6 Southern Arizona Thrift Stores Owned and Loved by Locals

By Britteny Dee

August 22, 2023

Thrift stores often offer unique items at affordable prices, and fortunately for savvy shoppers in southern Arizona, there are plenty in the area.

Southern Arizonans will find no shortage of secondhand stores full of extraordinary gems and goodies, and we’ve rounded up some of the best.

Whether you’re looking for retro clothing, secondhand furniture, or quirky trinkets, eclectic treasures await at these thrift shops.

Tucson Thrift Shop

319 N. Fourth Ave., Tucson

9 Southern Arizona Thrift Stores Owned & Loved by Locals

Photo courtesy of Tucson Thrift Shop via Instagram

Despite its name, Tucson Thrift Shop is more of a vintage store than a thrift shop, but it’s so beloved we still think it deserves mentioning in this roundup. The store specializes in clothing and accessories from the 1950s-’90s and also offers a great selection of recycled and new costumes, props, wigs, makeup, and more. If you have a themed party coming up or want to find a unique Halloween costume, Tucson Thrift Shop has you covered.

“ONE-STOP COSTUME SHOP AND SWEET THRIFT OPTIONS!! No exaggeration, our lives have changed since shopping here. It’s like we have a whole new outlook on ‘dressing the part.’ We have officially sworn allegiance to this Tucson gem.” – Anthony Garzon, Google review

Midtown Mercantile Merchants

4443 E. Speedway Blvd., Tucson

Photo courtesy of Midtown Mercantile Merchants via Instagram

Why settle for one thrift store when you can shop at several under one roof? Midtown Mercantile Merchants is a vintage and antique mall featuring more than 100 different merchants. In this thrifter’s paradise, you’ll find everything from furniture and kitchenware to jewelry and artwork. Be sure to wear some comfortable shoes because this place is massive and you’ll want to explore every inch of it.

“My first trip to Midtown Mercantile will not be my last! So many gorgeous booths and many treasures to find! This place is so huge, give plenty of time to search.” – Courtenay L., Google review

Resale Ranch

13645 W. Sagebrush Road, Marana

Photo courtesy of Resale Ranch via Facebook

Resale Ranch calls itself a “time capsule of American history,” and it’s easy to see why. The thrift and consignment store sells all sorts of oddities, furniture, and collectibles from decades past. New (old) items are added daily and can include everything from stained glass window panels to go-karts to Elvis memorabilia. There’s plenty of jewelry, clothing, and home goods for sale, too.

When you visit Resale Ranch, you get more than a stellar shopping experience, though. It’s located on a farm, with ducks and goats on site that you can feed.

“LOVE THIS PLACE! Amazing to browse through all of the unique items! If you love antiques and thrifting, make the trip here!” – Kerry Minarik, Google review

Humane Society of Southern Arizona Thrift Store

1010 S. Wilmot Road, Tucson

Come for the great deals on clothing, shoes, toys, electronics, and more, then stay for the adorable animals. That’s right, in addition to being a thrift shop, the Humane Society of Southern Arizona Thrift Store also has an adoption area where you can visit with adoptable pets on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

“Great store with a great cause. Store was neat and clean. Well organized and good selection. Staff was friendly and extremely helpful. My first ever visit, and I will definitely be returning.” – Frankie Juvera, Google review

How Sweet It Was Vintage

424 E. Sixth St., Tucson

Photo courtesy of How Sweet It Was Vintage via Instagram

If you’re searching for vintage clothing to add to your wardrobe, a visit to How Sweet It Was Vintage is a must. The shop, located in the heart of Tucson’s historic district, has an impressive selection of dresses, shoes, accessories, and outerwear. If you can’t make it to the shop in person, don’t worry. Every Sunday via Instagram Live, the store hosts an online shopping session featuring new vintage items, which can be shipped to you for a fee of $10.

“One of the nicest vintage stores I’ve ever had the pleasure of shopping at. The pieces are unique, and the buyer(s) clearly have an eye for vintage fashion. I was ‘oohing’ and ‘aahhing’ over nearly everything. I loved the attention to detail with styling outfits, so much so that I bought an entire outfit directly off the mannequin!” – Evan Childress, Google review

Vail Depot Thrift Store

13105 E. Colossal Cave Road, Vail

Photo courtesy of Vail Depot Thrift Store via Facebook

The Vail Depot Thrift Store, a former feed store, was transformed into what it is today after the Vail School District acquired the land it’s on. The then-superintendent convened with a group of community members to determine how best to put the building to use. They decided to open a thrift store and use the proceeds to support a food bank, located on the same property in its own building.

Customers can browse and shop for household items, clothing, artwork, furniture, and more. If you want to take a peek at the store’s inventory before making the trip there, they do a great job of posting new items on Facebook.

“Amazing place run by locals. They give all proceeds to the Vail Food Bank (ReSources). You never know what you might find. Truly a diamond in the rough.” – Kristin Carrafa, Google review

Author

Britteny Dee

Britteny has worked as a professional writer for more than a decade. She launched her career as a features writer in New York City, covering fashion, food, hospitality, and beauty. She has contributed to a wide range of publications, including Bitches Who Brunch, International Business Times and Glam, and has worked with famous faces such as Kate Upton and Nigel Barker throughout her career. She is currently a freelance writer focused on a variety of lifestyle topics, including travel, fitness and food.

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