When you’re looking for the best thrift shop in Los Angeles or in any other major city, you may have to do a little homework to find it. These areas are quite large, and it can take time to find a store that fits your needs.
Thrifting is the practice of hitting up thrift stores to find those perfect, hidden treasures. Many people will make a day of it, traipsing across the city to various spots. It’s not the worst way to spend a day without spending a lot of money. You just might find something priceless in the process.
So, if you’re going to go thrifting, it’s smart to have a strategy on hand. Here are a few you can use before you go searching for secondhand treasures.
Coming or Going?
First, it matters if you’re donating or shopping. If you’re going to donate, you might not want to spend the time visiting multiple stores. Instead, think about finding a reputable thrift store for turning those items over.
Different stores deal with different markets. Some stores only want clothes. Some just want furniture or jewelry. Do a little research to find out what items the store needs and wants first. Some useful markers you can use to find a good thrift store include:
- Making sure their mission statement (or purpose) matches your own. You’ll feel better about donating if the store has ideas or values that you support.
- Make sure you know where the profits go. A thrift store that donates proceeds to a good cause will make the donation sweeter for you.
If you’re going to a thrift store, then you may want to make an afternoon of it! There are a wealth of thrift stores in the LA area. So, you may want to break it down by sections.
Where To Go
Los Angeles is bursting with places to shop and it’s a big city. LA is laid out in a grid pattern. So, east, west, north, and south will denote different areas of the city. Commerce centers are sprinkled throughout the city. However, one of the most popular areas where you can go thrifting is in west LA, particularly in Westwood. Close to UCLA, this area is full of various stores and eateries. So, while you’re checking out a Westwood thrift store, there will plenty of things to do before and after you’re done with the thrift hunt.
Establish Goals and Budget
If you’re hitting up a thrift store, examine your goals and then establish a budget. Are you looking at thrift stores because you’re working with a limited amount of money? Or are you seeking rare items that you may only be able to find in a thrift store? Do you know what you’re looking for in the store?
There are so many different kinds of things in thrift stores that you may find it very helpful to know what you want. Knowing what you want will also help you know how much you want to spend. It isn’t always bad to impulse shop, but it may not always be fiscally prudent. Between a targeted goal and an established budget, your thrift shop visit should be fun and fruitful.
Get Comfortable
If you plan to go thrift store shopping, make sure to dress the part. Leave the dress shoes at home and throw on a comfortable pair of sneakers. T-shirts and sweat pants are the perfect attire for this type of trip. You might be moving things around, picking up heavy items, or handling a whole bunch of clothes. Make sure your outfit allows you the flexibility and movability you might need for the trip.
