If each secondhand item has a story to tell, Denver’s thrift and consignment store scene offers an extensive collection of curated tales.
There are tales of change-makers doing good for others, like Peak Thrift in Lincoln Park, which uses 100 percent of its profits to help homeless teens. (Check out its Happy Hour” every Friday when all items are half off).
There are tales of the fashion-forward, who frequent handpicked galleries like the trendy Babareeba in the Highland neighborhood, known for high-quality items, great handbags, and classic vintage wear. And there are suburban nesters who search for household bargains at Goodwill stores known for selling brand-new items donated by local Targets.
And then there are shoppers like Mandy Anderson. She’s a digger — a true thrift-store anthropologist who loves foraging through bins in search of treasure. One of her more recent finds was a new pair of Birkenstocks that she picked up for $10 (they retail online for $225).
“My mom really taught me the value of the dollar from a pretty young age, and I have an eye for clothes,” said Anderson, who paired those talents to create a wardrobe of 100 percent thrifted items.
A social worker in Denver who blogs at Mile High Thrifter, Anderson views thrifting as a more responsible way to shop. “I really have fallen in love with the sustainable side of fashion and the goodness that comes with thrifting,” she said.
Denver has one of the best thrift and consignment scenes in the country, said Anderson, with stores that offer great prices and reasonable markups. Denver is also a young city: “There are a lot of fashionistas out there,” she said. For thrifters, that translates to an extensive collection of stylish high-quality items, from evening wear to outdoor gear.
Whether you’re looking for furniture, clothing, children’s items, or accessories, there are plenty of options. Thrift stores typically sell donated goods while consignment stores buy and sell secondhand items.
One thing many Denver area stores do well is to create curated collections of items for a more upscale shopping experience, Anderson said.
“Most people don’t want to look like they came out of a thrift store,” she said. “They want to go into the thrift store and look like they came out of a mall.”
Isabel Heiland is a recent high school graduate, band member, and frequent thrifter. “It’s really helpful for high school and college students living on a budget,” she said. Her favorite store is The Arc, a traditional thrift store chain where she found one of her favorite items: an oversized white cardigan. “The staff is friendly and the items are great, and you can find a lot of cool (and funny) stuff there,” she said.
At The Arc’s three-day Memorial Day sale, for example, thrifters can get half-off items ranging from sundresses to pool toys to barbecue supplies. The Arc’s profits help fund advocacy for people with disabilities.
When shopping, Heiland and her friends typically search for interesting patterns and textures. “Even while we are skimming the rack, what we are really looking for is bright colors, cool patterns, things that just really catch your eye.”
Like Heiland, Anderson looks for textures. “I could almost go thrifting with my eyes closed because I can run my hand down a rack and feel the fabrics,” she said. “You’re really looking for something that’s going to last and is well worth the dollar.”
Denver Metro Area Thrift and Consignment Stores
(verified in business as of May 23)
15355 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora; 720-858-7935
17020 E. Quincy Ave., Aurora; 720-870-1118
4011 S. Broadway, Englewood; 720-458-0822 (multiple locations)
2777 W. Belleview Ave., Littleton; 303-693-7077
1515 S. Broadway, Denver; 303-777-3703 (multiple locations)
5305 E. Colfax Ave. #B, Denver; 303-997-4336
600 S. Holly St. #104, Denver; 303-335-0191
Babareeba!
3629 W. 32nd Ave., Denver; 303-458-5712
1113 S. Pearl St., Denver; 720-296-2047
10 S. Broadway, Denver; 303-871-0373
51 Broadway, Denver; 303-866-0165
226 E. 13th Ave., Denver; 303-866-0164
2600 East St., Golden; 303-279-9224
11528 W. Colfax, Lakewood; 720-277-5508
4231 S. Buckley Road, Aurora; 720-870-1018
1401 Ford St., Golden; 303-279-5674
4232 Tennyson St., Denver; 303-477-7800
8601 W. Cross Dr., Littleton, 80123
720-922-3588
1575 S. Pearl St., Denver; 720-379-4598 (multiple locations)
303 University Blvd. Denver; 303-996-5668
8200 S. Colorado Blvd., Centennial; 303-670-2900
2060 W Youngfield St., Lakewood; 720-639-6568
130 Yuma Court, Denver; 303-761-0560
1610 East Girard Place, Unit H, Englewood; 303-843-9956
776 Santa Fe Drive, Denver; 720-275-5212
Global Thrift
9110 W. 88th Ave., Arvada; 303-993-6831
Goldmine Vintage
3533 Tejon St., Denver; 720-328-8561
21 S. Broadway, Denver; 303-722-1440 (multiple locations)
70 Rio Grande Blvd., Denver; 303-722-5863 (multiple locations)
3041 S. Broadway, Englewood; 720-542-9526
5030 E. Hampden Ave., Denver; 303-757-7269
25690 E. Quincy Ave., Aurora, 80016 (multiple locations)
7310 W. 52nd Avenue, Arvada; 303-422-1000
15035 E. Mississippi, Aurora; 303-752-2757
400 Downing St., Denver; 303-871-9605
16948 S. Golden Road, Golden; 303-241-0701
5501 S. Broadway #185B, Littleton; 303-795-3085
15250 E. Hampden Ave., Aurora; 720-870-7191
9797 W. Colfax Ave. Unit 1C, Lakewood; 303-862-4685
126 W. 12th Ave., Denver; 303-733-1009
1388 S. Broadway, Denver; 303-765-4776
2085 S. Sheridan Blvd., Denver; 720-962-9811
7700 W. 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge; 303-728-9497
6240 S. Main St., F-101, Aurora; 720-457-0000
3360 S. Broadway, Englewood; 303-789-1443
Nona’s Attic
2699 W. Main St., Littleton; 303-798-4885
4890 Pecos St., Denver; 720-484-5689
1485 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver; 303-782-4000 (multiple locations)
2373 Central Park Blvd., #106, Denver; 303-322-7586
Queen City General Store
220 E. 13th Ave., Denver; 720-458-0202
201 University Blvd., Denver; 720-508-3181
2845 Walnut St., Denver; 720-398-6200
1866 S. Broadway, Denver; 303-830-0216
2725 S. Colorado Blvd., Denver; 303-757-0086
922 Washington Ave., Golden; 303-279-6052
4751 Broadway, Denver; 303-294-0827
8250 W. Coal Mine Ave., Ste. 8, Littleton; 303-972-7900
442 Hampden Ave., Englewood; 303-788-6470
Second Hand Kids
420 E. 120th Ave., #B10, Northglenn; 303-255-1944
3440 W. 32nd Ave., Denver; 720-398-8843
9191 W. Jewell Ave., Lakewood; 303-989-0595
7562 S. University Blvd., Centennial; 303-779-2550
4725 S. Broadway, Englewood
7777 W. 38th Ave., Wheat Ridge; 303-484-9425
3473 S. Broadway, Englewood; 303-999-2000
7475 E. Arapahoe Road, Ste. 10, Centennial; 303-741-8902
5560 W. 88th Ave., Westminster; 303-469-3100
1331 E. Colfax Ave., Denver; 303-322-5205
5892 W. 44th Ave., Wheat Ridge; 303-421-9205
True Colors Consignment for kids
10175 W. Kentucky Drive, Denver; 720-643-5072
5066 S Wadsworth Blvd., Ste. 115, Littleton; 720-245-2310 (multiple locations)
16801 E. Iliff Ave., Aurora; 303-283-0364
126 W. 12th Ave., Denver; 303-446-8446
2401 15th St., Denver; 303-964-0708
2910 E. 6th Ave., Denver; 303-333-7467
Thrift Store Shopping Tips
If you’re new to thrifting, or just looking for tips on how to discover great finds, Mile High Thrifter Mandy Anderson has some shopping advice:
Keep an open mind: Rather than looking for a specific item, keep an eye out for trends, such as certain colors or patterns that are currently in fashion.
Try things on: Although some stores accept returns, they’re often for store credit. Anderson frequently thrifts in stretch pants and a tank top in case a dressing room is not available. Be sure to also check items carefully for stains, wear, and damage.
Check different sizes and sections: Items are often misplaced in thrift stores. A size small may be on the large rack or vice versa. Unisex items like T-shirts and vintage jeans can often be found in the men’s or boys’ sections.
Quality counts: “Somebody has already taken it out for a spin,” Anderson said. When buying second-hand items, look for high-quality fabrics to ensure your great thrifting finds will last.
Be patient: You’re not likely to find 20 items in one day in a thrift store. If you’re trying to create a wardrobe, the key is to build it over time.
Accessorize, accessorize, accessorize: “Accessories are one of the least thrifted Items and there’s some really good quality stuff,” Anderson said. Accessories are also easy to clean and shop for, which makes them a great starting point for first-time thrifters.
Price isn’t everything: “Your goal is not to walk in there and buy everything that is cheap,” Anderson said. Instead, look for items that are authentic to your personal style.
