10 Best Thrift Stores in Chicago
Where to Shop for Vintage and Retro Items in Chicago?
The best thrift stores in Chicago are a dream for bargain hunters with a strong sense of style. Visitors to the ‘Windy City’ will quickly discover it is also a thrifty city, with retro-chic shops and markets offering a chance to buy everything from fabulous vintage fashions to unique home furnishings and kooky collectibles.
You won’t need to spend a fortune, but thrift store aficionados should come prepared to spend some serious time hunting for vintage treasures at renowned spots like the fabled Wolff’s Flea Market. It’s possible to spend entire days browsing the rails, and many of Chicago’s most enticing thrift stores raise money for good causes, so you’ll know it’s time and money well spent.
1. Kokorokoko
Vintage fashion finds that stand out from the crowd
Good for: Shoppers, Budget
Bright and beautiful pieces from the 1980s and ‘90s are the biggest selling point at Kokorokoko. It’s a funky vintage clothing store in the Wicker Park neighborhood. Chicago cool kids have been flocking here for over 20 years, and the stylish store remains the place to come for hip clothes that recall the best of ‘90s club culture and the pre-internet era.
Along with well-organized collections of cool clothes, Kokorokoko sells unique home furnishings and accessories as well as books, artworks, and cultural collectibles. Shoes and sneakers are another strong suit, so be sure to bring plenty of sturdy shopping bags to help carry your haul back home.
Location: 1323 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60622, USA
Open: Daily from noon to 7 pm
Phone: +1 773-252-6996
Kokorokoko
2. The Brown Elephant
Thrift store chain with a social conscience
Good for: Shoppers, Budget
Chicago boasts several branches of The Brown Elephant thrift store, whose proceeds are donated to the Howard Brown Health Center. It’s an LGBTQ+ healthcare charity supporting uninsured and under-insured members of the community. The newest branch is at Northalsted, while 2 more established stores at Andersonville and Oak Park offer a free HIV and STI screening service.
Impressive social conscience credentials aside, The Brown Elephant stores are packed with stylish pre-loved clothes, vintage vinyl, home furnishings, and other intriguing items. Prices are extremely accessible, just be prepared to spend a good amount of time browsing the aisles for buried treasures to suit your personal style.
Location: 812 W Belmont Ave, Chicago, IL 60657, USA
Open: Daily from 11 am to 6 pm
Phone: +1 773-549-5943
The Brown Elephant
3. Salvage One
Vintage furnishings on a cinematic scale
Good for: Shoppers, Budget
If you’re looking for awesome stained-glass windows, antique wooden doors, or luggage-friendly vintage doorknobs and tableware, you’ll find it at Salvage One. This vast treasure-filled warehouse spans some 60,000 sq ft and is as intriguing as any museum thanks to an enormous collection of architectural items salvaged from historic homes and buildings.
Their aim is to preserve storied pieces of architecture and design, helping others spruce up their living spaces at the same time. From grand claw-foot tubs to ornate door frames, the pieces are so attention-grabbing that many are rented out as props for stage and screen. The space itself is in high demand for private events, so bring your camera to capture the epic scale of the Salvage One experience.
Location: 1840 W Hubbard St, Chicago, IL 60622, USA
Open: Thursday from noon to 5 pm, Friday from 11 am to 5 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 5 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm (closed on Monday–Wednesday)
Phone: +1 312-733-0098
Salvage One
4. Vintage Frills
Colorful collection of fashion-forward finds
Good for: Shoppers, Budget, Photo
With its beautifully presented collections, colorful décor, and timeless fashions, Vintage Frills is undoubtedly one of the hottest retro stores in Chicago. Shopping here is a feast for the senses thanks to an Instagram-worthy store design, funky musical backdrop, and highly attentive service. But while it all feels very high-end, the prices are extremely fair, and the carefully curated clothes collections feel like a real passion project.
With beautiful jewelry and accessories alongside colorful clothes and envy-inducing shoes, this is one store that can have you looking stylish from top to toe. Just be warned that, once through the door, it’s easy to spend a lot of time here and almost impossible to leave empty-handed.
Location: 2846 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60618, USA
Open: Monday–Thursday from noon to 5 pm, Friday–Saturday from noon to 5.30 pm (closed on Sundays)
Phone: +1 872-335-7200
Vintage Frills
5. Monarch Thrift Shop
A stylish social enterprise
Good for: Shoppers, Luxury
Whether you’re looking for high fashion or affordable kids’ clothes, Monarch Thrift Shop has you covered. Founded and managed by women, the store is a social enterprise aimed at providing job training for those who need it most, but it’s also an enticing retail opportunity. The main space sells pre-loved items for fashion-conscious adults, while the Monarch Kids corner keeps younger visitors entertained while grownups browse the aisles.
High fashion fans are well catered for at Monarch Luxe, a stylish collection of couture items in a dedicated space within the store. Whatever your taste and budget, this appealing thrift store near Central Park Avenue is sure to have something to suit, and regular flash sales attract bargain hunters in abundance.
Location: 2875 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL 60618, USA
Open: Wednesday–Saturday from 11 am to 5 pm, Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Phone: +1 773-797-2090
Monarch Thrift Shop
6. Shangri-La Vintage
Thrift store with plenty of style
Good for: Shoppers, Unusual
Style-conscious visitors to Chicago should check out Shangri-La Vintage, a small but well-stocked store that has become something of an institution in the Roscoe Village area of Chicago. The ever-evolving collection is curated with care and includes everything from formal dresses to funky shirts and beachwear.
Prices are very fair, and the pieces on offer span the decades, making this a popular spot for shoppers looking for colorful additions to an outfit, or eye-catching options for themed parties. It’s an eclectic mix of styles, so prepare to dedicate a good amount of time to searching for the perfect piece.
Location: 1952 W Roscoe St, Chicago, IL 60657, USA
Open: Thursday–Friday from noon to 5 pm, Saturday–Sunday from noon to 6 pm (closed on Monday–Wednesday)
Phone: +1 773-348-5090
Shangri-La Vintage
7. Woolly Mammoth
Kooky antiques and curiosities store
Good for: Shoppers, Unusual
Be sure to bring your sense of curiosity when you visit Woolly Mammoth Antiques and Oddities. Affectionately known locally by the snappier name ‘Woolly Mammoth,’ the quirky spot is part store, part offbeat museum. Expect to see antique taxidermy from around the world, mind-boggling photographs from centuries past, curious medical items, and other unusual items.
Not everything is for sale so don’t expect to walk away with the 2-headed taxidermy cow, even if you are tempted. Luckily, this store, close to the Swedish American Museum, still offers plenty of intriguing items that make unusual gifts for those with a taste for the weird and wonderful.
Location: 1513 W Foster Ave, Chicago, IL 60640, USA
Open: Daily from noon to 5 pm
Phone: +1 773-989-3294
Woolly Mammoth
8. Wolff’s Flea Market
Enormous weekly market selling arts, clothes, and collectibles
Good for: Shoppers
A family-run Chicago institution since 1991, Wolff’s Flea Market is held each Sunday from April to October, at the city’s Allstate Arena. Early birds can catch the best of the bargains at a legendary flea market that takes in everything from arts and antiques to one-off home furnishings, vintage clothes, accessories, and every type of collectible you could imagine.
All that shopping is hungry work, so be sure to visit the resident food trucks for tacos, hot dogs, churros, and other treats. There’s a modest entry fee, so bring enough cash for food and purchases too, as not every vendor accepts cards.
Location: 6920 Mannheim Rd, Rosemont, IL 60018, USA
Open: Sunday from 6 am to 2 pm (closed on Monday–Saturday)
Phone: +1 847-524-9590
Wolff’s Flea Market
9. Richard’s Fabulous Finds
Retro menswear store with a flair for fashion
Good for: Shoppers
Expect stellar service and snazzy fashion finds at Chicago’s much-loved vintage menswear store, catering to Chicago’s most style-conscious gentlemen. The titular Richard curates his delightful clothing collection with great care and will offer friendly, thoughtful advice whenever it’s needed.
Located near Humboldt Park, the store is a high fashion treasure trove of desirable menswear items, from vintage designer suits to ties, shoes, and hats. Whether you want to create a memorable look for a themed party or just pick up classic fashions at wallet-friendly prices, this enticing vintage store is the place to come.
Location: 2545 W North Ave, Chicago, IL 60647, USA
Open: Wednesday–Saturday from noon to 7 pm, Sunday from noon to 5 pm (closed Mondays and Tuesdays)
Phone: +1 773-943-0710
Richard’s Fabulous Finds
10. Lost Eras
Historic vintage store with an incredible collection
Good for: Shoppers, Unusual
Offering chic antiques since 1975, Lost Eras expanded into vintage clothes and costumes in 1985 and has become synonymous with vintage shopping in Chicago. The family-run business has close to 1 million items, from vintage fashions to scene-stealing props and costumes, and a visit here is a real treat for anyone with even a passing interest in antiques and stylish vintage items.
Located in Rogers Park, the vast store entices with its eclectic furnishings, fashionable accessories, and stylish shoes. It’s well worth setting aside a decent chunk of time to really explore the collections, which are curated with flair by the knowledgeable and passionate owners. Come here in a rush, and you might miss out on some real treats.
Location: 1511 W Howard St, Chicago, IL 60626, USA
Open: Monday–Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm (closed on Sundays)
Phone: +1 773-764-7400
Lost Eras
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