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 second-hand store for the first time, we’ve got store recommendations and shopping tips for you!
Thrift Stores
If you love the thrill of the hunt, you’ll love thrifting. Unlike consignment 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.
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.
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, Jenison, Kentwood and Sparta. A Clearance Store is located in downtown GR.
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.
In addition to thrifted clothing and home decor, OTONO sells handcrafted spoon rings.
Photo by OTONO
Consignment Shops
Consignment stores have a more curated selection of clothing since customers bring items in to sell, and an employee sorts through them, choosing what is appropriate for the store’s inventory. 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.
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.
Elevated Grand Rapids: This charming antique shop about 10 minutes south of downtown GR is full of treasures, including a dedicated section with thoughtfully curated vintage clothes. From groovy ‘70s dresses to timeless vintage denim, the collection will bring you on a journey through style eras of the past. There's even a fitting room!.
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.
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.
Once Upon a Child – Walker and Wyoming: Two local franchisees of a national consignment store brand both stock a huge selection of gently used kid’s clothes, toys and baby gear at up to 70% off retail.
OTONO: Building community, creating change and selling a curated collection of uniquely designed clothing are at the heart of this thoughtful shop located on Division Ave. in downtown Gr. The space changes weekly with new finds– everything from clothing and home décor to spoon rings.
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 – Grand Rapids and Grandville: Local affiliates of a national consignment chain offer gently used clothing 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.”
Red Barn Consignment & Antiques: This Lowell shop is a great place to hunt for vintage furniture and home décor items as well as a wide and whimsical selection of artisan goods, fashions, food treats and so much more. Allow yourself plenty of time to browse.
Rock Paper Scissors: Shop affordably, in style, at Rock Paper Scissors in their historic building. This local consignment store is home to "on-trend, gently worn items from style-conscious people like you." What's not to love?
Second Dance Bridal & Formal Consignment: This downtown 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.
Uptown Cheapskate – Grandville and Kentwood: “Would I sell this to my best friend?” is the curation criteria at this national consignment chain, which has two area locations. Both stores are stocked with a wide and ever-changing selection of men’s and women’s fashions and accessories.
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 for friendly service and wardrobe inspiration!
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.
Windsor Cottage: Located in the trendy Uptown neighborhood, 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.
Second-hand 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 second-hand 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!