Grand Rapids is bursting with local shopping destinations that will help you maintain your personal style in eco-friendly and budget-conscious fashion. Our consignment shops and thrift stores are diverse, attractively merchandised and full of wonderful surprises.
If you’re an avid shopper of gently used clothing and home items, or you’re venturing out to a secondhand store for the first time, we’ve got store recommendations and shopping tips for you!
Secondhand Shops
As the name implies, secondhand shops are stocked with previously used items. These shops typically purchase their inventory directly from individuals or other retailers, choosing items that fit their aesthetic and the customers they want to serve. The result is a curated collection of quality goods at lower prices than you’d pay buying new. You’ll save money and do the planet some good by diverting used items from landfills and conserving resources that would be expended in manufacturing new products.
Some secondhand stores operate on a consignment basis, selling items on behalf of their original owners, who receive a percentage of the selling price. Selling clothes and other goods at a consignment shop can be a great way to make extra money on trendy items sitting in your closet that you just don’t wear anymore.
In addition to thrifted clothing and home decor, OTONO sells handcrafted spoon rings.
Photo by Courtesy of OTONO
Downtown Grand Rapids
Division Avenue in downtown Grand Rapids is home to a diverse collection of secondhand stores, making for a fun and efficient shopping trip:
The August Connection: You’ll find vintage clothing and accessories all ages and sizes here. The owners constantly source and replenish their stock based on customer requests and trends.
Crow’s Hold Vendor Market: Inspired by the crow’s eye for the rare and radiant, Crow’s Hold is a retail boutique for high-end, handcrafted and unique finds – including vintage and antique clothing, jewelry and furniture. The 20,000 sq. ft. market hosts 80+ vendors in highly personalized “storefronts.”
Decaydence Vintage: Focused on items dating from the 1950s through Y2K, Decaydence Vintage offers a curated mix of gently used clothing, furniture, toys, home décor and more – including a huge selection of concert t-shirts and other graphic tees.
OTONO : Building community, creating change and selling a curated collection of uniquely designed clothing are at the heart of this thoughtful shop. The space changes weekly with new finds – everything from clothing and home décor to spoon rings. It offers store credit for trading in your secondhand clothes. It’s also the site of Café OTONO, which serves coffee, tea and pastries.
Rewind: Vintage clothing and collectibles, from tees and sports jerseys to trading cards and model kits, await you at this attractively merchandised store. Shop here to “express creativity, recycle the planet and look sick!”
Khloe Mae Bridal: This store specializes in bridal dresses, bridesmaid dresses, ‘mother of’ dresses, prom and homecoming dresses, and formal accessories. The knowledgeable and attentive staff will help you choose just the right wardrobe for your special day.
Second Vibess: Sustainability meets creativity at Second Vibess, where vintage clothing shares space with “upcycled” pieces personally refashioned by the store owners. This is the place to find truly one-of-a-kind items.
Small Earth: Offering men’s and women’s clothing from the 1930s through the 1990s, Small Earth is a vendor space inside Lost & Found - Treasures of Old & New, a downtown antique and vintage store.
Zabház: Shop a curated selection of vintage clothing and home goods at Zabház, which strives to make everyone feel welcome. “You are safe to walk through the door and be unapologetically yourself,” says owner Janna Maris.
Better Aged Vintage offers a focused selection of 90s and post-90s clothing, including Levi’s jeans and retro outerwear.
Photo by Alina Albin for Experience GR
Uptown GR
Better Aged Vintage: Nicely curated and organized store specializes in vintage clothing from the 1990s and later, including Levi’s denim, t-shirt, sports-related sweatshirts and jackets, and outerwear for men and women.
Freshwater Whale Boutique : You’ll find a wide variety of clothing for all ages, from infants to adult women, at this consignment boutique and art gallery in Eastown. Shop here for carefully selected pieces from American Eagle, Crewcuts, Hanna Andersson, Patagonia, Vineyard Vines and many other brands you know and love.
Homebody: Offers a curated collection of new and “pre-loved” clothing, shoes and accessories – from trendy finds and timeless staples to one-of-a-kind treasures. The store’s warm, welcoming vibe includes honorary shop greeter Sunnie, a cockapoo puppy.
Rock Paper Scissors : Shop affordably, in style, at Rock Paper Scissors in their historic building this chic resale shop offering men’s, women’s and gender-neutral fashions and accessories. The local consignment store is home to "on-trend, gently worn items from style-conscious people like you." What's not to love?
Urban Exchange : Energetic and fun, Urban Exchange is known for their wide selection of upscale denim, as well as styling women's outfits from separates to accessories. Stop in this consignment store for friendly service and wardrobe inspiration!
Windsor Cottage : Located right next door to Vivant Brewery + Spirits, Windsor Cottage has been a treasured source of top-notch resale furniture for more than three decades. The store also stocks artwork, mirrors, rugs, lamps and other household items.
Northeast
Found & Forged Market : This Cedar Springs store hosts vendor booths selling vintage and antique finds as well as artisan crafts.
Gild The Lily : This Rockford consignment store specializes in high-end women’s and men’s clothing, shoes and accessories from well-known brands. The staff is adept at helping customers find and put together great outfits.
LBD Exchange Consignment Boutique : Shop for new and like-new women’s clothing, accessories, shoes, jewelry and bags at this Rockford store, from brands like Ann Taylor, Banana Republic, J Crew, DKNY, Kate Spade and many more.
Northwest
Captain Bizarro’s Treasure World: “Enormous amounts of ridiculously cool stuff” is the promise at this West Leonard Street shop, is stocked with a treasure trove of secondhand goods, from clothing and jewelry to toys and books.
Flashback on Leonard: Another West Leonard business, Flashback showcases authentic vintage clothing from the past few decades plus costumes and collectibles for men and women.
Once Upon a Child - Walker : One of two local franchisees of a national consignment store brand stocks a huge selection of gently used kid’s clothes, toys and baby gear at up to 70% off retail.
Pathway Market : This store is packed full of furniture, appliances, home décor items, electronics, books and much more, all handpicked from the collections of senior citizens who have downsized into smaller homes. It’s essentially a six-day-a-week estate sale.
Plato's Closet - Walker: Local affiliate of a national chain buys and sells gently used clothes, shoes and accessories for young men and women, primarily teens and twenty-somethings. This is the place for high-quality apparel that is stylish, affordable and very “now.”
Play It Again Sports: This national chain is the place to find quality secondhand baseball bats, weights, golf clubs and all sorts of other sporting goods and fitness equipment. You can also sell your gear and get paid on the spot, or trade up for what you need now.
Uptown Cheapskate - Walker: Locally owned, nationally branded thrift and consignment store carries a wide selection of clothing and accessories for men and women. Bring in your gently used clothing for cash on the spot or 25% more in-store credit.
WearForward in Lowell is redefining fashion with its zero/low-waste approach, offering stylish clothing and accessories with compostable, plantable tags.
Photo by Alina Albin for Experience GR
Southeast
Plato’s Closet - Grand Rapids : Local affiliate of a national chain offers gently used clothing and accessories for young men and women, primarily teens and twenty-somethings.
Runway Angels Consignment Boutique: Upscale ladies’ consignment boutique thoughtfully curates a fabulous collection of designer handbags, stylish clothing and beautiful accessories.
Style Encore: Local outlet of a national consignment store buys and sells brand-name casual and business attire and accessories for men and women.
Style Restoration: Located in the Gaslight Village district of East Grand Rapids, Style Restoration is all about upscale resale. It offers an exceptional selection of high-end, new and used fashions – primarily for women, but there are some men’s pieces sprinkled in.
Uptown Cheapskate - Kentwood : Local affiliate of national resale chain pays cash on the spot for gently used apparel, handbags and accessories, and sells them for up to 70% off mall prices – making it a great place to shop for young-adult fashions.
Village Kids Consignment Boutique : This fantastic consignment boutique houses clothing for kids from newborn to young teen. Brands like Lilly Pulitzer, Justice and Matilda Jane are displayed alongside other well-known makers. Children's accessories and handmade articles round out the offerings at Village Kids in Ada.
WearForward : Billing itself as “West Michigan’s first zero/low-waste consignment shop,” this Lowell retailer labels its gently used women’s clothing items with 100% compostable tags that will grow wildflowers if planted in soil. You’ll find a wide range of fashions and accessories here, reflecting many different aesthetics.
Southwest
Clothesline Consignments : Located in Byron Center, this shop carries new and gently used men’s, women’s and children’s clothes and accessories, including maternity wear, plus sizes, bridal and formal wear, and jewelry. You’ll find home décor items, too.
The Elevated Market and Greenhouse : Two stores, one address 10 minutes from downtown GR. Together, they offer 40,000 sq. ft. of vintage, antique and artisan clothing, furniture, décor art and more from 150+ vendors. The Glasshouse also hosts an indoor flea market every Saturday and Sunday with about 70 vendor spaces.
Once Upon a Child - Wyoming : One of two local franchisees of a national consignment store brand stocks a huge selection of gently used kid’s clothes, toys and baby gear at up to 70% off retail.
Plato’s Closet Grandville : Local affiliate of a national consignment chain buys and sells trendy secondhand clothing for teens and young adults.
Uptown Cheapskate - Grandville : “Would I sell this to my best friend?” is the curation criteria for this national brand, which is stocked with a wide and ever-changing selection of men’s and women’s fashions and accessories.
Secondhand shopping tips:
Go when you have time: No one enjoys feeling rushed when they’re shopping, especially when there are so many items to go through. Think of secondhand shopping as an experience and come prepared to take it on!
Shop outside your typical size range: Each brand fits differently and vintage sizes are very different from sizes today. Grab items you like and try them on.
Pro-Tip: Wearing a camisole or undershirt makes it quicker to try on tops and jackets.
Check the go-back racks: Let other shoppers do the browsing for you by going through the items they pass on. It’s easy to grab a few more things before heading into the dressing room.
Look for structural integrity: When shopping for furniture, make sure the piece is stable and functional. Examine surfaces for water damages, scrapes and gouges.
Use Google Lens: Google Lens allows you to take a picture of an item and reverse image search it, bringing up exact or similar matches. That can help you distinguish between a good deal and a great one.
Good luck on your journey through Grand Rapids’ consignment shops and thrift stores – we hope you find all sorts of treasures you can’t live without!
Thrift Stores
If you love the thrill of the hunt, you’ll love thrifting. Unlike secondhand shops, thrift stores accept donations – which means you’ll find a large quantity of items, from name-brand items with the tag still on to grandma’s sweater. You may have to look a little harder to find items that speak to you … but the hunt can be a lot of fun. Best of all, your purchases often go to help people and organizations in need.
The Acorn Resale Shop: Located near Bostwick Lake in Rockford, this offers a variety of gently used items – clothing, furniture, books and more – with proceeds going to help kids attend camp.
Goodwill : With multiple locations in the greater Grand Rapids area, chances are there’s a location near you. Offering both women’s and men’s clothing, plus books, records, CDs, DVDs, sporting goods, computers, furniture, small appliances, hardware, linens and so much more, you’re likely to find something you just have to have.
Legacy Thrift: Stores in Grand Rapids, Grandville, Jenison and Kentwood sell gently used clothing and other goods to benefit Christian ministries.
Helping Hands Mission Thrift : This Mission Store is located on Leonard Street in the city’s West Side neighborhood. This shops puts the community first! Not only do they donate proceeds to local charities, but they also created a voucher program to help provide clothing to neighbors in need.
Mel Trotter Ministries Thrift Stores: Mel Trotter Ministries serves local residents experiencing hunger or homelessness, and its thrift stores help support that mission. Shop for a huge variety of items at stores in Grand Rapids , Belding, Caledonia, Hudsonville, Jenison , Kentwood, Sparta and Walker.
Mission India Super Thrift : Your purchase of clothing, furniture, books, houseware items and more at this shop northeast of downtown GR help benefit three India-based Christian ministries.
New Life Thrift Store : Your purchase of gently used clothing, shoes, furniture, housewares, sporting equipment, tools and more at this Wyoming store help benefit five Grand Rapids-area Christian schools.
New 2 You Shoppe : This upscale thrift shop near Woodland Mall is stocked with clothing, housewares, furniture, sporting goods, toys, baby items and more, with new selections daily.
ReNew Upscale Thrift : This Kentwood store offers a wide variety of clothing, furniture, home décor and other items at great prices. Proceeds support local NorthPointe Christian School.
Nice Twice Resale Shoppe: Grandville store sells gently used clothing, shoes, furniture, household items and unique vintage finds to support Grandville Calvin Christian Schools.
Rustic Market: Open in 1971, this shop sells clothing and accessories, household goods, furniture, toys and much more to benefit the Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services Patient Assistant Fund.
Westside Apostolate Thrift Store: This non-profit shop offers great bargains on donated clothes, furniture, household items, toys and more. They’re focused on helping people down on their luck but everyone is welcome to shop.
Looking for more vintage items? Check out Grand Rapids antique stores, comic book shops, used bookstores and vinyl record shops.
