Over the last couple years I have found lots of useful items at resale and thrift stores in the Northwest Suburbs. I love the thrill of finding something interesting and affordable.
I put together this thrift store guide. It covers the near Northwest Suburbs, complete with a mapped route. The thrift shops are in Arlington Heights, Des Plaines, Niles and Chicago.
If you live anywhere near Rand Road, Dempster or Northwest Highway, you’ll be able to follow this map. If you are really ambitious, you could do it in one day! Let me know if you notice anything missing from this list. I’d love to find out about new places.
I scored each thrift store with dollar signs according to how expensive they typically are. However, you can always find those hidden gems (like a $7 vintage sweater in a huge rack of $7+ sweaters from Target and Kohls).
Thrifting Route
Here are the directions to the thrift shops. You’ll find details on the shops below.
A. Salvation Army $
250 W Rand Road
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
Monday-Saturday 9am-9pm
Closed Sunday
This Salvation Army overflows with household items. You have to dig a bit, but I have found some nice housewares at this location.
Some finds: $0.32 vintage canning jars (on a 1/2 price tag day), $3 vintage silk slip with metal hardware
B. Goodwill $$
1551 N Dryden Avenue
Arlington Heights, IL 60004
9am-9pm Monday-Friday
9am-8pm Saturday
10am-7pm Sunday
I prefer this Goodwill over the other Arlington Heights location. They have tag discount days on Sunday and Monday.
Some finds: $2.99 vintage purse, $0.79 paperbacks
C. Frisbee Resale (sign says “Once and Again”) $$$
50 E Northwest Hwy
Des Plaines, IL 60016
Monday – Saturday 9:30am-4pm
Great for vintage finds.
Some finds: $5 vintage dress, $5 oil painting
D. Wings Resale $$$
8349 W Golf Road
Niles, IL 60714
Monday-Friday 10am-6pm, Thursday until 8pm
Saturday-10am-5pm
Sunday-11am-5pm
Good for complete dish sets, furniture, and decor items. They have clothing organized by designer if you like brands like Ann Taylor, Talbots, etc.
Some finds: $3 Christmas Wreath (that’s still on my door..haha), $2 wicker plant stand
E. Salvation Army $
6715 Dempster Street
Morton Grove, IL 60053
Monday-Saturday 9am-9pm
Closed Sunday
Less housewares than the Arlington Heights location, but still some good finds
Some finds: $2 replacement pillowcase that matches my bed set (I bleached the other one), $5 vintage coat(on a 1/2 price day)
F. Avenues Thrift Shopee Furniture Annex $$$
Closed, but thrift shop next door is still open.
7700 W Touhy Avenue
Chicago, IL 60631
There are two stores. One has vintage and antique furniture and the other is a thrift shop. I would recommend checking out the furniture annex first. They have a lot of high quality and interesting items.
Some finds: $25 1950′s green vinyl armchair, $40 vintage camp set
Good luck hunting!
i like the way you set this up! very informative
and obviously the finds are great.
Thank you!
I get the shakes if I haven’t been into Thrift Town for a few days. I pass by every now and then and cnnaot resist coming in to see what’s new! I have been watching What Not To Wear on TV and started shopping the better clothes. Not being able to spend lots of money on my new look, I knew I’d find something really nice at Thrift Town .and guess what I found three suede jackets (not all at the same time, though!), brown, teal, and beige all beautiful and in EXCELLENT condition. Then I found a frilly blouse that looks tremendous with the teal jacket (all of them!!!). A while back I found some black slacks (at T.T.) that work with this outfit soooo well!!!The only thing I did buy from a retail store were some on sale boots for less than $20. So I now have, at least, a $150 outfit!I will be sending a picture of this outfit in as soon as I get someone to take a picture for me.Brenda Phillips
I’ve been thinking of making a list of our salvage stores and thrift shops in Baltimore. You’ve gone the extra mile (pun intended) and set up the route with map and descriptions. Awesome!. Gives me something to work toward. Jo @ Let’s Face the Music
Cool, hopefully people will find our guides useful & the charities will benefit!
Pingback: Porch – Then and Now | Spices & Spackle
Gawd!!! wish I would have found this weeks ago!!!! Looking for a dresser/chest to paint for my daughters room or for my entry. When you look online many times these places are closed or when you show up they are outrageously priced (consignment)…thanks and I did score at the Salvation Army in Arlington Heights! They have lots of dressers, had a hard time choosing….I will be back…one project at a time
Great! I’m glad you find my list helpful. I’d love to see what you do with the dresser.
I was just at that Salvation Army a few weeks ago. I found a dress that I love for $3 and some change. Good luck thrifting!!
Pingback: J.Crew Top – Thrifty Thursday | Spices & Spackle