The Seattle Southside Guide to Thrifting

The Best Thrift Stores Near Seattle

There's something about shopping at thrift stores that taps into a sense of adventure. You never know what you're going to find, whether it's a crazy good deal on a rare treasure, a vintage item in great condition or a unique gift for less than a cup of coffee. Plus, buying secondhand is a great way to shop more sustainably. Below is our guide to some of the best thrift stores in Seattle Southside, along with tips about how to make the most of your shopping trips.

Large Thrift Stores

Boutiques and Specialty Stores

Great Value

Tips for Travelers

Aisles for Miles

If you're looking for stores with huge inventories, we've got you covered. There are several very large thrift stores in Tukwila, WA, conveniently located within a short drive of each other, so you can hit up more than one and make a day of it. As a bonus, they’re surrounded by tons of great restaurants and cafes where you can stop to fuel up after browsing the racks.

Value Village

16700 Southcenter Pkwy, Tukwila, WA, 98188

There may be hundreds of Value Village locations, but the one in Tukwila stands out for its impressive inventory. In addition to being very large and spacious, the store is thoughtfully laid out, with clear signs on all of the aisles so you can easily find what you need.

GREAT FOR: Clothes, shoes, accessories, jewelry, books, media, furniture seasonal decorations, and household items.

PRO TIP: There are two separate jewelry sections - a designated counter with a helpful staff person, and a wall of items you can browse yourself.

NEARBY: Half-Price Books, another awesome secondhand store, is right next door. There are also several restaurants within walking distance, such as Miyabi Sushi and Bai Tong Thai Restaurant.

Goodwill

1174 Andover Park W, Tukwila, WA, 98188

Those who frequent the Tukwila Goodwill rave about its friendly, helpful staff. It's not uncommon to get a wave or "hello" as you browse the aisles. As one particularly impressed reviewer wrote, "I want to move here just for that Goodwill." The Tukwila store is part of Evergreen Goodwill, a nonprofit organization that offers free job training and education programs.

GREAT FOR: Clothes, shoes, accessories, jewelry, books and media, seasonal decorations and household items.

PRO TIP: Goodwill frequently has "red tag" days when you can find select items heavily marked down or sold for $1.99. Check the Sales & Event Calendar for Evergreen Goodwill to find out when sales are happening.

NEARBY: There's a Habitat for Humanity store across the street to continue your thrifting journey. And right next door is Seattle Chocolate, where you can pick up delicious, locally made truffles or even take a tour of the factory.

Note: There are also popular Goodwill and Value Village locations in nearby Burien.

Habitat for Humanity

1185 Andover Park W, Tukwila, WA 98188

One of the best things about Habitat for Humanity is that you can browse the inventory online, making it super easy to identify if there's something you want before you visit. The store is part of Habitat for Humanity Seattle-King & Kittitas Counties, which helps people build, buy and repair their homes, and advocates for more affordable houses.

GREAT FOR: Home décor items, furniture, art, and toys.

PRO TIP: To see items at the Tukwila location, search on the company's website, filter your search for the Southcenter Store and then narrow your search by category.

NEARBY: The store is a short drive from other major thrift stores, such as Value Village and Half Price Books. It's also very close to Westfield Southcenter Mall and Sansaco Furniture Warehouse.

Boutiques and Specialty Stores

Sometimes, a smaller store or one that focuses on a specific kind of product is ideal you want a more relaxed, focused shopping experience.

Half Price Books

16828 Southcenter Pkwy, Tukwila, WA 98188

You might guess that Half Price Books is full of great deals on used literature, and you would be correct. But books are far from the only thing you can find there. Right when you walk in, you'll see artfully curated display tables spilling over with journals, puzzles (both new and used), planners, charming gift items, even novelty socks. Further in, find rows of records, DVDs and every kind of media you can imagine - including rare collectibles.

GREAT FOR: Books for kids and adults, DVDs and Blu Rays, CDs and records, journals, gifts and games.

PRO TIP: Have your eye on a new bestselling book? You can find those too, at lower prices to boot!

NEARBY: Half-Price Books is right next to Value Village and a few steps away from Kakigori Dessert Café, where you can treat yourself to unique sweets like red bean and mochi soft serve.

NU 2 U Thrift Store

21907 Marine View Dr S, Des Moines, WA 98198

NU 2 U in Des Moines may not be as large as some of the chain stores, but it is well stocked and curated. While much of the inventory is gently used, don’t be surprised if you see brand-new, unopened kitchen gadgets, personal care items and more. Thanks to partnerships with several large retailers, the store receives donations of new items as well. It's operated by Praisealujah, a local, faith-based organization that provides food distribution and other community services.

GREAT FOR: Accessories, clothing, new and used home items, sports gear.

PRO TIP: The store often posts new inventory on its Facebook page, so you can check to see if there's anything that catches your eye.

NEARBY: You can drive to beautiful Des Moines Beach in less than five minutes. While you're in area, stop at Quarterdeck, where you can take in waterfront views while enjoying coffee and a bite.

RE·PC

600 Andover Park E, Tukwila, WA 98188

A used laptop may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think "secondhand", but buying recycled tech products is a fantastic way to save money while keeping e-waste out of landfills. Tukwila's RE·PC has been filling this need for more than 25 years. Founded by two techie entrepreneurs in the 1990s, the store has everything from laptops and desktop computers to phones, tablets, cameras and more.

GREAT FOR: Recycled consumer electronics.

PRO TIP: If you forgot your phone or laptop charger on a trip, you can buy one at RE·PC. (It's one of the few types of products they carry new).

NEARBY: In addition to being near Westfield Southcenter Mall, RE·PC is right by Old Saigon Pho Restaurant, which serves delicious Vietnamese soup and sandwiches.

Great Deals on Premium Brands

In addition to thrift stores, there are several gems in Seattle Southside where you can find high-quality items at discounted prices.

Outdoor Research Outlet

21402 24th Ave S Suite K, Des Moines, WA 98198

Seattle-based Outdoor Research has a major cult following among climbers, hikers, backpackers, snowboarders, and other outdoor enthusiasts. At the Outdoor Research outlet in Des Moines, you can find incredible deals on the brands' high-quality gear and clothes, including products with minor imperfections for up to 70% off and unique items in less common colors. It's the only one in the country, and well worth a visit.

GREAT FOR: All kinds of outdoor clothing, including coats, hats, gloves, and more.

PRO TIP: The store often carries items from the previous season that are in perfectly good condition. So if you can wait a year to buy an item you see for sale online, you might get a great deal at the outlet store.

NEARBY: Des Moines Beach Park is about a 10-minute drive from the store, so you can take a stroll in your new apparel to give it a test drive.

Kasala Outlet

17275 Southcenter Pkwy # 100, Tukwila, WA 98188

Seattle-based furniture store Kasala is known for its sleek, contemporary furniture, which you can find heavily discounted at its outlet in Tukwila. If they don't have a chair or couch in the fabric you want, you can still have it ordered and delivered throughout the U.S. (though the delivery fees correspond with distance). Poke around the aisles and you'll also find unique home goods and gifts, including small pieces of art, colorful candles, and puzzles and games that are attractive enough to display.

GREAT FOR: Sofas, armchairs, and small home decor items.

PRO TIP: If you don't look closely, you might miss the smaller items as they're sprinkled throughout the store.

NEARBY: Paris Baguette and Neighborhood Cafe, both popular spots for coffee and treats, are both within walking distance.

Sansaco Furniture Warehouse

5920 S 180th St, Tukwila, WA 98188

Sansaco is somewhat of a local secret for finding classic and contemporary furniture pieces at lower prices than you'd find elsewhere. The 1,700-square-foot furniture warehouse in Tukwila holds furniture sourced from over 150 manufacturers, and many of the pieces are created in the United States by family-owned manufacturers. Customers express appreciation for the straightforward, honest sales process. As one reviewer wrote, "I've been going to Sansaco since the early 90s...and I will continue to drive an hour to shop here."

GREAT FOR: Furniture at a wide range of price points.

PRO TIP: Tell the staff exactly what kind of product you're looking for and what your considerations are (for instance, whether you have pets that shed), and they'll help you navigate the massive inventory.

NEARBY: Habitat for Humanity is very close, so you can check out both in one trip when you're shopping for furniture. It's also right by Westfield Southcenter Mall.

Tips for Travelers

Sure, thrifting is fun at any time, but there are unique benefits to shopping secondhand while traveling. In fact, some travelers go so far as to forgo packing entirely, buying everything they need at thrift stores after they arrive. Designer Jessi Arrington popularized the idea in a viral TED Talk about how she packed nothing for a week-long conference except for seven pairs of undies. Everything else she needed, she picked up at thrift stores around L.A.!

Of course, not everyone will want to go that far. Even so, thrift stores are great places to pick up items you wish you'd thrown in your suitcase. Didn't realize how sunny Seattle can be in the cooler months? Grab sunglasses and a baseball cap for less than $20.

MORE TIPS FOR THRIFTING WHILE TRAVELING:

If you have to carry your haul home on a flight, prioritize items that are lighter, pack easily and aren't too fragile. Some things to look for include:

Items that pack easily: In addition to clothes, accessories like hats, gloves, bags, wallets, sunglasses and scarves are all in large supply.
Souvenirs: Pick up gear for pro sports teams like the Seahawks and Seawolves, or knick-knacks with local flair.
Kids' items: Look for toys, books, games and puzzles.
Jewelry: Spruce up the outfits you packed without adding any weight to your suitcase.
Gifts: Books, small decorations and picture frames all make great, affordable gifts.
Costumes: If you're headed to a local Halloween event, thrift stores often carry both new and used costumes.

If you're road-tripping, you may even be able to pick up furniture. Consider bringing along a tape measurer to make sure you'll be able to fit your finds in your home, as well as packing blankets and supplies. Boxes or bins can help store smaller decorations.

Q: How does buying from a thrift store support the community?

A: Many thrift stores are part of larger organizations that support local communities. For example, Habitat for Humanity helps people build, buy, and repair their homes and advocates for more affordable houses. Goodwill aims to help people through job training and employment, housing support, and financial stability services. NU 2 U in Des Moines is run by a faith-based organization that supports the community through a food bank and other services.

Q: Where are the best places to find thrift store furniture in the Seattle area?

A: The Tukwila locations of Habitat for Humanity, Value Village, and Goodwill are all very large stores that carry furniture and household items. They are also conveniently located near numerous stores selling new furniture, such as Kasala Outlet. NU 2 U in Des Moines also carries furniture.

Q: Where are Outdoor Research Stores?

A: There are two Outdoor Research retail stores: the flagship store in Seattle and the Outlet Store in Des Moines, Washington.

Q: Where are the best places to sell used items?

While most thrift stores accept donations (check their websites to see what they accept), you can also sell gently used items to Half Price Books. Bring in your books, music, movies, collectibles, games, electronics, legos, and comics to see if the store is interested in buying them. They make an offer after seeing the merchandise, and the prices are based on the condition of the items and demand for them in the store.

Q: Where are all the good thrift stores?

A: In our humble opinion, the best thrift stores are in Seattle Southside - the broader area that encompasses the cities of Tukwila, SeaTac and Des Moines. These stores have large, well-maintained inventories, they're easy to park at, and they're close to tons of restaurants and amenities.

Q: Where are there Goodwill thrift stores in Seattle and the surrounding area?

A: There are several Goodwill locations in Seattle, Tukwila, Burien, Renton, and Redmond. Check the website for Evergreen Goodwill of Northwest Washington for addresses and details.