LOCAL

A guide to Tallahassee's secondhand thrift stores: From clothing to books, furniture and more

There are many dozens of crates, racks and bins to rummage through

Christopher Cann
Tallahassee Democrat

As the semester continues, fall wardrobes are on the minds of many students and with a large number of secondhand stores in Tallahassee, there are many dozens of crates, racks and bins for them to rummage through for the perfect piece. 

Maya Harris, a Florida State University sophomore, said she thrifts often in search of specific clothes that she can build an entire outfit around. 

"I really like fun colors," she said, adding that she is bored by the fast-fashion looks of brands like Zara and H&M. "There's history in these clothes, too."

Leeah Peacock browses through a rack of clothing inside The Other Side Vintage Sunday, July 11, 2021.

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But it's not only college students in Tallahassee thrift stores. Price-conscious patrons have been scanning the isles of secondhand stores for decades.

"I see things that take me back to when I was little," said 66-year-old Brenda Sweet as she walked through City Walk Urban Mission. Growing up in Indiana, Sweet would thrift with her aunt and sister because they could not afford retail prices. Now she just does it for the thrill of finding "buried treasure."

"Look at this ... it's just for me," she yelled out as she passed a 3-piece furniture set including a couch, chair and ottoman for $79. "Now, this is what it's all about. I am so excited!"

Brenda Sweet sitting on her newly purchased three-piece furniture set on Oct. 7, 2021. She is a longtime shopper at Tallahassee thrift stores.

City Walk Urban Mission, 1105 N. Monroe St.

In the heart of midtown, City Walk Urban Mission, a thrift store full of clothes, books, appliances and an entire back room dedicated to furniture.

There is not much of a unified identity in the store's racks since they're made up of community and business donations. 

"I love this place," Harris said. "I have found a lot of fun, vintage stuff here. You just need some patience."

For those looking for deals, this store has no shortage.

On Mondays, senior citizens get 10% off everything in the building. On Tuesdays, home décor is 25% off.  All clothes, shoes and purses are 50% off on Wednesdays and Thursdays are discounts on books, DVDs and Blu-Rays. 

City Walk Urban Mission Thrift Store Sunday, July 11, 2021.

The Other Side Vintage, 607 Railroad Square

Founded in the year 2000 by two sisters and their mother, The Other Side Vintage in Railroad Square Art District is a unique vintage store that is half-curated by about 30 people that have a dedicated place in the store for their items.

This, according to Brooklyn Croy of the founding sisters, is why there is a "unique collection of clothes, vinyl, art and furniture."

The items that are bought by the original owners are found at estate auctions. When searching, Croy says she keeps a keen eye out for bright, colorful clothes. 

  • Hours: Monday, closed; Tuesday through Thursday 2 p.m.-6 p.m.; Friday, noon to 6 p.m.; Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
  • Website: othersidevintage.com
  • Contact: 850-224-6666
Aaliyah LeClair, 14, and Sarah Leblanc, 18, laugh together as they browse inside The Other Side Vintage in Railroad Square Sunday, July 11, 2021.

Living Harvest: 4500 W. Shannon Lakes Drive, 1219 W. Tharpe St.; 308 E. Orange Ave.

Living Harvest first opened its West Tharpe store in March 2013, Executive Director Bradley Janowski said. Within the last two years, it has added two others.

Each of Living Harvest's stores is made up entirely of community donations and features a wide variety of clothes and furniture.

Janowski said he tries to keep prices as low as possible. For those who'd like to keep up to date on upcoming deals, follow Living Harvest's Facebook page. 

  • Hours: Monday through Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Sunday
  • Website: thelivingharvest.org
  • Contact: 850-900-5930
Living Harvest Sharing Center thrift store Sunday, July 11, 2021.

The Fix Thrift Shop, 1208 Capital Circle SE  

Upon arrival at The Fix Thrift Shop, people will be greeted with "a boutique-style store with great music, handpicked by staff," as well as appliances, clothes, jewelry and furniture, said founder Gerry Phipps.

Since it is donation-based, the clothes vary greatly but the common denominator, Phipps said, is everything is in good condition. 

The Fix Thrift Store Sunday, July 11, 2021.

The thrift store was added to the existing Be The Solution nonprofit that Phipps started in 2007 to neuter and spray pets across the city and county. Since 2007, the group has "fixed" over 43,000 cats and dogs, Phipps said. 

  • Hours: Tuesday through Friday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; closed Sunday
  • Website: bethesolution.us/the-fix
  • Contact: 850-298-1129

Savvy Salvage Thrift, 623 Industrial Drive

Also in Railroad Square is Savvy Salvage Thrift, where customers can find modestly priced FSU merchandise to brand-name clothes and jewelry.

Savvy Salvage accepts donations, but also buys, sells and trades vintage clothes and accessories. To stay up to date on its events, like first Friday, follow its Facebook page. 

Savvy Salvage Thrift Sunday, July 11, 2021.

Goodwill, multiple locations

With over four Goodwill stores and donation centers across Tallahassee, each of them has a treasure trove of donated clothes, appliances and furniture pieces to be discovered.

Buyers have the option of finding the low and modestly priced pieces at a bigger discount because of their color of the week deal, which lowers the price of items with specific tags 50%. 

  • Hours for all locations: Monday through Saturday 9 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
  • Website: goodwill.org
Goodwill on North Monroe Street Sunday, July 11, 2021.

Salvation Army, 2410 Allen Road

Tallahassee's only Salvation Army has been taking donations and offering low-priced clothes, books, furniture and vinyl records since 1951. 

The Salvation Army Family Store Sunday, July 11, 2021.

Good Samaritan Thrift Store, 2706 N. Monroe St.

The Good Samaritan Thrift Store has a large inventory made up of community-donated "antique furniture, books, clothing, kitchen, house ware and much more," according to its website. 

  • Hours: Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; closed Sunday
  • Website: gsncares.org
  • Contact: 850-297-1113
Good Samaritan Super Thrift Store Sunday, July 11, 2021.

Community Thrift Market, 652 Capital Circle N.E. 

Started in 2015, The Tallahassee Community Thrift Market is a labyrinth of donated clothes covering decades of fashion, books, jewelry and antique furniture pieces that range from dining sets to sewing tables. 

  • Hours: Closed Monday; Tuesday through Saturday 11 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 4 p.m. 
  • Website: communitythriftmarket.com
  • Contact: 850-273-0279
Community Thrift Market Sunday, July 11, 2021.

What Do Ya Got? Thrift Store, 1346 S. Adams St.

This thrift store tucked away on South Adams Street offers clothes, appliances, knick-knacks and much more, according to longtime owner Sherry Bradshaw. 

"I have everything," she said about her store's contents, which are bought at storage auctions and state sales. "There's no telling what you'll find in here."

She added that clothes are $5 "all-you-can carry" and $1 for shoes. 

  • Hours: Monday through Thursday and Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; closed Sunday
  • Contact: 850-) 590-3204

Contact Christopher Cann at ccann@tallahassee.com and follow @ChrisCannFL on Twitter.

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