🛍️ QUICK ANSWER: Chicago’s best thrift stores include Brown Elephant (4 locations, benefits Howard Brown Health), Kokorokoko in Wicker Park for ’80s/’90s vintage, Monarch Thrift Shop in Logan Square, and Goodwill West Loop for designer finds at budget prices. Pro tip: Unique has half-price Mondays!
⭐ QUICK PICKS
🏆 Best Overall: Brown Elephant (Lakeview)
💎 Best for Designer Finds: Elliott Consignment
🎨 Best for ’80s/’90s: Kokorokoko
🏠 Best for Home Décor: Monarch Thrift Shop
💰 Best Budget: Unique (half-price Mondays!)
👔 Best for Menswear: Richard’s Fabulous Finds
There’s nothing quite like the thrill of thrifting in Chicago—you never know what you’ll uncover. Maybe it’s a stunning piece of estate-sale jewelry, a long-forgotten crystal vase from a North Shore mansion, or a vintage Levi’s jacket with perfect patina.
I’m always on the hunt for eclectic treasures: Italian majolica, a discarded Staffordshire dog, a vintage jade bracelet. The city’s thrift stores are filled with stories waiting to be rediscovered, and half the fun is the hunt!
Here are 25 of the best thrift stores in Chicago—from quirky vintage shops to budget-friendly secondhand stores—organized by neighborhood.
Interactive Chicago Thrift Store Map
North Side Thrift Stores
The Brown Elephant — 4 Locations
📍 Lakeview: 3020 N. Lincoln Ave. | Andersonville: 5404 N. Clark St.
📍 Belmont: 812 W. Belmont Ave. | Oak Park: 217 Harrison St.
My hands-down favorite for treasure hunting antiques. This sprawling, well-curated thrift store benefits Howard Brown Health and now has four locations. Each visit is different—I’ve found everything from mid-century furniture to designer handbags. Don’t miss it.
Elliott Consignment — 2 Locations
📍 Lincoln Park: 2711 N. Clark St. | Lakeview: 3015 N. Broadway
Looking for a secondhand Barbour jacket or last season’s Celine purse? This upscale consignment shop features discounted prices on high-end items. The Lincoln Park location is near DePaul campus.
Unique
📍 Irving Park: 3748 N. Elston Ave.
One of the biggest thrift stores in Chicago with multiple locations. Large inventory of clothing at great prices—and everything is half-price on Mondays!
Salvation Army Family Store
📍 Lincoln Park: 2270 N. Clybourn Ave.
A must-stop if you’re visiting Chicago on a budget. Proceeds fund their Adult Rehabilitation Centers.
Crossroads Trading
📍 Lincoln Park: 2711 N. Clark St.
One of my favorites—this buy/sell/trade chain has a unique collection at each location. Great for family adventures too.
Out of the Closet
📍 Lakeview: 3311 N. Halsted St.
Unique store offering clothes, shoes, and accessories—with a portion of proceeds benefiting AIDS charities. Also offers free HIV testing.
Mercy Beaucoup Resale Boutique
📍 Old Town: 1545 N. Wells St.
High-end resale boutique with brand-name items at thrift store prices. Benefits Mercy Home for Boys & Girls—recently named one of the “13 Best Thrift Stores in Chicago” by Sustainable Jungle.
Lost Girls Vintage
📍 Andersonville: 5268 N. Clark St.
Travel back in time with fashion and accessories from the 1930s to 1990s, plus contemporary goods from local makers. One of the founders of the new national Vintage Shop Day (May 17).
West Side Thrift Stores
Monarch Thrift Shop
📍 Logan Square: 2875 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Voted Best Thrift Store of Logan Square. Quality merchandise in a boutique environment—from couture labels to household decorations. Helps reduce recidivism and rebuild lives.
Kokorokoko
📍 Wicker Park: 1323 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Chicago’s #1 destination for ’80s and ’90s vintage since 2009. Bright, funky store with clothing, accessories, books, and housewares. Everything under $100. The Bear’s costume department and Charli XCX are fans!
Vintage House
📍 Wicker Park
New for 2025! Chicago thrifter Maddie Rogers opened this flagship after years of pop-ups. Designed to feel like a friend’s living room with impeccable décor and inventory spanning all eras and sizes.
Goodwill West Loop
📍 West Loop: 1201 W. Washington Blvd.
Don’t let the chic address fool you—this Goodwill is packed with treasure hunters from open to close. Last time I visited, someone walked out with two pair of like-new Louboutins and a vintage tail-wagging cat clock.
Richard’s Fabulous Finds
📍 Wicker Park: 2545 W. North Ave.
A hidden gem for luxury menswear from the 1930s to 1970s. Proprietor Richard Biasi previously dressed high-end clientele at Bloomingdale’s and Ralph Lauren.
Harlequin Vintage
📍 Wicker Park: 1418 W. Division St.
Everything here has a story—which is what you want from a vintage store. The owner is friendly and knowledgeable about the inventory.
The Goody Vault
📍 By Appointment Only
The costume department of The Bear and Charli XCX shop here! Founded by Emanuel Edwards, this shop offers secondhand clothing from the 1920s to ’90s—each piece mended or customized. Find them via online store or pop-ups.
Let’s Change Resale Shoppe
📍 Humboldt Park: 1664 N. California Ave.
Nostalgia shop packed with clothes, shoes, accessories, small furniture, home décor, and vintage items.
Alex’s Attic
📍 Humboldt Park: 2733 N. Milwaukee Ave.
Vast range of secondhand items—vintage clothing, accessories, home goods, furniture, and one-of-a-kind finds for the whole family.
Nice Twice Resale Shop
📍 West Town: 1949 W. Chicago Ave.
Eccentric collection of new and used clothes, décor, antiques, collectibles, and household items.
Luvsick Plus
📍 Logan Square
Chicago’s first plus-size thrift and vintage store, carrying sizes large and up. Feels like the living room of a cool neighbor with an amazing closet. Mostly ’60s and ’70s pieces.
South Side Vintage & Thrift Shops
Knee Deep Vintage
📍 Pilsen: 1219 W. 18th St.
Fashion-forward vintage specializing in harder-to-find gems from the ’20s to ’50s. Opened in 2008 by locals tired of traveling to the North Side for cool finds.
So Happy You’re Here Vintage
📍 Bridgeport: 3331 S. Halsted St.
Vintage clothing, art, and everything in between. They restore, repair, remake, and repurpose everything secondhand. Personalized shopping experience—owner Gilda Norris will bring out something perfect for you.
Village Discount Outlet
📍 Chicago Lawn: 6419 S. Kedzie Ave. (+ multiple locations)
Chicago-local chain with vast inventory—clothing, furniture, décor, and more. Classic treasure hunt with walls of CDs next to vintage glassware next to used blouses.
Bonus: North Side & Suburban Gems
Lost Eras
📍 Rogers Park
Like stepping into a time warp—15,000 square feet with 50,000+ pieces in stock. One of the city’s largest selections of costumes and props for rent.
Store B Vintage
📍 Edgewater
High-end vintage including Valentino, YSL, Marmi, and Prada. Every piece carefully selected and repaired before going on the floor.
Upscale Rummage
📍 Libertyville: 801 E. Park Ave.
Worth the trip outside the city! Unique thrifting experience with gently used items of exceptional quality.
💡 PRO TIP: May 17 is the new Vintage Shop Day—founded by two Chicago-based boutiques! Look for pop-ups, exclusive sales, and in-store events at 80+ shops across Illinois.
Each of these stores has its own charm and selection. Happy hunting—you never know what treasures you’ll find!