By Mary Ann Humphrey
Resale shopping isn’t for the faint of heart. Dedicated thrift shoppers brave the dust and the piles of previously owned items to find unique pieces. It’s the thrill of the hunt that drives many bargain shoppers. And while it can be frustrating to search for a specific item, patience and a good eye are key ingredients to finding a score.
The Ann Arbor Thrift Shop
annarborthriftshop.org
The Ann Arbor Thrift Shop is a well-organized store that looks more like a boutique than a resale shop. Small household goods, dishware, clothing, books, shoes, and jewelry are nicely displayed and easily accessible. This is a good place to find higher-end clothing for a fraction of the retail cost.
Ann Arbor PTO Thrift Shop
Hours: 9am–7pm, Monday-Friday; 9am–6pm, Saturday; 11am–7pm, Sunday
Clothes Mentor
339 N. Maple Rd., Ann Arbor.
Hours: 10am-8pm, Monday-Saturday; 11am-5pm, Sunday.
clothesmentor.com
The Clothes Mentor focuses on women’s resales fashion. It’s a nationwide resale brand that serves communities in their in-person stores as well as online. You’re able to sell your gently used clothing that has plenty of life left for either cash or in-store credit. They have a lot of name-brand items, so patrons are able to find anything fashion-related they’re looking for! They stick closely to supporting their community with a low carbon footprint and believe in sustainable clothing. Although the pricing isn’t always what you’d expect from a thrift store, it does sell designer brands for a significant discount.
Kiwanis Thrift Sale Downtown
100 N. Staebler Rd., Suite C, Ann Arbor.
Hours: 9am-Noon, Saturdays
kiwanissale.com
New 2 U Thrift Shop
1788 E. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti
Hours: 10am-5pm, Tuesday-Friday, 10am-4pm, Saturday.
new2ufromsteveandk.com
New 2U Thrift Store works to provide family-friendly items at a family-friendly price. Their online store shows more than just the clothing they offer. With a variety of goods, New 2U is a great place to look. Their mission is to continue to help the community find affordable clothing that is clean to wear out of the store if you so choose. Check their online store to see a sample of the items they have in stock!
Nu2U Again Resale Shop
1311 E. Michigan Ave., Saline.
Hours: Noon-6pm, Monday-Friday; Noon-5pm, Saturday
nu2uagainresale.com
Nu2U Again is a great thrift shop to visit to help support the community. This store often partners with Saline Area Schools Special Education, Liberty Club, Eisenhower Center, Life Enrichment Academy, and other organizations to provide job coaching to ensure the success of their employees. Nu2U Again works on celebrating the differences of people in our community, primarily hiring students and adults with disabilities. What’s more, proceeds from Nu2U Again will be donated to special needs organizations within the Saline Community and provide a scholarship for a Connecting student at Saline High School.
The Resale Boutique
206 W. Michigan Ave., Saline
Hours: Noon-7pm, Thursday; Noon-5pm, Friday-Saturday
theresaleboutique.com
The Resale Boutique is similar in goods as the Clothes Mentor in that it carries a lot of high-end, designer fashions. Although the discounts aren’t exactly what some would call thrifty, it is a substantial discount from the original designer prices. How often can you find a Vera Bradly bag for $25? It’s a great place for those who want to be fashionable yet still stay on a budget.
The Share House
5161 Jackson Rd., Ann Arbor.
Hours: 10am-5pm, Monday-Friday; 9am-4pm, Saturday
facebook.com/sharehouseaa
The Share House has just about anything you could possibly want. From furniture to clothing, this place can be a one-stop shop for those looking to furnish their homes and dressers on a budget. The store also takes donations of certain items, so if you find you have a surplus of items and are ready to donate them, the Share House hosts a few hours a day where they can take in sizable donations. This thrift store is a non-profit organization, so you can rest assured that your items aren’t being resold to make someone else rich.
Top Drawer
1960 S. Industrial Hwy., Ann Arbor
Hours: 11am-7pm, Monday-Saturday
topdrawera2.com.
This consignment shop has a variety of high fashion items by high-end designers for patrons to pick up. You’re able to find a few name brands at a relatively good discount by searching the racks at Top Drawer. Being a designer thrift shop, it does come off as being more pricy than some of the other consignment shops on this list. However, you are purchasing top-of-the-line brands, so it sort of balances out depending on what you’re looking for.
The Thrift Depot
19 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti
Hours: Noon-7pm, Tuesday; 10am-5pm, Wednesday-Friday; 9am-Noon, Saturday
thethriftdepot.com
When you donate to the Thrift Depot, you know you’re donating to a business that wants the community to be better. Their mission is to help support people in our community who are facing homelessness. They do this by partnering with local organizations to help provide shoes, clothing, and other essentials to people in need at no cost. Donating to this business will not only help you clean out your home or closet, but it also helps some of the most vulnerable people in our community. It’s a great way to pick up some great thrift store finds while also helping those in our community who need it most.
Ypsilanti Thrift Shop
14 S. Washington STt, Ypsilanti
Hours: 1-4pm, Monday; Noon-6pm, Tuesday; 10am-4pm, Wednesday-Thursday; 1-4pm, Friday; 11am-2pm, Saturday
ypsithriftshop.org
The Ypsilanti Thrift Shop has been a part of our community since 1942, and no one who works at the store gets paid. Ypsilanti Thrift Shop is a volunteer-run thrift shop where all profits are donated to local charities. The store sells a variety of items, from clothing for men, women, and children, to household items and countertop appliances, you are sure to find a hidden treasure in this thrift shop. Additionally, if you’re looking to help the community, this location is always happy to take volunteers or donations. Be sure to check out their website for more information!