Next up - a category everyone has a favorite in.
Please nominate your choice for Best Thriftstore in the comments below...we will build a survey based on your responses and do a vote to determine the BEST shop in this category next Tuesday, 11/21.
And the nominees are:
definitely Brown Elephant on Halsted. love that place.
ok... let's just say i did have a favorite thrift store. why would i tell you?? that's the thing about thrift stores, once everyone finds out what the "best" one is, it's no longer the best.
having said that, i find most of them here in chicago to be very overpriced (family thrift, i'm looking at you).
i agree with jen. chicago thrift stores are way over priced. why does a t-shirt cost over $20?
i used to like Layer in logan square before they shut down. but again, it was a little too pricey.
I have a few favorites, but I think I will keep them to myself so they do not become too picked over. (hint, hint to everyone who is thinking of posting)
Definitely the BROWN ELEPHANT!! Check out my Chicago House Tour ("Danny & Carlos do Lakeview"). I'd say about 85%+ of the stuff in our condo was acquired from the Brown Elephant!
BROWN ELEPHANT! You wouldn't believe the Queen Anne style sideboard I got there for $130 that I have seen on ebay or online antique stores for 10 times that! Books, light fixtures, furniture, art... you name it! I almost don't want to tell, like it's a secret!
I agree. The best thrift stores are the ones you find by yourself:
I currently goto 3 different ones in Chicago, each for a particular type of Find.
And- they are still cheap and the barter system still applies -$.50 - $1 -and no more than $5 for a big item.
actually the best priced things i ever found was the family discount outlet stores. depending on the neighborhood you're in i have actually found most shirts at tops $3. and found the cheapest furniture (cute loveseat couch for $10, lazyboy for $12, desk for $10).
being that i usually visit the family discount outlets that are no where near lincoln park, wicker park or logan square.
so family thrift stores chain are my hero.
Lousy category.
A true thrifter never reveals sources.
If it has a trendy name, it's not a thrift store, if they charge over 3 dollars it's not a thrift shop, if they hand pick what goes into there store it is not a thrift store, if there are more urbanites inside then single moms ,it's not a thrift store...in my mind. These are consignment shops, Salvation Army is a Thrift shop
I agree with everyone...
We all know our favorite spots and half the fun is searching for the new ones. Chicago is great in the fact that there are so many from north south and west. Each store has it's strengths and weakness .this column should be about your favorite finds, stories and crazy stuff you've seen, like how we all groan when we see those awlful "pickers" I hate them.
Recent Thirft "scores"
Full silver aluminum vintage xmas tree for $20
Cashmere Scarves, one Banana Republic
3 ply Cashmere walnut-colored J Crew Sweater
Jens Quistgaard wooden Salad bowl set along with Emamel Sauce pan.
It's all out there! you just gotta look!