I have compiled a listing of Thrift and Second Hand stores in Charlotte, North Carolina and surrounding areas. Great stores and great prices when you are shopping on a budget. Reviews and locations of Value Village, Community Thrift Store, Salvation Army, Goodwill, Habitat For Humanity, Once Upon a Child and Kid to Kid.
Value Village
2917 Freedom Drive
Charlotte
(704) 393-3492
4451 Central Avenue
Charlotte
(704) 568-8896
6300 South Blvd # 300
Charlotte
(704) 295-1468
www.carolinavaluevillage.com
Value Village is my favorite thrift store in Charlotte. I frequent the Freedom Drive location often. The store is spacious, and always clean. The layout is great, and its easy to find specific items. I once found a complete antique china tea set that serves 8 for about $24. I can never have too many black slacks, and I can find those in my size evey time for around $3-$6. There is too much to love about Value Village.
Their staff is not helpful at all, but once you get a feel for the store you wouldnt want to ask any questions anyway. You will be too busy trying to find a hidden treasure before someone else does! I have found many household items and unique decorations from Value Village. The furniture offerings are usually the bottom of the barrel, but their pricing does reflect that. If you need furniture fast and very cheap- they have what you are looking for. They also have an additional section in the back with used exercise equipment and wheelchairs if you are looking.
There is ample parking at the Freedom Drive location. Not only that, but two doors down is the Goodwill Used Electronics Store (many computers and accessories at great prices), and then two more doors down is a Goodwill Thrift Store. You can hit 3 great stores in one trip. Do your budget before you leave the house, or else you will overspend.
Community Thrift Store
3016 Freedom Drive
Charlotte
(704) 393-3117
Community Thrift store has grown so much since they first opened their doors. I was initially dissappointed, but
over the years they have grown to have many unusual finds. I visit Community Thrift for mostly furniture and
decorations, and havent looked for clothing much. This place stays crowded, and if you are able to find a parking
space, I am sure you will be able to find much more.
Salvation Army
1023 Central Avenue
Charlotte
(704) 332-1171
11328 E Independence Blvd
Matthews , NC
(704) 814-7031
www.salvationarmy.org
www.salvationarmyusa.org
The Salvation Army on Central Ave was my first formal introduction into thrift shopping. Fifteen years ago it was a dirty, dusty and smelly place where you had to sift through excessively used clothing that could have used two washings before they put them out for sale. Most furniture items purchased here were over priced, and required alot of refinishing work and a thorough cleaning to be useable.
Today, a lot has changed. The Central Avenue location has just reopened after an extensive and expensive renovation. They are now the area leader in used furniture. The clothing still sucks, and the influx of immigrants of every nationality will not let you get to any clothing bins anyway. I love the furniture offerings so much I go every Wednesday (when the new items are put out) just to see what they have for the week. They are still over priced for used furniture, but the quality of their items for sale have greately improved.
Parking is a big problem here. The lot accomadates about 20 cars yet the building usually has about a hundred people in it. Be prepared to be dropped off here. If not, you will be totally aggravated trying to park that you will not bee in the mood to deal with the crowds. Trust me, I speak from experience.
Goodwill
2515 Plantation Center Dr
Matthews , NC
(704) 814-7477
1909 Sardis Rd N
Charlotte , NC
(704) 841-8600
9305 Albemarle Rd
Charlotte , NC
(704) 567-9474
1725 Harris Houston Rd
Charlotte , NC
(704) 595-9611
12716 S Tryon St
Charlotte , NC
(704) 587-6183
10118 Johnston Rd
Charlotte , NC
(704) 341-0165
2901 Freedom Dr # A
Charlotte
(704) 394-6017
6607 South Blvd
Charlotte , NC
(704) 552-2878
3710 W Wt Harris Blvd
Charlotte , NC
(704) 597-1776
www.goodwill.org
Goodwill is a classic thrift shopping experience. The staff is always friendly and the store is always neat and clean. Goodwill operates 100% off of donations. This is the only organization that I donate my used items to. Over the years they have grown with locations all over town. I try to frequent them all on a regular basis.
Years ago, you would have to go to the Goodwill location near the nicer, pricier neighborhoods to find great deals. Today, it is not that way. Every Goodwill now has great finds. This may have something to do with a centralized donation center they now have in Charlotte. The furniture finds are far between, but this is a great place for clothing. I can always find clothing for my children and myself- clean, gently used and almost wrinkle free. They have different sales regularly. I have always enjoyed shopping at all of the Goodwill locations. They also have a great selection of computers at their Freedom Drive location as well as the South Tryon location. Other Goodwill’s offer computers as well, it is just a matter if they have any when you get there!
I respect Goodwill’s efforts in the community. They have a job training center and offer classes to the disadvantaged and undereducated. They assist with job placement as well. With my donations I not only get a tax write off and the opportunity to let someone purchase my gently used items at a fraction of the cost. I also get the comfort in knowing that someone is going to get to benefit from the cycle of buying and donating. It feels good to be a part of that.
Habitat For Humanity
3326 Wilkinson Blvd
Charlotte , NC
(704) 395-9456
1133 N Wendover Rd
Charlotte
(704) 716-7044
www.charlotterestore.org
This is my one stop for building fixtures, appliances, and sometimes furniture. If there is something that you need from Home Depot or Lowes, try Habitat for Humanity first. I have found outlet covers, switchplates, sinks, freezers, stoves, pianos and sofas when I least expect it. They also have windows, doors- anything you need involved in the repair or replacement of items for your home. I have also seen some of the most beautiful light fixtures and ornate glass panes here for a very reasonable price.
Habitat for Humanity assists the disadvantaged with an opportunity for home ownership through volunteers and loan opportunities not readily accessible to those with low incomes. This is a great place for homeowners and contractors to start any project. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful. Both locations have ample parking, and the stores are usually not very crowded the earlier you go.
Once Upon A Child
8700 Pineville Matthews Rd, #850
Charlotte , NC
(704) 541-5144
www.onceuponachild.com
This is a great place to shop for young children- newborns through toddler age. All of my children have owned cribs, strollers and clothing for this wonderful store. With a new baby, you want only the best for your little addition. Their items are clean and sanitized. When I shopped there, it was more of a consignment store. As I purchased items for my little ones, I was able to sell items to the store as well. When you enter it will strike you almost as an infant boutique, everything is displayed nice and neat. They have everything from toys to breast pumps- a great place for a new mom on a budget. How long is your child going to fit a size 3/6 mos. anyway?
Kid to Kid
4211 Park Rd
Charlotte , NC
(704) 525-7500
Another great place to shop for your children. Their store is a little pricey, but you get very nice items that have been very gently used if used at all. This store also worked like a consignment store- you can buy and sell your lightly used clothing here. Ample parking and no crowds have been my experience.
