8 Best Thrift Stores In Orlando For A Little Magic!
Thrift stores have become increasingly popular recently, and Orlando is no exception. With a growing number of thrift stores and consignment shops, it's no surprise that bargain hunters are flocking to the city to find unique and affordable items. From upcycled clothing to secondhand home decor, there's something for everyone at these thrift stores.
Our top picks for best thrift shops in Orlando
#ThriftStoreFinds
Orlando, often dubbed "The City Beautiful," is a vibrant city in the Sunshine State of Florida. It's best known for its iconic theme parks, including Walt Disney World, which has captivated the hearts of millions from all over the globe.
However, beyond the enchanting castle towers, wizarding wonders, and thrilling roller coasters, Orlando has a lesser-known but equally captivating charm - a thriving thrift store scene. Orlando's thrift shops offer possibilities for those eager to discover hidden treasures and embrace sustainable shopping.
1. Orange Tree Antiques Mall
Owned by Sherrie Hershone, a seasoned antique buyer and seller with a strong business and marketing background, Orange Tree Antiques Mall in Winter Park, Florida, is an expansive antique wonderland.
Twice as enticing after its expansion, the mall now covers 15,000 square feet and hosts over 140 dealers offering an array of unique treasures.
The merchandise, ranging from Victorian to Art Deco and Mid-Century Modern furniture and art spanning centuries, constantly changes, ensuring an exciting shopping experience every visit.
Attracting customers globally, Orange Tree's diverse blend of antique, vintage, retro, and unique collectibles has earned it the title of "Best Antique Mall in Florida." Regular sales with substantial discounts add to the appeal.
Apart from the delightful browsing experience, visitors are treated to complimentary coffee, tea, and cookies, served with a warm welcome from the friendly staff.
At Orange Tree Antiques Mall, the hunt for the perfect antique is not just shopping - it's an adventure.
2. Etoile Boutique
Orlando's vibrant fashion and art community has a wellspring at its heart - Etoile Boutique. Since its inception in 2006, this unique style hub, helmed by owner Falon Quillen, has served as the go-to spot for lovers of vintage, local designers, and creators alike, offering a curated selection of Central Florida's finest.
Etoile Boutique reflects Falon's affinity for authenticity, expressed through her passion for the 70s and 90s fashion and design. The moment you step through the front door, you are enveloped in a unique ambiance, as if The Rolling Stones and Cyndi Lauper collided in a honky-tonk bar with a 2 Live Crew soundtrack.
Falon encourages a personalized approach to fashion, emphasizing that "Style isn't style if you aren't making it your own." Falon playfully challenges those who hesitate, doubting their ability to pull off a particular look, "Hold my beer." At Etoile Boutique, style boundaries are there to be pushed and redefined.
3. Out Of The Closet
Out of the Closet boasts a presence across the United States with 22 locations, including a significant footprint in California with five thrift shops gracing Los Angeles and an additional two stores serving the San Francisco area.
Their extensive selection spans a variety of clothing for all genders and ages, boasting both everyday wear and unique vintage finds. Additionally, they offer a range of accessories, including handbags, belts, scarves, and jewelry.
For those looking to furnish a home or find a statement piece, their assortment of furniture, home decor, kitchenware, and electronics provides plenty of options. And for bookworms and music lovers, there's a variety of books, CDs, vinyl records, and DVDs to peruse.
Out of the Closet Thrift Store (OTC), established in 1990, is much more than your usual thrift store. It was founded to raise funds for the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, contributing 96 cents of every dollar earned to HIV prevention and treatment services.
OTC is not just a shopping destination but also a critical support system offering high-quality HIV testing services at all locations. When you shop or donate at OTC, you directly support the fight against HIV and AIDS, making a significant difference in your community. It's where unique secondhand finds meet philanthropy, creating a lasting impact with every purchase.
4. Upscale Orlando Thrift Shop
Upscale Apparel is more than just a thrift shop; it's where fashion and charity intersect. This store is brimming with a wide range of gently used clothing, perfect for anyone looking to add a unique style to their wardrobe.
But clothes aren't all that Upscale Apparel offers. It's also a treasure trove for quality furniture and home decor at affordable prices. From chic sofas and rustic coffee tables to charming wall art and vintage lamps, it's an ideal spot to find unique pieces to enhance your living spaces.
The best part about shopping at Upscale Apparel is that it's retail therapy with a purpose. Every purchase made directly contributes to helping those in need, offering support through food, clothing, and shelter.
It's a shopping experience that gratifies your style preferences and warms your heart, knowing you're making a tangible difference in the community.
5. The Owl's Attic
The Owl's Attic is a unique haven for vintage enthusiasts and fans of yesteryears' music and fashion. Founded in 2011 by a duo of passionate pickers, this shop is a tribute to the past and the timeless charm it holds.
Every item on The Owl's Attic shelves is handpicked, showcasing an authentic range of vintage pieces. Their collection spans flawless, untouched items to well-loved, worn-out treasures that tell a story. The selection primarily features pieces from the 50s through the 90s, but the owners' hippie hearts show a special love for the 60s and 70s styles.
Beyond being a vintage clothing store, The Owl's Attic supports Orlando's local art scene. The store features works from some of the city's most talented artists and craftsmen, adding an extra layer of local flavor to the shopping experience.
A particular highlight of The Owl's Attic is its impressive collection of graphic tees, including band and Harley Davidson tees. Additionally, you'll find a range of unique patches to personalize your wardrobe.
Visiting The Owl's Attic isn't just a shopping trip—it's a journey back in time.
6. Russell Home Thrift Store
Russell Home Thrift Store in Orlando is your one-stop shop for distinctive home decor, furniture, and more. Their selection is rich with antiques, home decor items, kitchen accessories, dinnerware, glassware, cookware, and china.
In addition, you can find an array of high-quality clothing, accessories, and shoes. What sets this store apart is not only its reasonable prices but also its noble cause.
All proceeds from your purchases support the Russell Home for Atypical Children, an inspiring institution with a long-standing history.
Established in 1951, the Russell Home was the pioneer non-profit institution in the country catering to brain-damaged children. Since then, it has become a sanctuary for hundreds of children, often taking in those in desperate situations.
The home, featuring a nursery, dormitory wing, playrooms, living room areas, kitchen, and large laundry room, is designed to be a cheerful environment for the children.
The love radiating from the children's eyes, sounds, and smiles is a testament to the invaluable work being done here, genuinely making you appreciate the simpler things in life.
Being a part of the Florida Association of Christian Child Caring Agencies, the Russell Home further emphasizes its dedication to this heartfelt mission.
7. Dechoes Resale
With a mission to revolutionize traditional clothing consumption and mitigate the environmental impact of fashion, Dechoes Resale stands as a beacon for sustainable shopping in Orlando. The store, with two convenient locations on Edgewater Drive and Coytown, offers an eco-friendly alternative for fashion enthusiasts.
Dechoes is different from your average thrift store; it specializes in high-end designer clothing and accessories. Here, you can explore a meticulously curated selection of items from renowned brands such as Chanel, Gucci, and Louis Vuitton, all available at discounted prices.
In addition to these vintage treasures, Dechoes also hosts pieces from contemporary designer labels like Kate Spade, Anthropologie, and Brandy Melville. This blend of past and present styles ensure something for every fashion palate.
But Dechoes isn't just a paradise for shoppers - it's also an excellent platform for selling pre-loved items. If you have unwanted high-quality fashion pieces, you can book an appointment via their website to sell them. They offer up to 50% in-store credit, 35% in cash, and even higher percentages for items priced over $100.
8. Omg! Thrift
Sustainability is the heart of Omg! Thrift is a store that has successfully given a new lease of life to over 20 million pounds of gently-used clothing, shoes, and household items that would have otherwise ended up in landfills.
Their operations create more than just an eco-friendly shopping experience. The sale of these preloved items also employs over 250 team members in their retail stores. Through their bulk purchases, omg! Thrift enables hundreds more jobs in clothing collection programs across the nation.
But their commitment doesn't end there; omg! Thrift is also a dedicated member of the local communities where their stores are located.
Every year, they donate a percentage of their sales to local cancer charities during Breast Cancer Awareness Month, illustrating their passion for supporting worthwhile causes.
Whether you're a seasoned thrifter or hunting for your next DIY refashion project, omg! Thrift is a haven of thrifty finds. They take pride in their fantastic selection of new-to-you items, all offered with excellent customer service at unbeatable prices.
Visit their new location in the Casselberry, FL area and browse the 6,000 daily additions in their clean, well-organized store.
And remember to capture your thrift store treasures with a snapshot! Tag #shopomgthrift to win a gift card and be featured on their social media sites. Welcome to the thrifty and thoughtful world of omg! Thrift!
9. Echoes of Retro
If you're in the Orlando area and have a soft spot for vintage finds, make a beeline for Echoes of Retro. Nestled in the charming Ivanhoe Village district, this vintage store embodies the saying, "Out with the new, in with the old!"
Echoes of Retro is a treasure trove of unique mid-century furniture and an eclectic array of clothing items. This hidden gem has garnered rave reviews from its clientele, with praise for its high-quality, unique, and, indeed, fabulous finds.
Their dedication to sustainability and passion for preserving vintage pieces sets Echoes of Retro apart. They breathe new life into old items by refurbishing or reinventing them, ensuring they remain functional and stylish.
Thanks to their meticulous attention to detail, you can take home affordable, quality home and office furnishings that are bound to add a touch of charm to any space.
Whether you're shopping virtually or dropping by in person, you're in for a treat at Echoes of Retro!
Why is thrifting good, you ask?
Thrifting isn't merely an economical alternative to high-street fashion; it's a conscious, sustainable choice that promotes individuality and a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.
Thrifting counters the harmful environmental effects of fast fashion. With its quick turnover and disposable attitude, fast fashion contributes significantly to waste, pollution, and exploitative labor practices. Thrifting, on the other hand, reuses and recycles clothing, reducing demand for new products and therefore lessening the overall environmental impact.
How can you get started with thrifting?
It's simple - visit a local thrift shop or explore some of the best online thrift stores, such as thredUP or Poshmark, which make thrifting accessible to everyone, anywhere. Don't let the array of options intimidate you - take your time, explore, and remember to keep an open mind. That's one of the top thrifting tips!
How do you handle thrift clothes once you bring them home?
You'd wash them, just as you would any new clothing item. However, because these items have been previously owned, it's advisable to use a good laundry detergent to ensure they are hygienically clean. Some people also like to do a vinegar soak for added assurance.
A final word on thrifting in Orlando
It's crucial to bring these alarming statistics to the fore when discussing the importance of thrifting. As per projections, from 2015 to 2050, an estimated 22 million tonnes of microfibres could find their way into our oceans, posing significant threats to marine life. This is primarily due to the breakdown of synthetic fabrics often used in fast fashion.
Looking at the global picture, the cotton industry alone consumes an astounding 1,931 liters of irrigation water per kilogram. On top of that, the fashion industry was responsible for producing 2.1 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 2018. These figures highlight the immense strain the fashion industry places on our planet's finite resources.
Lastly, it's worth noting that each person in Canada discards an average of 37 kilograms of textile waste annually. This waste is in landfills, which can take hundreds of years to degrade, releasing potent greenhouse gases like methane.
With these sobering facts in mind, it's clear that thrifting is more than a savvy shopping tactic—it's an effective way to combat these environmental issues.
By buying secondhand, you reduce your carbon footprint, preserve water resources, and minimize waste. In essence, thrifting is a significant step towards a more sustainable and environmentally-conscious lifestyle. Your choice to thrift is a vote for a healthier planet.