9 Detroit Thrift Stores For Life In Motor City’s Anti-Fast Fashion Lane

Looking for some thrifted streetwear like ‘90s sports jackets, a vintage NASA bomber jacket, or a retro windbreaker?

Public Thrift not only sells some of the best used clothing Detroit residents could ask for, but they also care about making their local community a better place.

They call their business model a “worker-cooperative,” meaning the power of the business lies in the hands of their workers. They proudly pay workers well-above minimum wage, partner with nonprofits and mutual aid groups to donate stock overflow, and provide consignment opportunities to locals to make a bit of extra cash.

They also host a wealth of neat events monthly, like their $10 Fill-A-Bag, where on the first Friday and Saturday of every month, customers can fill a bag for just $10, and can do it as many times as they wish.

Price Range: $–$$

An iconic streetfront carrying high quality vintage items of every era for affordable prices, Flamingo Vintage is one of the best thrift stores in metro Detroit. This 2500 square foot renovated vintage outpost provides impeccably curated selections, making it a favorite of wardrobe stylists, movie productions, musicians, and artists from all around the globe.

You might even get to say ‘hello’ to the Hives,

The wow-worthy selection will draw you in, and the vibrant atmosphere and impeccable organization (by color, then size) will keep you coming back. Alongside an epic selection of second hand Levis jeans and shorts, we also adore their 1940s and 1950s dresses, which one Google reviewer remarked includes an impressively larger size range for the era.

Did we mention their vintage cowboy boot selection will have your jaw on their well swept Art Deco floors?

Flamingo also hosts regular events like Friday live music nights and weekend Coney Dog DJ BBQ events. (If you’re not sure what a Coney Dog is, do you really know Detroit?).

Price Range: $$–$$$

The joy of thrifting is alive and well at Joy Thrift. This Hamtramck-based shop carries everything from clothing items, collectibles, home goods, housewares, and linens, to shoes, accessories, small furniture, toys and games, and tools.

As a non-profit, all profits go toward the work they do in the community with One New Humanity Community Development, who help to feed and clothe newly resettled refugees and local residents in need.

We’re especially impressed by their roundup of winter gear for extra affordable prices during the colder months, since Detroit winters are notoriously fierce. At the time of writing this, we saw a second hand goose down jacket for sale for just the price of your average food court meal.

Price Range: $–$$

If community vibes and designer labels at thrifted prices are the name of your vintage game, bolt over to BORO, one of the top Detroit consignment shops. With its tall white walls, contrasting black iron clothing racks, and vaulted archways, the modern-chic shop is about as cool as it gets for consignment shopping.

True to their name, you can either buy or borrow from them via the special occasion rental rack, available for 2, 4, or 8 day rentals—and you know how we love clothing rental services!

We especially love all the highly-tailored and structured ‘80s and ‘90s power suits they have for sale at the time of reviewing them, to channel your inner powerhouse magnate. Their handknit ethically sourced Italian angora sweaters by The Great Eros might be just what you need to survive the cold midwest winter.

BORO also sells vintage decor and hand-curated selection of locally made wellness products, plus they host a wealth of neat off-hour events like flower arranging, textile repurposing, local garbage cleanups, and community yoga.

Price Range: $$–$$$

Open daily, the 100+ year old Vintage Eastern Market easily becomes a full day affair with popular weekend events, food, and art spanning across its massive 15,000 square foot three-floor experience. It’s home to more than twenty vintage dealers and an astounding selection of vintage furniture, lighting, china, garden items, retro clothing, and jewelry, old coffee table books, records, and so much more.

Oftentimes the shopping overflows into the back alley, where food trucks, dance parties, and unregistered sellers take up to keep the vintage celebration going. Eclectic is the norm here, so arrive early, cash in hand (some do take cards,) and expect the unexpected!

We have our eyes on some sleek retro drinkware and bar cart, vintage framed bird art, a circular minimalist retro rocking chair with yellow leather seat, a 70s orange ceramic macrame hanging planter, and a deep red vintage Turkish rug.

Price Range: $–$$$$

Go cuckoo at Mama Coo’s Boutique, a quirky, bubbly, and highly celebrated local Detroit vintage gem for all things thrifted and gifted.

It has a cult following after many years as a pop-up around D-Town, and is female-owned and operated by vintage collector Alanna Rodriguez. As a lifelong resident of Corktown, Alanna is passionate about her community—her Mexican immigrant grandparents first moved into the apartment above Mama Coo’s in the 1940s!

You’ll find everything from vintage leather purses to mid-century modern furniture to old-school Playboy magazines—plus a handful of new items like novelty socks, enamel pins, and sunglasses. We’ve personally got our hearts set on a set of the “Cheers Queers” beer glasses, along with the cutest vintage Coach bag we’ve seen in a while.

Price Range: $–$$$

Hiptique Resale and Gifts keeps it hip and happening with upscale, budget-friendly, gently-worn, consignment, and new items offered in a stylish, clean, and impeccably organized boutique. From school and work to parties and pubs, Hiptique has something for everyone.

If you’re hoping to revamp your accessories, Nikki’s selection of gently worn, preloved scarves, jewelry, hats, and handbags are astounding… not to mention her selection of vintage rock t-shirts with the likes of ACDC, the Rolling Stones, and the Grateful Dead.

This shop likes to keep it moving—the merch, that is—so it’s more than likely you’ll stop in during some exciting flash sale for your retail therapy session.

Customers adore Nikki, the owner and founder, who makes sure everyone who walks through her doors has fun and finds what they’re looking for.

Price Range: $$–$$$

Grace Centers of Hope is a non-profit, Christian organization whose mission it is to help positively transform the lives of the “unwanted, addicted, and homeless” through faith, personal accountability, life skills education, and work-related programs. Your support helps them provide hope, jobs, and stability for in-need residents.

Clean, organized, helpful, and polite, all four Detroit Metro thrift store locations sell in-kind donations of homewares, toys, furniture, books, clothing, accessories, footwear, outdoor gear, and more.

Locals agree that Waterford is the favorite location, with 27K likes on Facebook and a 4.5/5 rating. It’s the great bargain, helpful staff, and good quality selection of gently worn items that keeps shoppers coming back for more.

Price Range: $–$$

Looking for a women’s linen suit or the perfect pair of $7 men’s pants? How about a vintage designer sweater or 14K gold filled bracelet at bargain basement prices?

Neighborhood Club has served the Grosse Pointe community since the 1920s. One step into the shop, and you’ll understand why this place has stood the test of time for over a century.

New items arrive everyday, along with daily discounts on everything from home goods to handbags, boots and shoes to framed artwork and more.

Price Range: $–$$