Milwaukee is home to lots of fun things to do, including shopping. Whether you’re on a budget, have extra cash to spend, or just want to browse, this Wisconsin city will not disappoint.
We turned to Google and Yelp to locate the 15 best thrift stores in Milwaukee, based on customer reviews.
From the corner store to the charity-driven shop, vintage or gently used consignment, you’ll likely find what you’re looking for at one of these places.
Here are 15 of the best thrift stores in Milwaukee. (Before shopping, here are some tips to help you spot fake designer goods.)
Bandit MKE — 1224 E. Brady St.
Bandit MKE is described as a trendy, high-end, second-hand retailer offering vintage and modern items. The owners had several successful pop-ups and decided to open a brick-and-mortar location. Bandit MKE sells items from the 1950s through the early 2000s but prioritizes unique vintage items. It sounds like the type of place where you can truly “make out like a bandit”!
Retique by Goodwill — 190 N. Broadway
Retique sells high-end women’s and men’s clothing as well as home decor and goods. Retique curates its inventory from Goodwill centers in Illinois and Wisconsin and also carries some great name-brand items like Banana Republic and Lululemon.
Plume — 3002 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Reviewers have found some awesome vintage pieces at Plume, which also sells items from local vendors and artists. Plume curates their vintage inventory from all over the country. They have clothing, shoes, accessories, furniture, prints, and more.
Plato’s Closet — 3 locations
Plato’s Closet is a nationwide chain that has been around for decades and continues to delight thrifty shoppers and those looking to make a buck or two. Milwaukee has three locations: 16750 W. Bluemound Rd. (Brookfield), 5020 S. 74th St. (Greenfield), and 9020 76th St. (Pleasant Prairie). Plato’s Closet buys and sells gently used clothing of all sizes, accessories, handbags, and shoes. You might find Urban Outfitters, Lululemon, Nike, and Free People among the brands in these stores.
Value Village — 2 locations
Value Village has been in the Milwaukee area since 1969 and has two locations with amazing deals: 729 S. Layton Blvd. and 3100 E. Layton Ave., where you can shop for clothing, jewelry, accessories, furniture, home goods, and more. There is another one at 4103 Durand Ave., in nearby Racine. Proceeds benefit the Military Order of Purple Heart Service Foundation, which supports veterans and their families.
All Goods — 2 locations
All Goods has two locations in the Milwaukee area: 1411 S. 72nd St. (West Allis) and 5709 N. Centerpark Way (Glendale). This thrift store sells vintage streetwear, T-shirts, sneakers, and sports merchandise, so sports fans and pop culture aficionados will surely find something here to take home.
Sole Salvation — 1693 N. Humboldt Ave.
Sole Salvation carries a wide variety of inventory with something for everyone. Shop for clothes, shoes, accessories, knickknacks, and more. They also carry unique jewelry from local artists. Reviewers say not to be fooled by the store’s size, as it holds a lot of great stuff!
St. Vincent de Paul — Various locations
St. Vincent de Paul has a handful of locations around the Milwaukee and Greenfield area, run by the St. Vincent de Paul Society of Milwaukee, which helps the local community in many ways. You’ll find some great deals on clothing, toys, electronics, furniture, home goods, and more. They also run regular deals like 10% off for veterans, seniors, and students Monday through Thursday.
Alive and Fine — 2652 S. Kinnickinnic Ave.
Alive and Fine sells vintage clothing and furniture from between the 1940s and 1990s. You’ll find cool and unique pieces that would otherwise be hard to find. This store also occasionally becomes a gallery space displaying local artwork.
Habitat For Humanity ReStore — Various locations
Habitat For Humanity Restore has a few locations where you can shop for furniture, appliances, and building materials, many of them discounted between 50% and 75% of regular retail prices. These stores’ profits go toward Habitat for Humanity’s mission to build affordable homes for local families in need.
SuperThrift — 5333 N. 91st St.
SuperThrift benefits the Adult & Teen Challenge Great Lakes organization, which helps people fight addiction and has a very successful rehabilitation rate. SuperThrift sells all kinds of items for a great deal, including clothing, furniture, home goods, and more.
REmodel Resale Fashion Boutique — 9401 W. Beloit Rd., Suite 112
REmodel Resale Fashion Boutique’s mission is a good one to support: Give items a second chance at life and circulate them through homes instead of in landfills. You’ll find items for men, women, and children, and you can get items starting at just $1! They also have a Poshmark page where you can check out some designer goods.
Tip Top Atomic Shop — 2342 Kinnickinnic Ave.
Tip Top Atomic Shop has vintage clothing and accessories from the 1940s to 1960s, as well as some mid-century modern furniture and retro knickknacks. The owners describe themselves as “rockabilly kids that decided to open a vintage clothing shop.”
St. Mary’s Thrift Shop — 13150 Juneau Blvd.
St. Mary’s Thrift Shop maintains well-organized merchandise that oftentimes is almost brand new and barely worn. St. Mary’s is great if you’re looking for clothing, accessories, shoes, and books. Profits benefit the St. Mary’s Visitation Parish school.
Ultimate Thrift — 4450 S. 108th St.
If you’re a DVD collector, Ultimate Thrift should be on your list of stores to shop, as they carry a huge collection. Much of their inventory comes from estate sales, so you never know what you’ll find. Shop clothes, furniture, books, electronics, and more. (Gen X mallrats: Were these your favorite stores in the ’80s?)