Who doesn’t want designer clothes for pennies on the dollar? Thrift shopping, or thrifting, can get you some top quality brands for great deals, but you’re going to have to put in some effort. In honour of National Thrift Shop day on August 17th, we’ve put together a list of the best Toronto Thrift Shops for you to easily navigate.
The Best Toronto Thrift Shops by Neighbourhood:
East End
The Pegasus Thrift Store
The Beaches
Location: 931 Kingston Rd.
Contact: 416.913.2544
Pegasus is a company that provides adults with developmental disabilities meaningful activities and community engagement. Their Toronto thrift shop, located in the East end, sells high quality donated goods at very low prices. They have everything from name brand jeans to collectors items. They promise that there is something for everyone. All the goods are donated by friends and neighbours and the shop is operated by volunteers, Pegasus participants and staff.
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St. John’s Thrift Store
East Danforth
Location: 2155 Danforth Avenue
Contact: 416.698.9848
St. John’s Thrift Shop is a known favourite for thrifters in the East end because of their great finds. To make it even better, all of the revenues are reinvested back into the community, so you know that your money is going to a good cause.
Downtown
Fashionably Yours Designer Consignment Boutique
West Queen West
Location: 709 Queen St. West
Contact: 647.802.9687
Fashionably Yours is one of your classic high-end designer consignment stores. They specialize in buying and selling pre-owned, authentic designer apparel, bags & accessories by Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Hermes, Gucci and luxury items from all over the world. Now this probably isn’t the thrift shop to go to if you’re looking for $2 t-shirts, but if you want to enjoy the finer things in life at a discounted price then this spot should definitely be on your list.
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Black Market
Queen West
Location: 256 Queen St. W
Contact: 416.599.5858
We couldn’t write a round up of the top thrift shop in the city without mentioning The Black Market. Famous to Torontonians, this Queen West store is filled to the rim with all the used clothes you can imagine. Ugly Christmas sweaters, handmade patches, old records; you can find anything and everything you need, for very, very cheap. We aren’t kidding, most things are $10 or less.
Courage my Love
Kensington Market
Location: 14 Kensington Avenue
Contact: 416.979.1992
Kensington Market itself is known for it’s relatively good prices, so it only makes sense that it’s the home to Courage my Love. The $5 dollar rack standing outside is always sure to attract pedestrians, but the treasures inside are even better. Persian rugs, high-quality beads and buttons and saje fills the shop. The family who runs the shop is very kind, if you have a minute stop by and say hi!
Bungalow
Kensington Market
Location: 237 Augusta Avenue
Сontact: 416.598.0204
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Bungalow has over 3000 sq. filled with all the odds and ends your house might need. Danish dining set? Check! Dansk cookware? You got it! They also pride themselves in their collection of exciting new and vintage fashions, and exquisite collector pieces from the 40s – 60s. If you’re in the neighbourhood, check out Courage my Love, just around the corner.
West End
Stella Luna
Roncesvalles
Location: 1627 Queen St. West
Contact: 416.536.7300
Stella Luna is one of our favourites for thrifting. Located near Queen and Roncesvalles, it is worth trekking out to. Firstly, all of the clothing is hand picked and carefully arranged by colour. Not only aesthetically pleasing, but easy to find exactly what you’re looking for. The owner is always happy to help you find that hidden gem that you’ve been looking for. Ask to see the basement if you’re looking for something out of season, or especially formal!
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Public Butter
Parkdale
Location: 1290 Queen St. West
Contact: 416.535.4343
Public Butter has been a Parkdale staple since 2008. It’s huge shop doesn’t really focus on any particular item, but has a little bit of everything. From clothes, to furniture, to art made my local artists, this place has it all. Best part is all of the goods are handpicked, so you’re sure to be going home with the coolest vintage stuff around.
Lori’s Locker
Etobicoke
Location: 300 New Toronto St. Unit 19
Contact: 416.300.8800
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Operated by Lori and Dan Emmons-Norkum, Lori’s Locker has been in the treasure-hunting business for years. While the majority of their finds come from storage locker auctions, they search out items at estate sales, regular auctions and garage sales. With all of this searching, the inventory is constantly changing and is never the same from week to week, so if you can’t find what you need you can always come back.
Hit up one of these Toronto Thrift Shops on August 17th to celebrate National Thrift Shop Day and add a little more excitement to your closet!
Have you been to any of these Toronto Thrift Shops? Let us know what you think below, and tag us in your photos, use #TorontoVIBE, or slip them into our DMs @ViewtheVIBE for a chance to be featured online and on our social.
