Birmingham thrift & consignment stores have cool treasures, support worthwhile nonprofits
Reading time: 5 minutes
If you’re like me, you overspent during the holiday season on gifts, entertaining and this year, in my case, on a Colorado ski trip for New Years. If your budget is a little stretched, but you still want to scratch that shopping itch, consider these great thrift stores and consignment stores in the Birmingham area.
Seems like some local fashionistas and amazing decorators also search through these thrift stores for one for a kind treasures.
Nowadays all of us seem to have a ‘thrifter’ somewhere inside of us or at least know someone who gets excited at the thought of a Goodwill run, or a Habitat Restore visit.
New to thrifting? Click here to read PopSugar’s 11 Expert Tips For Finding the Best Hidden Thrift Store Gems.
It’s in the blood
I’m just the typical guy who doesn’t really like shopping, but as a kid I was dragged by my folks to all kinds of thrift stores, antique malls and off-beat junk stores.
Sports Equipment: I found my all time favorite, perfectly worn, soft leather Nakona baseball glove at a thrift store, used it for years as a kid and I still treasure it.
Then I ended up dating a thrifter/artist, designer and all around eclectic girl…who loves Anthropologic and a great thrift store find. So here I am writing about Birmingham’s really good thrift store world. Take a look at what I’ve discovered.
Furniture and home decor accents
Birmingham Habitat ReStore.Habitat ReStore is a 30,000 square foot discount home improvement center packed with new and used household items – furniture, appliances, windows, doors, flooring and more. All those DIY Pinterest projects can be a reality after a visit here. 7952 Crestwood Boulevard, Irondale. (205) 951-1234. Monday–Friday 8:00 am-7:00 pm.
At the Mission Possible Bargain Center, you’ll find a little bit of everything, including clothing, home decor, electronics and a lot more. The Mission Possible Bargain Center benefits the Jimmie Hale Mission. (800 Green Springs Hwy)
Lovelady Thrift is located in a former Circuit City building, and it’s a a big one. The 36,900 sq ft building has furniture, books, clothes and dishes. Sales benefit the Lovelady Center – a charity that changes the lives of women as they leave prison and enter back into society. 7720 Ludington Ln. Irondale.
Vapor Thrift Store Locations Vapor Thrift Stores are clean, organized and well stocked with some really good stuff; furniture, books, art and clothing. And donating is a cinch with quick processing, great incentives and online scheduling of pickups. Vapor Thrift Stores partner with local churches and civic groups to help alleviate poverty in our immediate area and internationally. 5443 Highway 280, Birmingham
(205)639.1077.
Mid-century dining set from Vapor.
Mirrors: It’s a shock to see what a mirror costs at a big box retail store…not happening! Find a heavy, quality antique version at a local antique/thrift store for less than $30.
Glassware: Never leave a thrift store without glancing through this aisle. Grab a couple of cool beer mugs and glasses for a dollar a piece. Can’t beat a heavy, classic coffee mug as your go-cup in the morning.
Encore. Assistance League of Birmingham has opened Encore, an upscale thrift shop. Ladies clothes and accessories, household items, rugs and art are all for sale at very low prices. Find your perfect treasure at Homewood’s newest thrift store. Encore is located inside PrimeTime Treasures at 1755 Oxmoor Road. Hours are Tuesday – Saturday, 10:00 am to 4:30 pm.
Clothing: Look for classic styles and vintage leather!
On a recent trip to NYC, I was amazed at the pop-up shops all over Manhattan that were selling “vintage” flannel shirts and classic Levis. The soft, worn flannels were going for $50-$75, and the jeans were over $100. Cool leather belts and jackets were being sold for $100-$200. FOR A BELT FOLKS!
Zoe’s in Forest Park. You should know about this cool place. The men’s selection is limited, but very good. Sometimes pricey, but not pricey like a regular retail store…Levi’s, great leather jackets and classic cashmere and wool sweaters. Zoe’s has a huge choice of women’s clothing. High end brands and vintage. 3900 Clairmont Ave S.. Birmingham, (205) 595-9049.
Via- Zoe’s Facebook.upscale thrift marketplace designed to create sustainable income for Sozo Children, a non-profit ministry caring for children who have been orphaned or neglected in Uganda, Africa. Monday – Saturday 10AM – 6PM . 4 41st St S, Birmingham.
The traditional place to pop a tag, or do a little goodwill hunting are both the Salvation Army store and Goodwill.
Though this year I’ve resolved to donate more than we purchase, I can still find a good leather belt, or a cool vintage book every time we stop by to drop off our donations.
The Homewood Salvation Army store is clean, organized and stocked with great clothing and furniture. But they go fast! My recent score was a brand new large dehumidifier, new with tags for only $35 (retail $250.)
809 Greensprings Hwy (Corner of Carr Ave. and Greensprings Hwy.)
Homewood,(205) 942-8484. Monday – Saturday, 10 AM – 8 PM
And don’t forget to checkout the Goodwill Store. 2350 Greensprings HWY, Birmingham, (205) 323-6331. Always something cool and unexpected, and they have new Target closeouts.
Did we miss a few places? let us know. And if you aren’t a thrifter, please consider donating, many of all these Birmingham spots do really good work for the community, and can use your awesome cast-offs!
