Thrift stores to check out for students on a budget
It’s time to add thrifting to your list of fun activities this summer
The Salvation Army is a budget-friendly thrift store with a wide variety of items. (Shaina Garces)
Whether it’s looking for unique statement pieces to add to your wardrobe or quirky home décor, thrift stores are a great place to satisfy your shopping needs.
It’s a special type of thrill to browse a thrift store and come across a rare band tee, a vintage copy of your favourite book, or a painting that just screams “You.”
Shopping second hand versus brand new is much more affordable, especially for items you wouldn’t want to break the bank by buying, such as desk organizers, mugs, backpacks, and belts. It’s great for students who are on a budget or those who love to shop but want to be environmentally conscious.
Here are four great thrift stores I recommend checking out:
The Salvation Army
Where: Surrey (multiple locations)
This is my go-to thrift store since the prices are very budget friendly and you can get crafty with what you find. They have an array of home décor, furniture, dinnerware, art, vinyls, and DVDs. It’s an adventure to explore the items in each section, and there tends to be special finds hiding where others are too lazy to look. The book section is my favourite to sift through, since paperbacks and hardcover books are all under $5. I have seen whole box sets of different book series here, so don’t miss out.
Talize
Where: Delta and Langley
Talize is super passionate about the sustainable fashion movement and they provide a wide range of sizes for everyone. This is a great place to look for cosplay outfits or Halloween costumes. The clothes are arranged by colour, so it’s always easy to find what you need. I’ve also noticed brand names tend to show up at Talize at a huge discount. Similar to The Salvation Army, they also have appliances, books, and fun little knick-knacks to decorate your house with.
Cherry Pick Vintage
Where: Langley and Vancouver
For those who feel overwhelmed by the countless racks at big thrift stores like the ones mentioned above, Cherry Pick Vintage is your answer. Not only do they play chill music to set the ambiance for your ideal thrifting experience, but their prices have stayed reasonable for a well-curated vintage shop. You’re bound to find some cool graphic tees, fun patterned pants, or sturdy vintage jackets here. Some added bonuses are the friendly employees, comfy seating area, and large change rooms.
Orange Crush Velvet
Where: New Westminster
While the prices for clothes here are higher than at commercial thrift stores, Orange Crush Velvet saves you time and energy as the two very fashionable owners carefully curate the selection down to rare, well sought-after vintage items. One of my favourite shirts I’ve ever thrifted — an oversized, early punk band tee — is from this store.
If you’re a book lover, this shop is for you, too. They have fit an impressive number of books in a small space, from rare vintage copies of classic novels to special editions of popular books from all genres. The timeless treasures sitting around at this thrift store cannot be missed.
