It is no secret that I am a lover of all things related to thrift stores and thrift store shopping. At least once a week I make my rounds to my favorite thrift stores. We all know about the “regular” chain thrift stores that you find in most towns, but today I’m focusing on my favorite LOCAL thrift stores. These babies come in all shapes and sizes and support some great local charities. Here are my top 5 favorite local thrift stores, in no particular order.
Thrift on 46
3442 FL-46
Sanford, FL 32771
Thrift on 46 is definitely not your grandmother’s Thrift Store. In addition to a large selection of brand new products in The Shoppe, The Warehouse is full of used clothes and housewares, and they even have a local coffee shop. Looking for something for your Disney day? They always have a great selection of Disney gear for the whole family. 100% of the proceeds benefit Harvest Time International.
*Helpful Hint: The owner posts their daily sales, and even videos of what’s new, every day on their Instagram account, so make sure to follow them. I also check out their Instagram before I head there. They even host events like a pop-up market once a month.
Teen Challenge SuperThrift
4540 FL-46
Sanford, FL 32771
Teen Challenge Super Thrift has it all – a large shop, tons of clothes, housewares, and furniture, it is SUPER clean, and the staff is always cheerful and ready to help. If you are looking for vintage and used furniture, this should be your first stop in Orlando. This chain of thrift stores across the Southeast region of the United States provides quality goods to raise support for teens and adults enrolled in Teen Challenge – a non-profit specializing in the recovery and prevention of life-controlling issues.
*Helpful Hint: This is a large store, so it is best to go in with a plan. I usually head straight back to housewares to check things out and then make my way back through the rest of the store. They have a weekly tag color that is 50% off, so make sure to keep that in mind as you shop.
Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida Thrift Store
2054 SR 436, Suite#140
Winter Park, FL 32792
This well-organized shop is a great place to look for those odd-ball items that may be on your shopping list. They offer weekly sales which just add to their already great deals. There is always something new each time you visit! Sales from the store help cover key operational expenses across the 36 Boys and Girls Clubs of Central Florida, helping them better serve more than 11,000 children every year.
*Helpful Hint: They have MULTIPLE sales going on each week, so make sure to check out the big sign by the door when you arrive. They also have a dedicated section for new and used Disney items that is worth checking out.
The Sharing Center Thrift Store
600 N US Hwy 17 92 #100
Longwood, FL 32750
The Sharing Center Thrift Store is actually three stores in one! They have a furniture store, a boutique store with higher-end and new items, and their regular thrift store. They offer weekly sales in all three stores, so make sure to check their website for the latest sales before you head out. They even have a rewards program where you can earn points with every purchase and earn $5 discount on your next purchase. When you shop at The Sharing Center, 90% of your donation is directed to providing essential resources to families on the brink of hunger and homelessness.
*Helpful Hint: KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN! There is a fair amount of product turnover in their store, so sometimes things land in the wrong place. They have WONDERFUL volunteers, but everyone makes mistakes, and sometimes that can work out VERY well for you. On one of my recent trips, I found two beautiful vintage Pyrex bowls on the bottom shelf of the plastic items in the kitchen section. If I hadn’t been looking down I would have totally missed them!
The Russell Home Thrift Store
5517 S Orange Avenue
Orlando, FL 32839
This lovely thrift store showcases antiques, women’s clothing, men’s wear, household décor, kitchen accessories, casual dinnerware, china, cookware, and more. Even though it doesn’t look like much from the outside, it is a great place to find everything you need to stock your kitchen. No need to pay full price for dishes and pots and pans! All funds raised through the thrift store support the operations of the Russell Home for Atypical Children, Inc.
*Helpful Hint: Don’t bring a big bag/purse with you into the store. There is a lot to check out and not a lot of room to move around. Do yourself and your fellow shoppers a favor and leave the big bags in the car!
