Chicago’s best thrift stores for secondhand, vintage and resale shopping

The Goody Vault has, well...the goods, counting the costume department of The Bear and Charli XCX among its fans. Founded by Emanuel Edwards, the shop offers secondhand clothing that spans from the 1920s to the '90s and often goes a step further. Edwards mends or customizes each piece, celebrating the craftsmanship and care that makes older clothing so special. The thoughtfully curated storefront, which features a vintage hand-painted Lions Club Picnic banner and other gems, is only accessible by appointment, but don't despair: Shoppers can also find The Goody Vault through its online store and its pop-ups at local businesses like The Center of Order and Experimentation.

Tired of traveling from Brighton Park to the North Side for cool, thrifty finds, Trent Marinelli and Carlos Lourenco took matters into their own hands by opening this vintage shop in Pilsen in 2008. Just off the Pink Line, the conference space-turned-storefront specializes in fashion-forward vintage clothing and accessories, as well as those harder to find gems from the '20s to '50s. Stop in often to score the best steals.

Chicago thrifter Maddie Rogers opened Vintage House's flagship store in Wicker Park in early 2025, after spending years traveling the city for monthly pop-ups and markets. Named for her thrift-flipping home business, Vintage House is designed to feel like a friend's living room. The space is impeccably decorated: prize pieces and a massive mural adorn the walls, and a cozy lounge area features a showstopping pendant chair made of gleaming acrylic. Inventory runs the gamut of eras and sizes, so chances are good that you'll find a closet-defining thrift score here. 

As bold and colorful as its name is fun to say, Kokorokoko celebrates vintage clothes and accessories from the “post hip-hop, pre-Internet” era of the '80s and '90s, as well as the early aughts. As much as it may pain some readers to read “vintage” and “Y2K” in the same sentence, you can't stay mad in the Nickelodeon-painted nostalgic bliss of this Wicker Park shop, browsing through bold prints and unique accessories. 

Browse vintage clothing, accessories, records, furniture and home decor at this tiny but mighty shop. Since Pilsen is among the city's best neighborhoods for vintage shopping, the stock here changes over often, with a steady stream of new items being added to the floor frequently. 

As Chicago's only all-men's vintage shop offering European-inspired menswear, gifts and housewares, Richard's is a destination-worthy stop in Chicago’s vintage clothing circuit. Score silk equestrian print pocket squares, bow ties, plaid blazers, overcoats, hats, vintage luggage, chairs and much more at the North Avenue storefront. If you're especially lucky, you can get styled by Richard himself. For those who can't make the trek, peruse the shop's inventory online via Etsy or eBay. 

Out of its 800-square-foot loft space in Ravenswood's iconic clock tower, Mr. & Mrs. DIGZ offers merchandise that caters to all kinds of shoppers, with a mix of new clothing, luxury designer consignment and handmade goods by more than 50 local designers. Shop online or schedule your own private shopping appointment anytime for a truly customized experience.   

Before opening her brick and mortar Avondale space, Vintage Frills owner Jen Kelly sold vintage treasures out of a Barbie-pink school bus. Now, guests can browse colorful, curated racks for retro clothing, accessories, adorable homewares and more. And if the selection or inviting atmosphere isn't enough reason to stop in (or the prospect of treating yourself to a coffee from The Brewed or a Loaf Lounge pastry afterwards), follow them on IG for info on their fun pop-up events, including drag shows, guest vendors, live music and even an in-store treasure hunt with local clown Shirley Blazen.

Originally opened by Bill and Charlotte Simmons as The Sandpiper in 1969, Lost Eras still feels like stepping into a time warp in the middle of Rogers Park. And you might just get lost in there—with 15,000 square feet worth of real estate and more than 50,000 pieces in stock at any one time, there’s a lot to explore. In addition to vintage clothing and antiques, Lost Eras also has one of the city’s largest selections of costumes and props for rent, so consider them for next year's Halloween getup.

In September 2020, Big Shoulders Church took over Portage Park-based Thrift & Thrive, giving it a new name & a new identity, but the same vast selection and quality service. While the shop's ownership changed hands in 2024, there's still no shortage of bargains on anything from patio furniture to prom dresses to pre-owned Macbook laptops. 

There’s plenty of clothing and accessories to be found in this charming Beverly institution, but it’s the furniture, art and home goods collections that make Root Consignment Company worth the trek. Get brand-name and one-of-a-kind treasures alike, thanks to owner Angela Samila’s eye for curation. Just make sure to leave room in your car for everything you’re inevitably going to want.

These sprawling resale shops (you'll also find locations in Lakeview and Oak Park) are tidy and easy to navigate, with quality clothing (much of it vintage), used furniture and home goods. They take donations, too, leaving you no justification for putting off your spring cleaning.

"Frugality is all about having choices" is the motto at this South Shore shop. What began with owner Asia Teague exploring Facebook Live clothing sales during the onset of Covid has blossomed into a thriving store featuring high-quality new and gently used brand name clothing, shoes, jewelry and accessories. Follow the shop on social media for regular updates on new inventory. 

Crossroads Trading is no stranger to the thrift game—the resale chain has been around since the ’90s. At the brand's Wicker Park storefront, you’ll find top-tier trend items like leather loafers, moto jackets and faux fur. Crossroads is also open to buying new inventory year-round, making it a prime place to score some quick cash. If you’re hoping to sell, don't forget to scope out the Crossroads website to see what’s in demand. 

For an eclectic collection of tchotchkes, decor and clothing, So Happy You're Here is a must-add to your thrift list. Located in the heart of Bridgeport, this South Side gem sells everything from vintage jewelry, upcycled creations, apparel from every decade and so much more. Keep an eye out for pop-ups from local businesses and special $5 deals. 

For more than a decade, Chris Hunt has been going on thrifting journeys across the country to bring Seek’s clientele quality, unique statement pieces of all kinds. The fashions at this Noble Square spot are excellent, but where Seek really shines is home goods and fun little décor treasures, from colorful vintage barware to Macho Man Randy Savage figurines. Check out their Etsy store, or follow their Instagram, where you can catch Hunt modeling the latest hot items and keep up to date on their in-store parties and sales. 

A welcome addition to Milwaukee Avenue in Wicker Park, Bodega Vintage offers both permanent and rotating thrift collections. The storefront invites resellers to sign up for two week slots to offer more stable sales opportunities to roving thrifters. A number of different brands and thrifted specialities can be found in this delightfully eclectic space, with inventory ranging from 1950s letterman jackets to trendy Y2K graphic tees.

Packed to the brim with thrifted and vintage finds, this Edgewater shop demands plenty of time to sift through its goods for one-of-a-kind gems like furniture, housewares, books and plenty of off-the-beaten-path knick-knacks. For those looking to offload some eccentric treasures: The shop accepts donations, and pickup and delivery can also be arranged. 

This consignment chain buys, sells and trades its inventory directly with customers. Look for a mix of designer and vintage clothing, shoes and accessories, all handpicked by Buffalo Exchange’s stylish staff and priced much lower than retail cost.

El Dorado Thrift prides itself on affordability—thrifted pieces go for as low as $4 while designer hungry shoppers can enjoy more high-end items for around $50 a pop. Keep an eye out for the different tag colors that correspond with rotating deals, and check out the shop's frequently updated Instagram to scope out the latest additions.

For more than 30 years, this Lincoln Park shop has been a destination for those in search of thrifty furniture, clothing and housewares. Be sure to check out the designer room for gently used high-end scores from labels like YSL, Prada and Kate Spade. Bonus: The thrift shop raises funds to help Mount Sinai Hospital Systems buy essential equipment, with 100 percent of the proceeds benefitting the organization.

Since its debut in 2015, Avondale's Monarch Thrift Shop has developed a reputation as one of the best secondhand shops in the city, with an easy-to-navigate layout and an eclectic, high-quality range of inventory in the 3,000-square-foot space. Don't sleep on the shop's "Luxe" section, which sometimes boasts rare finds from designers like Stella McCartney, Dior and Michael Kors. And shopping here benefits the community: Monarch is a nonprofit with a mission to break cycles of youth homelessness and reduce recidivism.

If you're looking for a kid-friendly consignment option, look no further than North Center's Kangaroo Kids, which specializes in upscale secondhand clothes, shoes, toys, games and infant accessories. Whether you're looking for superior winter gear, a last-minute baby shower gift or a birthday present your kid will love, the solid selection and friendly staff at Kangaroo Kids will help you find what you need—and probably more.