The 11 Best Thrift Stores in San Antonio - Roaming Texas (2024)

The 11 Best Thrift Stores in San Antonio - Roaming Texas (1)

You know that feeling you get when you uncover an amazing thrift store find?

That’s what we’re looking for today!

Because sometimes, finding a great thrift store can be just as much of a thrill as finding the stuff inside it!

(Rest assured though, all of the places on today’s list have plenty of gems buried inside, too!)

Whether you’re looking for cool retro finds, amazing vintage clothing, or cheap DIY home supplies, here are my picks for the 11 best thrift stores in San Antonio.

Contents

  • Map of the Best Thrift Stores in San Antonio
  • Thrift City
  • Buffalo Exchange
  • Revolution Thrift
  • Boysville Thrift Store
  • Thrift Town
  • Habitat Home Center
  • Montage
  • Second Chances Thrift Shop
  • Green Door Thrift Shop
  • Clothes Mentor
  • Goodwill

Map of the Best Thrift Stores in San Antonio

Thrift City

Thrift City is one of my favorite thrift shops in San Antonio. Their goods are organized more neatly than other thrift stores, so if you need to find a particular shirt in a certain size, you’ll find it easily at Thrift City. I’m in love with their loyalty program, TC Rewards, which you can use to score sweet discounts. I’ve been able to shave $5 – $10 off my total using my rewards points, so it definitely adds up if you shop at Thrift City regularly.

Buffalo Exchange

Buffalo Exchange is definitely one of the trendier thrift stores I frequent. It’s smaller than other thrift stores in town, but the selection of up-to-date and designer brands definitely makes Buffalo Exchange a must for thrifters. Their focus is mainly on hip clothes for the younger crowd, so if you’re trying to dress a teen on a budget, this is the place to go.

Revolution Thrift

Plenty of thrift shops have a non-profit mission, but Revolution Thrift donates 100% of its profits back to the San Antonio community. If you want to give back while you shop, stop by Revolution Thrift for gently used clothing and household items. They have changing rooms so you can actually try on clothes before you buy them (unlike other thrift shops) and it’s definitely nicer than your run-of-the-mill Goodwill. Plus, their selection is huge! Revolution Thrift specializes in clothes, but you can also pick up kid’s toys, books, and furniture here.

Boysville Thrift Store

Boysville is one of the oldest thrift stores in San Antonio. They’ve been around since 1954 and donate 100% of their profits to a local children’s shelter. It definitely has a “musky, old thrift store” vibe, but I’ve found spectacular deals here on exercise equipment, furniture, and antiques. You’ll need a good eye, but Boysville has plenty of good deals if you know where to look. Whether you’re looking for a genuine Stetson, household knickknacks, or vintage baby strollers, Boysville has something for you.

Thrift Town

Thrift Town is one of the larger thrift shops in San Antonio. It’s organized very well, with separate departments for shoes, clothes, housewares, and toys. I bought my first George Foreman grill here, actually, as well as a $5 pair of shoes for my first office job. The clothes at Thrift Town are reasonably trendy, although you can also find a collection of 1990s prom dresses at the front of the store for a laugh. Thrift Town tends to have more furniture than your normal thrift store, so give them a look if you need a nightstand, coffee table, or dresser.

  • Address: 2864 Thousand Oaks Drive, San Antonio, TX 78232
  • Website: Thrift Town

Habitat Home Center

That’s right: Habitat for Humanity has several thrift shops in San Antonio. If you’re a new homeowner on a budget, check out Habitat’s thrift shops for doors, toilets, cabinets, light fixtures, and furnishings. You can also buy paint, tape, and other consumables here. Not everything is a good deal, though, so compare the Habitat Home Center’s prices against Lowe’s and Home Depot before you buy anything.

Keep in mind that Habitat Home Center is largely self-service. You’ll need to move, load, and transport anything you buy here, so bring a friend or three if you plan on purchasing large equipment or lumber.

  • Address 1: 311 Probandt Street, San Antonio, TX 78204
  • Address 1: 5482 Walzem Rd, San Antonio, TX 78218
  • Address 1: 8125 Meadow Leaf Dr, San Antonio, TX 78227
  • Website: Habitat Home Center

Montage

If you’re super into the retro aesthetic, check out Montage’s humble shop for clothing and accessories from another era. Its itty-bitty exterior and weathered metal roof definitely contribute to the retro vibe at Montage. They only sell clothing that’s 20 years old (or older), so if you’re on the hunt for old-timey clothing that doesn’t go out of style, give them a look. They definitely don’t charge thrift store prices for their wares, though, so be prepared to spend more than $0.50 on a t-shirt.

  • Address: 423 W Grayson, San Antonio, TX 78212
  • Website: Montage Style

Second Chances Thrift Shop

Second Chances’ cause is near and dear to my heart. This thrift shop is technically in Helotes, which is a 15-minute drive outside the San Antonio city limits. Helotes is a beautiful destination by itself, but if you’re in the area, support animal welfare by shopping at Second Chances. They sell books, antiques, clothes, and general household items. Because Second Chances is entirely run by volunteers, they’re only open Thursday through Saturday. Double-check their hours before you make the trip!

  • Address: 10671 Shaenfield Road, San Antonio, TX 78254
  • Website: Second Chances

Green Door Thrift Shop

The Green Door is an old thrift store: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church opened it in 1953. They’ve been in the same building since 1958 and still sell clothes and home goods to this day. The neat thing about this thrift shop is that it funds a grant program through the church that supports local non-profits and humanitarian initiatives. All of Green Door’s profits go to charity, which is a big bonus. They have funky hours, though, so you’re only able to shop Tuesday – Saturday from 10 am – 1 pm.

  • Address: 1030 Nacogdoches Road, San Antonio, TX 78209
  • Website: The Green Door

Clothes Mentor

I know Clothes Mentor is a thrift store chain, but man, do I love it. When I was making next to nothing at my first office job, I was only able to look halfway decent because of Clothes Mentor. They sell trendy women’s clothing, jewelry, purses, and shoes at a much more affordable price than a department store. There are a few locations in San Antonio, but I’ve had the most success with their location in Stone Oak. I once scored a Tommy Bahama designer jacket for $10; what a steal!

  • Address 1: 21038 US-281 #100, San Antonio, TX 78258
  • Address 2: 21038 US-281 #100, San Antonio, TX 78258
  • Website: Clothes Mentor San Antonio

Goodwill

Yes, everybody knows about Goodwill, but I’m particularly obsessed with their location off of 410 near North Park Mall. This location seems to carry more furniture than any other Goodwill in my area; the prices are sometimes a little high, though, so shop around before you buy a coffee table here. But even so, Goodwill is still my go-to for clothes, home goods, and kitchen appliances.

The 11 Best Thrift Stores in San Antonio - Roaming Texas (2024)

FAQs

What's the best day to go thrifting? ›

According to Goodwill, the perfect time slot to shop at thrift stores is in the morning on both Monday and Tuesday. This is because, at least as far as Goodwill is concerned, people tend to donate garage sale remnants on Sunday, so the pickings are new and fresh come early weekdays.

How do you find rare and valuable items at thrift stores? ›

How do you know if something is valuable at a thrift store? Look for brand names, quality materials, and vintage items. Research online to determine the value of unusual or antique finds.

What sells the most in thrift stores? ›

Clothing. Clothing is an item that sells best in thrift stores. Accounting for 31.8 percent of industry revenue, clothing is the largest revenue generator in the Thrift Stores industry, according to IBISWorld. Instead of paying higher retail prices, many people are switching to thrift stores for their clothing needs.

What are 10 tips for shopping at the thrift store so you don t get overwhelmed and find what you need? ›

Thrift Like a Pro: Top 10 Hacks to Unearth Amazing Finds
  1. Check All of the End Caps. ...
  2. Shop on Tuesday or Wednesday. ...
  3. Go Down Every Aisle. ...
  4. Sign Up for Thrift Store Promotions. ...
  5. Always Check the Glass Cases. ...
  6. Dig Through Boxes. ...
  7. Ask For the Best Price. ...
  8. Always Walk the Store Twice.
Feb 22, 2024

Do thrift stores wash clothes before? ›

Most secondhand stores don't wash the clothes before selling them. Donations are typically washed before they're donated, but we still recommend giving them a good cleaning when you get home. Even if the clothes are washed before they hit the thrift store floor, people will have since touched them.

How much money should I have for thrifting? ›

Others do accept credit/debit cards. If you're planning to visit only one store, $30 ought to be enough if you're only going to buy a few things, and those few things cost less than $10 on average. However if you're going on what I call a 'thrift run,' i.e. visiting a number of stores, I'd bring at least $100.

What is the most valuable thing to look for in a thrift store? ›

Finding precious metal in a secondhand store is a major win. While you're shopping, check the piles of mismatched silverware, kitchen platters or serving pieces, and even bags or boxes with costume jewelry. Look for tarnish, stamped markings, and even dents (sterling silver dents more easily than plated pieces).

What is the most valuable item to collect? ›

What Are the Most Valuable Types of Collectibles?
  1. Vintage Comic Books. Comic books are one of the most popular collectibles because of how much they can appreciate in value over time. ...
  2. Baseball Cards. ...
  3. Vintage Bakeware. ...
  4. Rare Coins. ...
  5. Vintage Toys. ...
  6. Stamps. ...
  7. Vintage Magazines. ...
  8. Antique Furniture.
Aug 21, 2023

How to find stuff to flip at thrift stores? ›

Look for typically high-value items

Once inside a thrift store, you can search for items that may be ideal for flipping. These items may include collectable items, such as trading cards and action figures, or clothes and accessories, such as shoes, purses and watches.

What is the most profitable thing to resell? ›

The 15 Best Items to Flip
  1. Apparel. Whether you're simply looking to clean out your closet or want to turn reselling into a part-time gig, apparel of all kinds is perfect for flipping. ...
  2. Cameras. ...
  3. Smartphones, Tablets and Tech Accessories. ...
  4. Exercise Equipment. ...
  5. Household Appliances. ...
  6. Used Books. ...
  7. Designer Bags. ...
  8. Vintage Jewelry.

What is thrift flipping? ›

Harpster, like many other young people around the country, has found a novel way to make a quick buck—by “thrift flipping,” or in other words, buying secondhand clothing cheap and reselling for a higher price.

What brand sells the most clothes? ›

1. Nike – United States ($31.3 Billion USD) Fun Fact: Nike's famous “swoosh” logo was designed by a graphic design student for just $35 in 1971!

Why is shopping at thrift stores bad? ›

Dirty. Clothing and textiles that are donated to thrift stores are not laundered before they end up in the store and could contain lots of bacteria or even bedbugs. Some of these clothes are so dirty, a thrift shop will likely immediately throw them away.

What are the disadvantages of thrift shopping? ›

10 downsides of buying second hand (or how to make thrift shopping a success)
  • You are more likely to buy stuff you don't need. ...
  • Buying second hand takes patience. ...
  • Many second hand items need some work. ...
  • You don't always know if it's still working. ...
  • You don't always know the previous owner.

How to thrift shop like a pro? ›

Here are 7 tips for learning how thrift like a pro.
  1. Tip #1: Dress the part. ...
  2. Tip #2: Have a plan (but allow for spontaneity and experimentation) ...
  3. Tip #3: Look for quality. ...
  4. Tip #4: Choose natural fibers. ...
  5. Tip #5: Find out when they restock and pop in regularly. ...
  6. Tip #6: Don't kid yourself. ...
  7. Tip #7: Check for household goods, too.

What are the best times of the year to go thrifting? ›

Spring and Summer Are a Hit

Warm weather, spring cleaning, and garage sales all have a positive effect on thrift store hauls, according to Bowker. 'Tis the season for people to declutter and purge items they no longer need, resulting in larger donation piles.

What day is best to go to Goodwill? ›

Mondays are often the best day to discover newly donated goods, including unique items or top brands to look for at thrift stores. Over the weekend, many people clean out their closets and drop off bags at their local Goodwill, meaning you can be the first to explore fresh finds before anyone else!

What is the best day to buy stuff? ›

Some of the best times of the year to save money are three-day weekends attached to major holidays, such as Memorial Day and Labor Day. If you buy merchandise at a time when most people aren't interested in that item – like a winter coat just as warm weather starts – you'll likely find steep discounts.

What is the best day to go clothes shopping? ›

For frugal shoppers, shopping means buying clothes when you can get the very best prices, which can often take a bit of pre-planning. You can follow a few simple timing guidelines to get the best deals on new clothing, such as knowing that Thursday night may be the best day of the week to go to the store.

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