The 9 Best Thrift Stores in Utah (& 5 to Avoid...) (2023)

As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Whether you're visiting the state or living here full time, finding the best thrift stores in Utah is no easy feat.

Utah not only has many corner stores, but the state has a "give it all" attitude that has also resulted in a large number of "corporate" thrift stores moving to the area.

Like most places, the best thrift stores in Utah are often kept secret from those who frequent them. After all, why would anyone give up their honey hole?

Personally, I have no problem debating which are the best thrift stores in my backyard. There are so many things for sale and so many places to buy them that a thrift store can hardly be robbed.

So, without further ado, here are the 10 thrift stores you need to visit in Utah!

I'd also like to point out that I've only included "real" thrift stores here. There are tons of great thrift stores in Utah, as well as antique stores, resale stores, etc. on the front line. They sell donated goods directly to the public.

10 Best Thrift Stores in Utah

1. San Lorenzo – City of Heber

I really thought I'd share what I think is the best thrift store in Utah. It's quite small and remote, but if discovered, I'm afraid it could be attacked.

I believe you think it's too far.

The St. Lawrence Thrift in Heber City is a small church thrift store that takes donations from wealthy residents and tourists in and around Park City.

I regularly come across brands that I have never heard of in all my time as a farmer.

Not only do they have an amazing collection of furniture, clothing, toys, and housewares, but they also stock some amazing items for a biennial sale: a ski sale where they sell tons of winter gear for outdoor activities, and a ski sale warehouse. ski where they sell tons. of summer clothes.

Make the trip to Heber, it's worth it!

2. Economizer - Hanger

Rule number one for finding a good thrift store is to stick to affluent areas.

The Savers in Draper is a really nice shop in a really nice location. Plus, there's always a mile-long line to donate, as there aren't many other thrift stores in the area.

Just make sure you sign up for theSparvereinso you can get discounts!

3. Goodwill - Murray

While it's okay to visit thrift stores sometimes, they often don't have the inventory turns to consistently produce good finds. Because of this, the first goodwill on this list is Utah's largest goodwill.

This store is big and had almost every type of item you can imagine. The main specialty here is clothing, so you'll be hard-pressed to find good outdoor gear or electronics. However, I found an old stereo receiver here.turnedFor over $1,000 in earnings!

There aren't many dealers here browsing the shelves and they have very good prices and sales (albeit more erratic since Covid).

4. Deseret Industries – Springville

The 9 Best Thrift Stores in Utah (& 5 to Avoid...) (1)

This is one of the newer DIs and probably the best. Being a bit off the beaten path, it's not full of scavengers. In addition, it receives all donations from neighboring (affluent) areas of Mapleton, Payson, Springville, etc.

All sorts of items are well represented here, but like most DIs, it's filled with the latest fashions. Or at least they were 30 years ago.

6. Savers – Southern Jordan

As with Savers' other "good" Utah locations, it depends on the location and how the store sets prices.

This store is always cheaper than any thrift store in my area (except shoes) and has a constant flow of great clothes and shoes. Their electronics and outdoor department is sorely lacking, but I guess you can't have it all!

7. Tienda Goodwill - Salt Lake

First, if you've never been to a Goodwill Outlet, you'll be delighted. The Goodwill Outlet in Salt Lake City gets all unsold goods from Goodwill of Utah, as well as surplus gross donations that they don't have the manpower to process.

If you are interested in really digging for your findings andBuy clothes by the kilo(as well as household items and everything in between) so take the time to stop here!

8. Heber Valley Savings - Heber Valley

This is the second Heber Valley thrift store to make this list. Don't worry, there are only two in the valley, so there won't be another one. When visiting St. Lawrence in Heber, you might as well stop by as they have a lot of small donors.

Pricing here tends to be a little steep (as if they think it's a boutique), but most of the week it's 40, 50, or 60% off everything in the store.

There is a good range of furniture, lots of toys and household items and some shoes.

9. Utah Valley Habitat for Mankind - Orem

If you're looking for something for a craft, home improvement project, or home maintenance, this is the thrift store you want to visit. Things that most thrift stores won't accept are building and household items, but that's all Habitat for Humanity accepts!

I bought lumber, nails, shooting rails and even a mailbox here. Plus, you never know what you'll find in the "Miscellaneous" section, as they take donations from companies that could include clothing, decorations, or even vitamins. A true thrift store experience!

Oh, and they're also known as ReStore if that sounds familiar.

While that sums up my top 9, there are some other great stores I didn't mention that you should check out if you have the time:

O que faz um bom brechó?

What makes a good thrift store depends a lot on the type of items you're looking for. For example, the best used clothing store may not be the best for kitchenware.

In the end, the only real way to know if a thrift store is any good is to visit it. However, there are some things you can do to narrow down the options you need to decide.

1. Location

The best second-hand stores are in wealthy suburbs. City thrift stores are usually packed, and those in rural areas just don't have enough donations to keep them great.

So look for thrift stores in affluent areas that are a little out of the way. You'll find things donated by wealthy people who live nearby. After all, they rarely visit thrift stores.

2. Size (or choose)

Some of the best thrift stores I've been to are small corner stores that accept donations of all kinds.

Large thrift stores have a list of items you cannot give away, which limits shoppers' choices.

In my opinion, the best thrift stores in Utah have a good selection of all kinds of items: clothing, furniture, electronics, and everything in between. If you are only interested in one type of item (for example, clothing or building materials), visit the relevant second-hand stores (Plato's Closet and ReStore, respectively).

3. Cleaning

If you have oneGoodwill store near youIf you're a heavy user, you probably know what it's like to feel like you need a shower after saving.

While there are great thrift stores everywhere, I've prioritized thrift stores that are clean and affordable to make them acceptable to just about everyone.

4. Staff

No matter how big a thrift store is, the store's staff and culture can ruin the entire experience. There is a thrift store (which I may or may not mention in the next section) that I will never visit because of the staff.

They are grumpy and when I find cheap stuff (which is the point of frugality) they try to change the price at the till while I pay.

On the other hand, I will regularly visit thrift stores where people are friendly and smile at my mischievous kids!

5. Good Business Practices

I once got into a Utah Savers with a van full of things to donate and a clerk said to me,

"I'm honest with you. You can donate it here, but we have too much stuff and we're going to throw it all away. If you really want it sold, you can drop it off at... a thrift store down the road."

Needless to say, I was pretty amazed.

Unfortunately, such practices are not uncommon. While I normally prioritize getting a good deal, I do my best to support thrift stores that are actually charities or at least engage in ethical business practices.

5 Thrift Stores to Avoid (Worst Thrift Stores in Utah)

Before I list some of what I consider to be the worst thrift stores in Utah, I want to warn you. There are many smaller, owner-operated thrift stores that are truly terrible. In fact, there's one about 200 feet from my house that I literally never go to because it's so bad.

I'm not going to throw any of them under the bus here. They are just trying to make a living.

With that said, I'm going to throw some big box save points right into the fire. A lot of themThrift stores are non-profitbut they are "for-profit" companies.

Remember, this is not a comment about the people working there (in general), but about the overall quality of what is offered, the store environment, etc.

1. Deseret Industries in Provo

First, I found some amazing things at this thrift store. The finds are few and far between.

The real reason I avoid this thrift store is the customers and the staff.

This place is full of people my wife and I call vultures. People literally bringing their families and friends and camping out on the furniture. Then they rush each new car out and cram whatever they can get into their car before deciding whether or not they want it.

Also, they know all the lower level employees rolling the carts and I even saw them give gifts or take things to the employees.

Avoid this store unless you want to get frustrated or fight a bunch of thieves to buy used stuff.

2. Sparer in Orem

The main problem with this Savers is that it's in the middle of Orem and there isn't another one within 40 minutes.

This store is full of savings and sells 24 hours a day. If you're lucky enough to find something good here, it's because the universe has aligned and somehow it hasn't been seen by the hordes of humans.

Not to mention they are serious about their collectibles collection and put just about anything decent under glass at incredible prices. I understand that you should charge what people pay, but a lot of things in the billing department don't sell even if they're half price.

You can find them here, but if you can, grab a Saver's from our list of "good" stores above and you'll be rewarded for the trip.

3. Saving em Taylorsville

If you're looking for a downtown thrift store, this is it.

Tight deals, poor location, and low prices make this place a pass.

I've only been here twice despite stopping at least 50 times and have no plans to visit again any time soon.

4. Goodwill em Layton

We are always excited when a new goodwill opens in Utah, as they are relatively new to the state.

However this was a huge disappointment. It is the smallest and most expensive of the Utah Goodwills.

While we still stop by when in the area, I would never specifically make a trip to visit this goodwill.

5. DE En Sugarhouse

This really is a great thrift store. Just not for me and probably not for you.

Unlike most big thrift stores, Deseret Industries actually does a fair amount of charity work. They allow people in need to get clothes, shoes and more for free, and no place seems to do this more than the Sugarhouse location.

This means that there are far fewer options for shoppers. Combine that with the number of "harvesters" walking around hustling each new wagon and you'd be hard pressed to find anything that isn't 30 years old.

Conclusion

Hope this was helpful in giving you a few more Utah thrift stores to add to your rotation!

Remember, the real secret to finding good thrift stores is spending a lot of time at thrift stores. So go often and stay a long time!

Lots of luck!

How to Profitably Sell Media on eBay: Vinyl, VHS, CD, etc.

keep reading

Benevolence vs Salvation Army: where to buy/donate (and why)

keep reading

How to Sell Used Electronics on eBay (Top 11 Sellers)

keep reading

15 Places to Buy Used Furniture Online (Chic Thrift)

keep reading

How to clean used clothes, shoes, glass and more...

keep reading

5 tips for buying furniture as a gesture of goodwill (or frugality)

keep reading

FAQs

What should you avoid at a thrift store? ›

Thrifting is a great way to buy high-end clothing and accessories well below retail prices. That being said, some items are difficult to clean and could potentially carry harmful germs. You probably want to avoid items like plush toys, undergarments, linens, and more.

What are the eight things you should always buy at a thrift store? ›

Here are some things you too should always buy at thrift stores.
  • Jeans. progressman / Shutterstock.com. ...
  • Tools. allstars / Shutterstock.com. ...
  • Totes, trays and baskets. metamorworks / Shutterstock.com. ...
  • Holiday decorations. bbernard / Shutterstock.com. ...
  • Arts and crafts supplies. ...
  • Dishware. ...
  • Perfume. ...
  • One-of-a-kind items.

What is the best day to go thrifting? ›

While there's no “perfect” day to shop second hand stores, many regulars swear by shopping early on Monday and Tuesday. Homeowners tend to drop off garage sale leftovers on Sunday nights, making for new finds. Plus, the weekends are more crowded shopping days, so employees look to restock early in the week.

What to look for in thrift stores that are worth money? ›

5 Rare Things to Look for When Thrift Shopping
  • Vintage and Retro Kitchenware. Goodwill always has a great selection of dishes, glassware, and other kitchen supplies. ...
  • Luggage and Trunks. ...
  • Designer-Label Clothes. ...
  • Old-School Electronics.

Should you shower after thrifting? ›

That's exactly what's happening at thrift stores. Thrift Tip: While most people wash the items they donate, most thrift stores don't have the capacity to clean the goods they sell. That's why we recommend washing your items before donation and after purchase.

Do you wash thrift clothes after buying it? ›

The point is, you'll never really know how clean your newly purchased clothes are – new or used. That's why it's important to always remember to wash your new finds before wearing them out. A good wash can get rid of everything from germs and bacteria, odors, and even bugs and their eggs.

What should you always buy used? ›

Books, pet supplies, glassware all cost much less used
  • Books. Books always have been and always will be just about the best thing to buy used. ...
  • Pet items. ...
  • Musical instruments. ...
  • Vintage and fashion clothing. ...
  • 3 Things to Buy Used. ...
  • Holiday items. ...
  • Glassware. ...
  • Sporting goods.
18 Mar 2022

Where is thrifting most popular? ›

Top 50 Best Metro Areas for Thrifting
RankMetro AreaThrifting Sales/ Household
1Denver - Aurora - Lakewood$192
2Seattle- Tacoma - Bellevue$221
3Portland- Vancouver - Hillsboro$213
4Austin - Round Rock - Georgetown$231
6 more rows
11 Oct 2022

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.

Where is the best thrifting in the US? ›

Thrifting Capitals of the U.S.
  • Phoenix.
  • Richmond.
  • Oklahoma City.
  • Virginia Beach.
  • Louisville.
  • Nashville.
  • San Francisco.
  • Atlanta.
16 Aug 2022

How often should you go to a thrift store? ›

16. Shop at least twice a week. The more often you go, the more likely you are to find the perfect item. You don't need to take forever each time — a quick run through is enough if you're looking for something specific.

Why is the golden age of thrifting over? ›

Because of fast fashion, more than 60 percent of fabric fibers are now synthetics, derived from fossil fuels. This is alarming for the generations of women who have been thrifting for decades as a way of filling their closets affordably with garments made of high-quality materials.

What older items are worth money? ›

31 Vintage Items Worth Money: Do You Have Any of These?
  • How Many of These 31 Vintage Items Do You Have Tucked Away?
  • Typewriters.
  • Silverware.
  • Rotary Phones.
  • Beanie Babies.
  • Vinyl Records.
  • Vintage Wedding Dress.
  • Record Player.
7 Sept 2022

What vintage items are worth money? ›

Top Collectible Vintage Items That Are Trending Now
  • Records. Records are a popular collectible item among various age groups. ...
  • Vintage Advertising Signage. ...
  • Vintage Books. ...
  • Automobilia/Petroliana. ...
  • Vintage Toys. ...
  • Jewelry. ...
  • Mid-Century Modern. ...
  • Art Deco.
1 Mar 2022

What items should I flip at a thrift store? ›

9 Easiest Items to Flip for a Profit
  • Designer Clothing, Handbags & Shoes. The market for used designer goods is huge. ...
  • Toys & Games. ...
  • Sports Memorabilia & Equipment. ...
  • Furniture. ...
  • Books & Music. ...
  • Collectibles. ...
  • Camera Equipment. ...
  • Old Technology.
17 Aug 2021

How do you disinfect clothes from a thrift store? ›

If in doubt about a piece, stick with hand-washing or put it on the gentlest cycle with cold or warm water instead of hot. To disinfect thrift store clothes entirely, you can also add some vinegar to your washing process with a natural and safe laundry detergent. After taking your washed clothes out, avoid the dryer.

Should you add vinegar to laundry? ›

Vinegar is an excellent substitute for laundry detergent — it's inexpensive, effective, and earth-friendly. It can be used for a range of detergent needs, including as a bleach, deodorizer, and a fabric softener.

How long should you stay inside after a shower? ›

Sure, it may save you a few minutes in the morning, but don't hop into bed straight from the shower. You should wait at least two hours after a hot shower before hopping into bed, according to experts.

How do you get the smell out of clothes from Goodwill? ›

Try these techniques to freshen up your pre-loved clothing items
  1. Vinegar spray. In a spray bottle with ample mist spray, mix in 3 parts water: 1 part vinegar. ...
  2. Vodka Spray. ...
  3. Bag it. ...
  4. Give it some air. ...
  5. Newspaper. ...
  6. Bamboo charcoal sachets. ...
  7. Kitty Litter. ...
  8. Strip it!

How do you get rid of bed bugs in your clothes? ›

Drying will kill the bugs but not clean the clothes. If you want to only kill bed bugs and do not need to wash your clothes, simply putting infested items in the dryer for 30 minutes on high health will kill all the bed bugs.

How do you add vinegar to laundry? ›

Pour 1/2 cup of distilled white vinegar into your washing machine instead of the detergent you would normally use. This will clean your clothes without the use of the harsh chemicals found in many commercial laundry detergents.

What items always have value? ›

In fact, humans have always placed value in precious metals and stones and that sees no signs of abating any time soon.
...
9. Gold, Silver and Gemstones
  • Rubies.
  • Blue Sapphires.
  • Emeralds.
  • Spinel Gems.
  • Tsavorite Garnets.
  • Spessartite Garnets.
27 Sept 2022

What are 2 tricks that stores use to get you to buy more product? ›

Here are four tricks they tend to employ.
  • Stashing staple items at the back of the store. At pretty much every supermarket I've been to, staple items like milk and eggs are commonly found at the back of the store. ...
  • Offering digital coupons. ...
  • Using end caps to make products seem special. ...
  • Not having clocks.
16 May 2022

What is the best site to buy used stuff? ›

8 of the Best Places to Buy Used Goods Online
  • Sell.
  • Poshmark.
  • Gadget Salvation.
  • Geebo.
  • Letgo.
  • Backpage.
  • Gone.
  • Mercari.

What is the biggest thrift store in the United States? ›

SEATTLE — The Evergreen Goodwill flagship in Seattle is the largest Goodwill store in the world. But its ambitions may be even larger.

What city has the most goodwills? ›

Top 10 cities with the most number of Goodwill locations in United States
City NameCity StateCity Total Locations
HoustonTEXAS35
MiamiFLORIDA33
San AntonioTEXAS30
PhoenixARIZONA28
6 more rows
21 Apr 2021

Why is thrifting better than buying new? ›

Different people have their reasons for choosing thrifting as an alternative to fast fashion. By purchasing secondhand clothing or home goods, you can save money, find unique pieces and reduce your carbon footprint. Many individuals and families rely on local thrift stores to find clothing at affordable prices.

What are the best cities to thrift in? ›

Here is the definitive list of the best cities for thrifting in the country. According to our data, the top five cities for thrifting in the U.S. are Riverside, CA, Atlanta, GA, Columbus, OH, Orlando, FL, and Tampa, FL.

What are easy things to flip? ›

Best Items to Flip for Profit
  • Wood Furniture. Solid wood furniture is one of the best items to flip for profit for a few reasons. ...
  • Upholstered Furniture. Likewise, upholstered furniture can also be profitable to flip. ...
  • Outdoor Furniture. ...
  • Antiques. ...
  • Collectibles. ...
  • Motorized Items. ...
  • Appliances. ...
  • Records and Record Players.
22 Jun 2022

Is it better to go to thrift stores in the morning? ›

As a general rule of thumb, it's best to go thrifting early in the morning to avoid crowds and find the best merchandise. Also, look for sale days at your local thrift store.

What is the largest thrift store chain? ›

Largest Thrift Store In The United States

Their largest chain stores are typically Habitat for Humanity thrift stores which can have over 40,000 square feet of shopping space (including outdoor space).

What thrift store is owned by Walmart? ›

Savers, Inc.

An international company, Savers has more than 315 locations throughout the United States of America, Canada, and Australia, and receives its merchandise by paying money to non-profit organizations for donated clothing and household items.

Why is thrifting so addictive? ›

Thrill of the find

You know you're looking for something, but you don't know what it is until you find it! And when you do find your treasure at a thrift store, you feel a thrill of excitement and happiness. Many people claim that this thrill of the find is what makes thrift shopping so addicting.

Should you try on clothes at thrift stores? ›

Make it Easy to Try Things On

Many thrift stores don't have fitting rooms, so you might have to try things on over your clothes. Wearing leggings and a close-fitting T-shirt or tank top as a first layer means you can slip things over them with ease.

Where do thrift stores get clothes? ›

Most thrift store inventory comes from donations. Many people own products like clothes, furniture, home decor, etc that they have never used or do not make use of anymore or have too many of. To make space, they tend to give away these items.

Is shopping at thrift stores worth it? ›

Shopping at thrift stores encourages the re-use of clothing and items that have already been created, decreasing the need for the production of additional items. Finally, by shopping at thrift stores, you're helping decrease the size of landfills.

What is the difference between a thrift store and a vintage store? ›

Thrift shops are generally lower priced and you can find some killer items if you dig. Vintage shops will do most of the digging and processing for you. Good vintage shops also professionally clean your items. Both save you time, but it comes at an expense.

Is thrifting a problem? ›

If people consider thrifting as the 'end goal' then that's a huge problem.” Evidently, the secondhand clothing trade is far from perfect. Thrifting prolongs the life cycle of clothes, but it does not stop the overproduction that sustains it. In fact, it actually benefits from the excessive output of fashion brands.

What is the opposite of thrifting? ›

Opposite of wisdom and caution with money. extravagance. profligacy. waste. diseconomy.

What are the best items to buy at thrift stores? ›

Home decor, seasonal decor, kitchen appliances, skillets, pots, bowls, dishes, baskets, wall art, kids clothes, safe toys, books, sporting goods, furniture, lamps, yard supplies, and artificial lamps.

Do thrift stores sanitize their clothes? ›

So, you know, yuck. Now you might be wondering, do thrift stores clean clothes before selling them? The answer is no. Admittedly, cleaning protocols in thrift shops are more common than they used to be, what with the pandemic and all.

What US city has the best thrift stores? ›

The Big Apple ranked first in both Access and Google Searches, proving to be the destination for finding secondhand treasures. While many New Yorkers might discover their used furniture on sidewalks, NYC has the most thrift shops and flea markets of the 200 biggest cities to explore distinctive decor and furnishings.

Is washing clothes in the washer enough after thrifting? ›

If in doubt about a piece, stick with hand-washing or put it on the gentlest cycle with cold or warm water instead of hot. To disinfect thrift store clothes entirely, you can also add some vinegar to your washing process with a natural and safe laundry detergent. After taking your washed clothes out, avoid the dryer.

Does putting clothes in the dryer get rid of germs? ›

It's the dryer—not the washing machine—that lays waste to harmful microorganisms. “High heat drying for at least 28 minutes is the most effective way to kill viruses,” Reynolds says. The “high heat” setting is key. Energy efficient, low-heat settings may not get the job done, she says.

Where do you put vinegar in a washing machine? ›

When washing your clothing, add 1/2 cup of vinegar to the fabric softener compartment just before the last rinse cycle. If you'd like your clothes to have a mild scent, add four or five drops of essential oil into the fabric softener compartment.

What is the easiest thing to flip? ›

The Best Items to Flip for Profit show
  1. Clearance Items.
  2. Bed-in-a-Box Mattress Returns.
  3. Furniture.
  4. Sports Memorabilia.
  5. Sports and Exercise Equipment.
  6. Musical Instruments.
  7. Power Tools.
  8. Baby and Kid Gear.

What are the easiest things to flip and make money? ›

Best Items to Flip for Profit
  1. Wood Furniture. Solid wood furniture is one of the best items to flip for profit for a few reasons. ...
  2. Upholstered Furniture. Likewise, upholstered furniture can also be profitable to flip. ...
  3. Outdoor Furniture. ...
  4. Antiques. ...
  5. Collectibles. ...
  6. Motorized Items. ...
  7. Appliances. ...
  8. Records and Record Players.
22 Jun 2022

What is the most profitable items to flip? ›

Where to sell items
  • Etsy. ...
  • Houses are the best items to flip for the most profit. ...
  • Old electronics are some of the best items to flip. ...
  • Name brand clothes. ...
  • Cookware. ...
  • Old board games. ...
  • RVs or campers. ...
  • Baby gear - cribs, strollers, etc. People are always looking for expensive items like these for lower prices.
25 Aug 2022

Should you wash thrift store clothes separately? ›

Hand-Wash. Hand-washing is the safest way to clean washable thrifted clothing the first time. If the tag on the garment says "wash separately before wearing," you can usually expect some dye transfer and color bleeding. Hand-washing will help remove some of the excess dye, but make sure to check the rinse water.

How do you disinfect second hand clothes? ›

Immerse the second-hand items in a bowl of hot water (not boiling) with a small amount of washing powder and a powder clothes disinfectant. Leave to soak for a few hours. Wash them again in the washing machine.

Is it better to go thrifting in the morning? ›

If you want to avoid a large crowd, you should think about shopping early in the morning on weekdays. Weekdays tend to be less busy, as most people are at work. The earlier you come in, the better. Weekends, when most people have free time, tend to be much busier than weekdays.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Msgr. Benton Quitzon

Last Updated: 06/08/2023

Views: 6136

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (63 voted)

Reviews: 94% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Msgr. Benton Quitzon

Birthday: 2001-08-13

Address: 96487 Kris Cliff, Teresiafurt, WI 95201

Phone: +9418513585781

Job: Senior Designer

Hobby: Calligraphy, Rowing, Vacation, Geocaching, Web surfing, Electronics, Electronics

Introduction: My name is Msgr. Benton Quitzon, I am a comfortable, charming, thankful, happy, adventurous, handsome, precious person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.