above, a leather men's wallet, and some rockin' sunglasses at this tiny store! And I've had friends find some pretty cool old CDs here too.)
   
   
4. Manatee Memorial Aux Thrift 4517 Manatee Ave W, Bradenton, FL 34209
   (941) 745-2047 (The cool thing about Manatee Memorial is the room full of books and magazines for super cheap! They also have been known to have a bin full of freebies at the checkout counter. This is definitely a must-stop in a Bradenton thrift crawl!)