From Vintage to Modern, Here Are the 9 Best Thrift Stores in Minneapolis

Minneapolis is famous for its Midwestern charm and unique eats, is known as the "City of Lakes," and shares the title of Twin Cities with neighboring St. Paul.

It's also home to the Mall of America, a multistory, sprawling complex that shoppers can browse all day. If you're visiting Minneapolis for that reason, you might also want to check out some of the city's thrift stores, and there are plenty to choose from.

You'll find cute shops that offer vintage wares, and larger stores that you might recognize the name of. Some might even donate proceeds to charities, so it's a win-win.

We went to Google and Yelp to find the thrift stores in Minneapolis that people like best. Here are nine we think you'll enjoy. (Gen-X mallrats, were these your favorite stores in the '80s?)

Tandem Vintage sells thoughtfully curated second-hand goods, including clothing, accessories, and home goods. Founder Amanda Baumann opened the shop in 2021, 10 years after she started selling goods at pop-ups around the area. Baumann said she believes in buying high-quality pieces that will last, and she loves to mix colors, decades, styles, and prints, so you never know what you might spot at her store!

As of September 2024, Tandem is open Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, noon to 5 p.m., Sundays from noon to 4 p.m., and by appointment.

Sisterhood Boutique is located in the M. Health Fairview University of Minnesota Medical Center and run by young women ages 14 to 23 as part of the Brian Coyle Center Youth Entrepreneurship Program. They sell gently used women's clothing, shoes, jewelry, accessories, and scarves.

Yelpers love the cute atmosphere of the store and its affordability.

The Cat and the Cobra is packed with fabulous vintage finds from the 1970s through the '90s. Some items aren't marked so you'll even have bargaining room, which is always a plus.

The shop also sells many of its vintage finds on Etsy. One Yelper pointed out that the best bargains can be found in bins at the back of the store, so be sure to check those out if you venture in.

If you're looking for a way to help the Minnesota Habitat for Humanity, consider shopping their ReStore. It's a great place to find affordable items for your home, especially if you're remodeling or renovating.

The ReStore sells everything from cabinets to appliances, furniture, and windows. They get new items every day at this volunteer-run store. There is a second location in New Brighton.

Groovy's is a second-hand shop currently open on weekends in south Minneapolis. This small, family-run shop says it has a little bit of everything and something for everyone. You'll find clothing, books, art, vinyl records, rare knickknacks, and niche toys. It truly stands up to its "Groovy's" name by offering some eclectic items.

Encore Consignment Boutique is in the Mac/Grove neighborhood of St. Paul. You'll find thoughtfully selected, gently used modern and vintage clothing, some of it from top brands. The store also sells women's jewelry, accessories, and shoes. If you're interested in consigning, there's more information on their website.

b. Resale has been open for more than 10 years, offering reasonably priced fashionable items as well as locally made goods. They also buy and will give sellers 30% of their selling price in cash or 50% of the price in store credit. They're interested in streetwear, and brands such as H&M, Urban Outfitters, Levi, Nike, and Carhartt.

If you're looking for a thrift shop that gives back, head to Hidden Treasures Thrift Store. They sell furniture, clothes, housewares, hardware items, sporting goods, crafts, and more. Established in 2008 in St. Anthony, Hidden Treasures is a ministry-based business of Masterworks of Minneapolis, Inc., which provides job training.

Flying Pig Thrift in St. Paul is a nonprofit thrift shop run by volunteers and donations. A portion of its proceeds go to local nonprofits that promote social justice and aim to reduce gun violence. You'll find clothing, home goods, accessories, books, and more. The shop also works with local artisans to feature some of their items. When you enter the store, be sure to find out what their discounted color is for the month — and don't miss the bargain room. (Take a look at some trends that should go out of style in 2024.)