20 must-visit metro Detroit thrift and vintage stores

By Layla McMurtrie on Wed, Aug 16, 2023 at 11:27 am

National Thrift Shop Day is Aug. 17, and a perfect excuse to revamp your wardrobe or change up your style. Instead of buying from fast-fashion websites or unethical clothing brands, you can support local businesses and help save the planet by giving old clothes new life.

The Detroit area has a handful of thrift stores and many resale and vintage clothing spots selling upcycled one-of-a-kind pieces, most of which are pretty affordable. Here are some must-visit locally-owned vintage and thrift stores in metro Detroit.

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Facebook, Flamingo Vintage Detroit

Flamingo Vintage

5449 W. Vernor Hwy., Detroit; 313-489-3902; flamingovintagedetroit.com

Located in Southwest Detroit, this shop offers a wide collection of vintage clothing and jewelry. Before the storefront opened in 2018, the owner Nikki Neuzil sold resale items out of a green school bus.

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Instagram, @mamacoosboutique

Mama Coo's Boutique

1701 Trumbull Ave., Detroit; 313-404-2543; instagram.com/mamacoosboutique

Tucked away near a bunch of small businesses in Corktown, this quirky boutique offers upscale resale and vintage home decor, as well as women’s clothing and accessories. Follow their Instagram to be the first to snatch up new items.

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Courtesy photo

Not Sorry Goods

22963 Woodward Ave., Ferndale; 313-489-1402; notsorrygoods.com

This women-owned lifestyle retailer prides itself on inclusivity. The eco-friendly shop sells resale and vintage clothing and accessories, some uniquely made by Detroit artists.

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Courtesy photo

Public Thrift

10237 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck; detroitpublicthrift.com

After launching as a pop-up in 2020, this,worker-owned thrift store opened a brick-and-mortar in Hamtramck in 2022.

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Layla McMurtrie

The Thrit Depot

19 E. Cross St., Ypsilanti; 734-905-7499; facebook.com/thethriftdepot

This Ypsilanti thrift store has a mission to aid people experiencing homelessness and hardship in the community. One half of the shop is filled with clothes and the other half is filled with home goods, all at super low prices.

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Facebook, Ann Arbor Kiwanis Thrift Sale

Kiwanis Thrift Sale

100 N. Staebler Rd., Unit C, Ann Arbor; 734-665-0450; kiwanissale.com

Only open on Fridays 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m.-3 p.m., this thrift warehouse has a line out of the door on the weekends. The massive building offers anything you can think of — clothing, houseware, records, books, furniture, sports equipment, and more — all at a low price. Proceeds from the weekly nonprofit thrift sale go to supporting over 80 local nonprofits.

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Facebook, Motown Thrift

Motown Thrift

8050 N. Middlebelt Rd., Westland; 734-466-5276; motownthriftstores.com

While it’s not actually located in Motown, this family-owned thrift store opened not too far from the city in 2018, offering new items daily and rotating sales.

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Facebook, Eldorado General Store

Eldorado General Store

1700 Michigan Ave., Detroit; 313-784-9220; eldoradogeneralstore.com

This Corktown store sells locally made vintage clothing, trinkets, handmade jewelry, plants, and more.

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Facebook, Vintage Eastern Market

Vintage Eastern Market

1515 Division St., Unit B, Detroit; 313-666-0060; facebook.com/vintageeasternmarket

If you’re getting ready to move into a new apartment, Eastern Market’s vintage store will have your place looking cooler than all of your friends’. While mainly full of home trinkets, the shop offers some records and clothing in the back corner at reasonable prices too. Local vendors also fill the alley behind the shop to sell handmade clothing and accessories every Saturday.

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Facebook, Tekla Vintage

Tekla Vintage

9600 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck; 313-638-2768; teklavintage.com

This shop owned by Hamtramck’s former mayor Karen Majewski offers one-of-a-kind modern vintage clothing and treasures.

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Facebook, Rat Queen Vintage

Rat Queen Vintage

10031 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck; facebook.com/RatQueenVintage

An eccentric vintage shop known for displaying pet rats, as well as discount items on display in a “bargain casket,” Rat Queen Vintage is a must-visit for the wow-factor alone.

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Facebook, Joy Thrift

Joy Thrift

10334 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck; 313-462-4173; joythrift.org

This nonprofit thrift store uses its sales to help support the community.

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Facebook, Detroit Threads

Detroit Threads

10238 Joseph Campau Ave., Hamtramck; 313-872-1777; facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057463119330

Hamtramck seems to be a hotspot for resale shops, and this one is most known for its records. However, there is still some cool vintage skater-style clothing lining the walls too.

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Facebook, Ann Arbor Thrift Shop

Ann Arbor Thrift Shop

3500 Washtenaw Ave., Ann Arbor; 734-662-6771; annarborthriftshop.org

Awarding annual grants to social service agencies, this shop runs to aid the Ann Arbor community.

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Facebook, Services To Enhance Potential

STEP Thrift Stores

23830 Ford. Rd., Dearborn Heights; 313-633-0755 | 35004 W. Michigan Ave., Wayne; 734-728-9777 | 13705 Eureka Rd. Southgate; 734-284-0814 | stepcentral.org

These thrift and donation center locations not only offer tons of clothing and goods at a low price, but also provide work opportunities to people with employment barriers.

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Facebook, The Thrift Shop of Ypsilanti FP

Ypsilanti Thrift Shop

14 S. Washington St., Ypsilanti; 734-483-1226; ypsithriftshop.org

While this consignment shop may be tiny, it offers everything from houseware to clothing to music to toys. It is cash-only, though. All of its workers are volunteers and all of the profits are donated to local charities.

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Facebook, JR's Place

JR's Place

21056 Dequindre Rd., Warren; 586-486-5874; jrs-place-thrift-store.business.site

This family-owned thrift store sells basically everything you could imagine, whether it be clothing or necessities for any room in your home.

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Facebook, Lost and Found Vintage

Lost and Found Vintage

510 S. Washington Ave., Royal Oak; 248-548-6154; lostandfoundvintage.com

Established in 2003, this long-standing vintage clothing store in downtown Royal Oak is full of wonders.

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Facebook, Vintage Vibes Livonia

Vintage Vibes

16128 Middlebelt Rd., Livonia; 734-469-4045; vintagevibeslivonia.com

This store offers antiques of all kinds and vintage clothing for everyone.

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Facebook, Ann Arbor PTO Thrift Shop

Ann Arbor PTO Thrift Shop

2280 S. Industrial Hwy., Ann Arbor; 734-996-9155; a2ptothriftshop.org

There is no shortage of nonprofit thrift stores in Ann Arbor, and this one specifically helps out Ann Arbor Public Schools. Shop here and support education!

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