Boston is a cultured and thrilling bastion of American life and its thrift shopping opportunities are as varied and exciting as any other aspect of living in this college town.
We’ve put together this helpful list of our favorite stores to help you get started in your search for an awesome thrift shop bargain in Boston.
High Energy Vintage Clothing
This is a serious hidden gem, it’s one of the hardest thrift stores in Boston to find but it’s worth looking for.
It’s only open at odd hours too, so even if you run across it on the corner of Union Square you may find this vintage store is closed.
But if it’s open? You will get great deals on women’s vintage clothing and awesome tunes (they have records galore), cameras, vinyl, and more.
See our sustainable thrift shopping tips to get the most out of your visit here.
Address: 429 Somerville Ave., Somerville
Goodwill
Believe it or not, Good Will was founded in Boston’s South End (in fact, by a Boston University grad) and their thrift stores can now be found across the world.
They have many different stores in Boston too and unlike your average thrift store or consignment store, every item type has a fixed price. That makes it the perfect thrift shop to discover a genuine bargain in.
Address: 965 Commonwealth Avenue
Website: Goodwill
Buffalo Exchange
At the junction between a consignment shop and a thrift store, you will find Buffalo Exchange.
Buffalo exchange donates money to many different local charities, however, to fund this they will not give you a bag.
Their resale stores offer clothing for men and women and it’s always priced to move. If you want contemporary secondhand clothes and a youthful vibe, it’s the right place to be.
It’s places like this that turned us into thrift store addicts in the first place.
Address: 312 Harvard St., Brookline
Website: Buffalo Exchange
Vivant Village
This is the king of vintage stores in Boston and its down-to-earth vibe inside is in stark contrast to the giant colorful murals on the exterior.
It’s the place to go for vintage graphic t-shirts, leather jackets, and more,
If you’re a student or you teach them – then student discount day provides you with 15% off every Wednesday though prices are pretty reasonable all week long.
Address: 318 Lincoln St., Allston
Website: Vivant Village
Castanet
We love Castanet because it’s the best option in Boston’s garment district, you won’t get cheap here but you will get designer brands for a lot less than you’d pay for them new.
It’s the perfect place to shop for sparkly evening dresses.
Address: 175 Newbury St., Boston
Website: Castanet
Boomerangs
Boomerangs is a chain that runs from several locations in Boston. You won’t find vintage clothing here but you can get kitchenwares, art, books, and many other items here.
Their proceeds benefit the AIDS Action Committee which means every purchase is, essentially, a good deed too.
Address: 563 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge, MA 02139 or 716 Centre St., Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 or 1407 Washington St., South End, MA 02118
Website: Boomerangs
Great Eastern Trading Company
One of the very first vintage stores in the city was Great Eastern Trading Company. It opened up at the end of the 60s and it always has a great range of vintage treasures and vintage items.
Whether you’re going to a party or you just want to be noticed, you’ll find something truly noteworthy at this awesome thrift store.
Address: 49 River St., Cambridge
Website: Great Eastern Trading Company
We Thieves
This is a small, intimate boutique run by women for women. You can visit their store or just shop online using their website.
They have some lovely pieces from local artists and designers as well as vintage products.
Address: 1307 Cambridge St., Cambridge, MA 02139
Website: We Thieves
Covet Boston Costume
Covet is an amazing place, it’s like a local charity that focuses on keeping your money in your bank account.
They sell designer duds and other products for outrageously low prices (for designer stuff – you won’t find any $5 items here).
Their Instagram account offers an insight as to what’s on the rail at the moment and if you see something you like, hurry, we guarantee that it won’t be available for very long before someone else nabs it.
Address: 391 W Broadway, Boston, MA 02127 or 109 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114
Website: Covet Boston Costume
40 South Street
This is one of the funkiest stores in the city and the owner has a wonderful taste in punk rock fashion.
This is the place to go if you want vintage denim or pieces that are really going to make some sort of fashion statement.
You don’t have to visit the store to buy, either, you can always shop online at their Etsy store (linked on their main website).
Address: 40 South St., Jamaica Plain
Website: 40 South Street
Raspberry Beret
We don’t know if it’s named after the Prince song but if you want mid to high-end designer items for a reasonable price – Raspberry Beret is the place to go.
Address: 2302 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge
Website: Raspberry Beret
The Garment District
The Garment District in Kendall Square is a nice place for cheap bargains of both the vintage and the contemporary kind. You can also find some great kid’s clothes here.
Address: 200 Broadway, Cambridge
Website: The Garment District
Boston is hip and trendy and very much a college town. That means there are some amazing bargains to be had on the shelves and rails of the local thrift stores and we strongly recommend visiting each of the places listed above to see what you can find.
