One of my most prized possessions as a kid was this eggshell-blue Care Bears T-shirt from thrift stores in Memphis. You know, the kind with the iron-on that cracks after it’s been washed a lot. I loved that shirt and wore it until the bears and rainbow on the front slowly started to fall off in little colorful pieces.
My mom bought the shirt for me at a thrift store for 25 cents, and I could never quite wrap my brain around the fact that this fine item had been discarded by some other little girl out there. How in the world could she have just… let it go like that? And how lucky was I to snatch it up?!
I approach thrift stores Memphis with treasure-scoring enthusiasm to this day, so thank God I live in a city like Memphis. While it’s been undergoing some major revitalization lately, Memphis is still classic AF, which makes for some seriously good thrift shopping and thrift stores in Memphis are always packed with some good finds.
So, with all the BBQ-drenched River Town spirit I can possibly muster, I bring you the top 10 thrift stores in Memphis. This list is designed to meet all your vintage fashion emergencies, designer-label-on-a-beer-budget hankerings and completely unwarranted “I have to have that” situations.
10. Goodwill (3830 Austin Peay Hwy., Memphis)
This Goodwill location in Raleigh is probably the best one in Memphis. With its massive selection and great prices, it’s hard to go wrong. If you find a Care Bears shirt, buy it and treasure it forever.
9. Mid-South Outlet (3432 Summer Ave., Memphis)
When you’re not tryin’ to be too fancy but need a giant selection, Mid-South Outlet would be your spot. Featuring clothes, books, movies, vintage furniture, kitchenware and collectibles, this place is straight-up thrift and reasonably priced. Make sure to keep your eyes peeled for some great hidden gems!
8. BAM! Thrift Store (1340 Madison Ave., Memphis)
It might look like a regular thrift store complete with books, furniture, clothes and accessories, but it’s much more than that. All proceeds from BAM! go to Adult and Teen Challenge, a nonprofit organization that offers a long-term, faith-based drug and alcohol treatment program for adult males. What’s more, members of the Teen Challenge program have an opportunity to learn skills like furniture-making and refinishing at BAM!. ‘Nuff said.
7. Southern Vintage (4210 Altruria Rd., Ste. 122, Bartlett)
How would I describe Southern Vintage? One hundred vendors and 12,000 square feet of antique and vintage epicness! In addition, this place is a full-on community with classes and special events. Vision Board and Make & Take Mini Macrame Succulent Holder classes? Yes, please! After-hours Ladies’ Night Out with food, wine and a vintage photo booth? Don’t mind if I do!
And with the twice-monthly sales, you have exactly zero excuses not to head over to Bartlett to see what I’m talking about. You’re welcome.
6. His and Her Consignment Boutique (875 W. Poplar Ave., Ste. 5, Collierville)
Finally, a high-end consignment store that isn’t just for the ladies! This trendy boutique goes out of its way to stock never-worn items with original tags for both men and women. The staff is super-friendly, and employees offer their services as personal stylists to help you choose that perfect special-occasion outfit. Let’s face it: Most of us can’t be trusted to make fashion decisions like that alone!
5. Sugar Plum Consignments (6100 Primacy Pkwy, Memphis)
Feeling deliciously fancy but shamelessly cheap? Sugar Plum will hook you up!
Your chances of hitting the jackpot are verrry good at this gem of a spot, which boasts a huge variety of gently used high-end and vintage items. There are loads of different styles and sizes, plus shoes, accessories, jewelry and handbags priced at an average of 50 percent below retail cost. That Louis Vuitton bag you’ve been flirting with in your fashion daydreams? Discounted, ready and waiting for you at Sugar Plum. Jus’ sayin’.
4. Repeat Boutique (3586 Summer Ave., Memphis)
It just feels good to shop at this resale boutique run by the Junior League of Memphis, an organization that promotes volunteerism.
Before you go buying a brand-new designer wedding dress, check out Repeat’s wedding gowns and formal wear section. There’s also a great selection of baby and toddler threads to keep your kiddos in style.
3. FOX+CATVINTAGE (2153 Central Ave., Memphis)
Go for Sally the shop dog, stay for the gorgeous collection of upscale vintage curated by owner/founder Miss Katie, who started this ultra-chic resale boutique on Etsy. I’m kind of obsessed with this place.
2. Celery Ladies Upscale Resale (3586 Summer Ave., Memphis)
This deliciously adorable store at the end of Brookhaven Circle is located inside a little celery-green house. After you get buzzed in, you’ll sashay into secondhand designer heaven! You’ll be slipped the daily sales on a piece of paper, as well as a glass of wine if you visit on a Wednesday. Celery absolutely nails its selection of high-end designer resale purses, shoes and clothes. Classy ladies, you will want it ALL.
1. Flashback (2304 Central Ave., Memphis)
Got a hankering for a 1970s fondue set? Flashback has it. Vintage Levis? Yup. Typewriter? Uh, yup.
In short, Flashback is a vintage-lover’s paradise, complete with furniture, clothes and completely random tchotchkes. If you don’t already own an Elvis statue, you can fix that problem here! Flashback is also the perfect go-to spot for unique last-minute birthday presents and outfits for decade-themed parties—and it offers plenty of parking to boot.
You may also be interested in: The Edge District Memphis
