Columbia U Consignment (CLOSED)

The lack of decor at this tiny thrift shop allows shoppers to focus on the vast mix of consignment duds (expect anything from an 1840s wedding gown to silver-sequined hot pants). It requires some digging on your part, but hidden steals may include a Zac Posen leather shoulder bag ($200), a rope belt ($30) and a cheeky everybody loves a nerdy boy tee ($16). The racks stuffed with prairie dresses ($28–$250) and designer scarves (such as a Christian Dior style for $95) displayed around the store are worth an hour of sifting, but beware of tears and holes. Scan the always-present 50-percent-off rack for cheap jeans and tanks ($8–$12).