By Katrina Simyab | Photography by Hillary Schave (Pictured: The Cozy Home)
Madison is a hotspot for secondhand shopping, from vintage to retro and everything in between. For those new to thrifting or old pros, think of this as your guide for your next new-to-you treasure hunt.
Chic Clothing
THE PINK POODLE
Focusing on high-end labels and designer fashion, the Pink Poodle includes 9,000 square feet of colorful hats, costume jewelry, handbags and clothing — some of which can also be shopped through their website.
6676 Odana Rd., thepinkpoodleresale.com
YADA FAIR TRADE & RESALE
This secondhand shop’s proceeds go toward raising awareness about human trafficking and assisting local trafficking survivors. Clothing is carefully curated (we bought a cute Old Navy sherpa sweatshirt for $10 when we visited!) and shoppers can also browse delicious-smelling, fair-trade bath and body items made by a Milwaukee-based collective.
2620 Parmenter St., Middleton, yadaftr.com
PLATO’S CLOSET
Teens and tweens can join in on the secondhand saving with name-brand shoes, clothing and accessories at up to 70% off retail prices. Find teen faves American Eagle, Hollister, Urban Outfitters, Free People and more. Both locations are always bursting with the latest in Gen-Z fashion.
7968 Tree Ln. & 1601 Thierer Rd., platoscloset.com
STILLGOOD’S
Visit here for an experience similar to raiding the closet of your stylish, vintage-loving friend. To master the art of high/low dressing, the well-organized mix of secondhand contemporary and retro pieces is great for assembling unique outfits.
1521 Williamson St., stillgoodsmadison.com
SINGLESTITCH MADISON
This State Street shop has rows of well-vetted inventory and is a popular place to snag vintage band T-shirts and throwback UW ‘fits. It’s even been a stop for celebrities passing through — Pete Davidson and Trevor Wallace have both shopped their racks.
214 State St., facebook.com/singlestitchmadison
UPSHIFT SWAP SHOP
To help reduce waste, designer Lindsay Leno started hosting clothing swaps before opening Upshift in 2013. With a similar sustainable concept, shoppers bring in a bag of clothing or accessories to donate, pay a swap fee, and then refill their bag from what’s in store.
836 E. Johnson St., upshiftswapshop.com
STYLE ENCORE
Situated on the East Side, Style Encore shares a parking lot with Plato’s Closet and Once Upon a Child — franchises all owned by the same parent company. The “sophisticated sibling” to these other stores, shop vetted, secondhand finds from brands like Ann Taylor, Madewell and Kate Spade.
1735 Thierer Rd., style-encoremadisonwi.com
RETHREADS
Curating vintage and collectible items along with popular brands, every trip to Rethreads is an exploration in fashion. As a buy/sell/ trade boutique, both women and men can shop recycled styles.
410 State St., rethreadsfashion.com
Astounding Antiques
ATOMIC ANTIQUES
A newer addition to the Madison antiques scene, this warehouse owned by husband-and-wife team, Bob and Jennifer Richardson, is one of the most interesting stops in the city. One hundred-plus dealers sell furnishings, jewelry, décor, records, clothing and so much more.
4546 Verona Rd., atomicantiquesmadison.com
MAPLE BLUFF ANTIQUE MALL
Upon arrival to this collector’s paradise, don’t be surprised if you’re greeted with a hearty “hello” from owner Carol Knight, or a welcome sniff from the shop dog.
4261 Lien Rd., maplebluffantiquemall.com
ANTIQUES MALL OF MADISON
Make an afternoon out of browsing over 120 dealer booths, all located in the city’s longest-operating antiques mall, open since 1982.
4748 Cottage Grove Rd., antiquesmadison.com
INSIDER TIP:
“Be open to finding anything — don’t go in with a plan — go early, and go often! Take time to research items after you’ve found them, and know what a real treasure is worth when you find one.”
— Mollie Martin, vintage curator, Good Day Shop, and owner, Kidsheets Vintage
Retro Realness
REWIND DECOR
With expertly curated midcentury and post-modern pieces, Rewind is the place to go when searching for that piece of kitschy décor that will have your friends asking, “where did you get that?”
1336 Williamson St., facebook.com/rewinddecor
RETRO REVOLUTION
Stacked with a riot of colorful glassware, vintage signs and collectibles, you won’t forget a trip here. 3225 E. Washington Ave., facebook.com/retrorevolutionmadison
Vintage Views
KOOL THINGS VINTAGE CLOTHING
The old adage “good things come in small packages” is spot-on when it comes to this Willy Street shop. Fans of vintage jeans, T-shirts, caps and jackets should absolutely add it to their must-stop list.
1310 Willy St., instagram.com/koolthingsmadison
GOOD STYLE SHOP
A staple of the Madison vintage community, Good Style Shop carries clothing from the 1930s through the 2000s. Can’t make it to their Johnson Street location? Shop the store online or mark your calendar for their twice-a-year Midwest Vintage Flea, Wisconsin’s largest and premier vintage fashion trade show.
817 E. Johnson St., goodstyleshop.com
INSIDER TIP:
“I usually recommend to people who are new to wearing vintage that they start with one piece per outfit. When you’re not used to wearing vintage, it can feel like a costume if you’re not comfortable in it.”
— Carrie Astin, owner, Sunne Boutique, which carries a small selection of vintage pieces
Haute Home
BOOMERANGS RESALE STORE
Affiliated with Door Creek Church Ministry, some of this store’s profits go to support community needs on the city’s North Side. On the last two days of the month, some of their items drop to 99 cents.
1133 N. Sherman Ave., boomerangsresale.org
THE BOUNTY
New to the scene, this artful, expertly-merchandised destination has “rooms” organized by theme, and offers killer vintage home goods and clothing.
1041 S. Park St., thebountymadison.com
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY RESTORE
While mostly a destination for thrifted building materials, both locations are goldmines for lamps, house paint, furniture and mirrors.
6201 Odana Rd. & 4207 Monona Dr., habitatdane.org/restore
DECONSTRUCTION INC.
This warehouse is bursting with locally-sourced architectural salvage, reclaimed lumber and vintage furnishings, mostly from pre-1940s homes and buildings.
1010 Walsh Rd. dcisalvage.com
WILLY STREET TREASURE SHOP
Discover the best in bits and bobs at this shop, where you can select a treasure from a mix of vintage and new things.
1236 Williamson St.
THE COZY HOME
We love a “choose your own” thrifting adventure. For quality, consigned furnishings, check out The Cozy Home’s original Monona location. For new and used furnishings, head to their new Middleton store.
6330 Monona Dr., Monona & 6801 University Ave. Ste. 140, Middleton, thecozyhomemadison.com
Pop-Up Sales
THE ATTIC SALE
For over half a century, Attic Angels’ Attic Sale has been a go-to event, featuring top-notch, gently-used home goods.
atticangel.org/events-news/signature-sales/attic-sale
HALF-PINT RESALE
The Madison area’s largest children’s consignment sale (held twice per year) is a local favorite.
LIL’ BADGER CONSIGNMENT SALE
In addition to biannual children’s consignment events, their annual holiday toy sale is popular too.
JUST BETWEEN FRIENDS SALE
The local franchise of JBF holds two children’s resale events per year in Dane County.
Closet ’Fits and Home Picks
VINCENT DE PAUL THRIFT STORES
Affectionately known as St. Vinny’s, veteran thrifters are sure to have a favorite location. (One BRAVA staffer says the Verona location is her favorite.) Good thing there are two in Madison, four more in neighboring communities, and even a Dig & Save Outlet Store on Park Street.
AGRACE THRIFT STORE
Visit one of three Madison locations, or visit them all for a full-day thrifting expedition. Agrace has two thrift stores, as well as a home store on Stoughton Road that only carries furniture and home décor.
118 Junction Rd., 2402 East Springs Dr. & 1946 S. Stoughton Rd., agrace.org/thriftstore
DANE COUNTY HUMANE SOCIETY THRIFT STORE
At this shop, you can help animals and score some great deals — talk about a win-win! Volunteer workers keep shelves stocked with everything from knickknacks and shoes to clothing and pet-care supplies.
6904 Watts Rd., giveshelter.org/our-services/thrift-store
GOODWILL
No matter what side of town you live on, chances are a Goodwill is nearby. Eight stores are brimming with thousands of items. Hot tip: they also sell online and have an auction website, too.
goodwillscwi.org (online marketplace: scwi-goodwill-marketplace.myshopify.com, auction website: shopgoodwill.com/categories/listing)
SIMPLY SAVVY
Home goods, art and clothing aren’t the only things shoppers can expect to find at Simply Savvy. As a quality consignment location, they have unique furniture for luxurious tastes at lower prices.
6333 University Ave. Ste. 102, Middleton, simplysavvyconsign.com
INSIDER TIP:
“I love my local Goodwill and St. Vincent de Paul. If I [have a] day, I love to jet off to … a small town and walk to the small antique and thrift shops in Jefferson, Fort Atkinson, Janesville, Watertown, Columbus and more. We are so lucky in the Midwest that we have access to so much great secondhand and vintage!”
— Cire’ Rosenbaum Cross, owner, Dune Gift and Home
For the Kiddos
ONCE UPON A CHILD
With a huge selection of children’s clothing and other big-ticket baby items (strollers, cribs, high chairs), a stop at Once Upon A Child is not only smart, it’s cheaper.
1651 Thierer Rd., onceuponachildmadisoneast.com
THE NEXT GENERATION
This Stoughton shop is a treasure trove of wonderful, gently-used kid’s stuff. They also carry toys and games. Bonus: they sell women’s clothing if you want to treat yourself.
161 E. Main St., Stoughton, nextgenerationstoughton.com
HAPPILY EVER AFTER CHILDREN’S BOUTIQUE
Save a bundle on the next size up! Offering discounted children’s clothing from nicer brands (Zutano, Tea, Mini Boden) from newborn up to size 10/12, this west side boutique also carries outerwear, shoes, toys and more.
708 S. Whitney Way, happilyeverafterchildrensboutique.com
Our Favorite Secondhand Finds
BRAVA staffers share their best style scores.
“As I was editing this feature, I realized I was wearing a leopard-print Lands’ End fleece from Style Encore. Easily my favorite women’s secondhand shop in town.” — Shayna Mace, editorial director
“I bought a $7 Brandy Melville sweater at the St. Vinny’s in Verona for my teenage daughter. She loved it.” — Dena Frisch, sales manager
“ The Middleton Goodwill always has hidden gems — I bought a brand-new Calvin Klein blazer for $10, and a side table for my living room for $5!” — Cici Rindy, social media manager
“At the east side Goodwill, I found a dresser for $10 — such a great find for my son’s nursery!” — Melissa Moody, graphic designer
