Thrifted, vintage & affordable outfit inspiration
 
The Outfit Repeater

 

 

 

This THRIFT STORE MAP is your ultimate resource for cool thrift stores and hidden gems you never knew about. Every thrift store on the list contains my honest first hand experience of a second hand shop. Check back often as the list is always growing!

WISCONSIN

ILLINOIS

IOWA

ALBANY

Albany Thrift Store

5/5

Where at?: 601 N. Mechanic Street Albany, WI 53502

 

Pros: I love the charm of this small town thrift store run by volunteers. Prices are super cheap, almost too low. Every Saturday is fill a bag of clothes and accessories for $5!

 

Cons: Space is a little crowded but well kept!

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Incredibly low prices.

 

Find ’em online: No online presence

ARGYLE

Clara and Fran's Home Goods

4/5

Where at?: 204 E. Milwaukee Street, Argyle, Wisconsin 53504

 

Pros: A small space with a little bit of everything at low prices. The staff was friendly and said most donations came from a hoarded storage shed in their family.

 

Cons: None!

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Treasures!

Find ’em online:

BEAVER DAM

Goodwill

5/5

Where at?: 130 Frances Ln, Beaver Dam, WI 53916

 

Pros: Has a loyalty program. Participates in daily colored tag specials. Very affordable. Clothing is priced per item.

 

Cons: None!

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: I honestly feel like they have a strong selection of media (movies, music, books).

Find ’em online:

BENTON

Beginning Point Church Thrift Shop

5/5

Where at?: 148 Third Ave. in Benton, WI 53803 (formerly Benton Bible Church)

 

Pros: Clean and well organized. Has table out front of free stuff. Really nice volunteers.  Clothes are half price every Friday!

 

Cons: Hours are somewhat limited so plan accordingly.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Everything!

Find ’em online:

EVANSVILLE

Evansville Ecumencial Care Closet

5/5

Where at?: 202 S Madison St, Evansville, WI 53536

 

Pros: Items are fairly priced. Occasionally runs sales. Lots of volunteers to help out with your questions. Good for the community!

 

Cons: The store has very limited hours and the location is small so it’s best to time your trip appropriately so you don’t get caught in a rush.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Clothes and books really take up a lot of space in there!

Find ’em online:

FOND du LAC

Salvation Army

4.5/5

Where at?: 79 W Pioneer Rd, Fond du Lac, WI 54935

 

Pros: Very affordable and fair priced. Frequently runs sales. Participates in daily colored tag specials. Has clearance rack for clothes. Right next door to a Goodwill!

 

Cons: Parking lot is difficult to access. Items are categorized but not laid out well which can be confusing. Has set prices for each clothing category which I’m personally not a fan of.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Inexpensive clothing and household needs.

Find ’em online:

Second Impressions

4.5/5

Where at?: 325 Winnebago Drive, Fond du Lac, Wisconsin 54935

 

Pros: This store is huge and very well organized. It participates in a color tag sale every day. The staff was so friendly. 

 

Cons: Prices were a little tough to track down but overall everything was fair. Not a lot of clothes!

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Holiday & knick-knack items!

Find ’em online:

Chapter 52 Bookstore

4.5/5

Where at?: 52 Sheboygan St, Fond du Lac, WI 54935

 

Pros: This small store is very clean and well organized location. Lots of discounts and sales running. So much to uncover! (No pun intended)

 

Cons: All items are ex-library copies which means there always a chance of quality issues.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Inexpensive books, CDs, and other media.

Find ’em online:

Fort Atkinson

St. Vincent de Paul

4.5/5

Where at?: 1525 Summit Dr # 4, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538

 

Pros: There’s so much stuff that it’s actually split it into two giant rooms. Reasonably priced though some things were hard to find a price on at all. Participates in a daily color tag special.

 

Cons: Takes a bit of digging to find the good stuff! It’s a little off the beaten path so follow your GPS accordingly.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: A one-of-a-kind household item.

Find ’em online:

Goodwill

5/5

Where at?: 1530 Madison Ave, Fort Atkinson, WI 53538

 

Pros: This Goodwill location situated in the South Central Wisconsin system is what I like to call a “micro” store. It has all the things you love about Goodwill but in a compact building. It’s clean, well curated, and has average pricing.

 

Cons: None.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: A little bit of everything.

Find ’em online:

Horicon

Bethesda Thrift Shop

5/5

Where at?: 620 Washington St, Horicon, WI 53032

 

Pros: This huge space had equally huge discounts on everything. The low prices were a big perk to me. A little off the beaten path but worth the stop!

 

Cons: Not much for plus size clothing!

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Books, CDs, and movies.

Find ’em online:

Janesville

Goodwill

4/5

Where at?: 2003 Holiday Drive, Janesville, WI

 

Pros: The staff is very friendly and accomodating. There’s no shortage of stuff. It feels like a high volume donation store! I’ve shopped here for over a decade and I can tell they’ve recently been putting a lot of effort into organization. This is a huge plus because it used to be such a mess!

 

Cons: While very organized, this store can be overwhelming to a novice thrifter because there is so much to look at. I guess a good problem to have?

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: If you’re down for a hunt, they have lot of household stuff to sift through!

Find ’em online:

Salvation Army

5/5

Where at?: 2717 Milton Ave, Janesville, WI

 

Pros: This is the better Salvation Army, if you’re going to choose just one in Janesville. The location is well kept and organized, they frequently run sales, and I always have positive interactions with the staff. If you even ask nicely, they’ll tell you some more thrift stores in the area you should check out!

 

Cons: If there are any, I’m probably just ignoring them because I just like this store a lot. (Ok ok, there is no online presence to track sales so that’s a bummer!)

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Definitely great for clothing thrifters like myself because of their frequent sales!

Find ’em online:

J&B Outlet and Resale/Thrift (formerly Repeat Retreat)

3/5

Where at?: 2342 Center Ave, Janesville, WI

 

Pros: J&B is a thrift store on steroids. It has a huge space – two large rooms full to the brim with goodies. Everything is set up by individual vendors so it’s like shopping a giant flea market without having to deal with the sellers. This is really a one-stop-shop for families, sports fan, movie buffs, and other collectors. Prices are overall fair per booth.

 

Cons: Building is fairly unmarked so keep an eye out for it when you’re driving. Skip this place if you have allergies, mobility issues, or are short on time. The amount of items stacked where they shouldn’t be is alarming and seems unsafe. Be careful when moving around! I also had trouble tracking down prices, but this is a problem with the individuals sellers and not the store itself. Could make haggling difficult if you enjoy that!

 

Ideal for thrifters that..: Have a collection to complete, an entire day to waste, and a desire to dig under mounds of stuff.

Find ’em online:

Agrace Thrift Store

5/5

Where at?: 2043 Humes Rd, Janesville, WI 53545

 

Pros: Very friendly staff. Well organized. Small but manageable so you don’t feel overwhelmed. Very clean environment! Prices are fair on most items. Has frequent sales, especially on seasonal items. Profits go towards a good cause.

 

Cons: None.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Clothes and accessories.

Find ’em online:

Jefferson

Twice Is Nice

4.5/5

Where at?: 907 W Racine St, Jefferson, WI 53549

 

Pros: I personally believe this is a must-stop if you’re doing a road trip through Wisconsin. This place is huge and very well organized! It was recently remodeled and expanded in the last 10 years. The low prices will shock ya! And there’s so. much. stuff. 

 

Cons: It was incredibly busy during my last visit but the staff remained patient and friendly. The store was filled with older customers who were quite rude. This isn’t really a reflection on the store but something to take into consideration if you like quiet stores.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Everything. But the clothing selection (especially for children) is the largest I’ve ever seen.

Find ’em online:

Kiel

St. Vincents de Paul

3.5/5

Where at?: 1234 Teckla Pl Kiel, Wisconsin

 

Pros: This hidden location pays off with big discounts, special sales, friendly staff, and really low prices.

 

Cons: Not much selection and there was an odd mildew smell throughout the building despite it seeming very new. (It did leave a scent on my items, FWIW)

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Everything.

Find ’em online:

Madison

Dane County Humane Society Thrift Store

5/5

Where at?: 680 Grand Canyon Dr #5, Madison, WI 53719

 

Pros: This store helps the animals and there was a real live cat in the store during my last visit! Very affordable and friendly atmosphere.

 

Cons: Location is small so there’s not a lot of stock. Also, parking can be a little tight.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: They have a great selection of second hand pet supplies. Also, clothes dominate the sales floor.

Find ’em online:

Vinny’s Odana | St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store

4/5

Where at?: 6301 Odana Rd Madison, Wisconsin

 

Pros: This location was remodeled in the last five years and it’s just astounding how huge it is and how well they fill in the space. You have to be quick to catch is as it’s just around a bend but the parking is plenty and it’s certainly worth stopping in.

 

Cons: Like most Vinny’s location, this has a “repro” clothing section of higher-end clothes. This is not necessarily a negative but sometimes you might get your hopes on an awesome piece of clothing, only to realize it’s priced 2-3x higher than the other stuff.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Furniture and clothing are in abundance. Watch their Facebook page for upcoming curated shopping events like vintage Pyrex or Legos!

Find ’em online:

Goodwill - Verona Road

4.5/5

Where at?: 4530 Verona Rd, Madison, WI 53711

 

Pros: This is one of the OG Goodwill locations in Madison and still one of the best. The manager claims it gets the most textile (clothing!) donations of all the area stores. Score!

 

Cons: Location is a little tough to get to, but worth it.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Clothes!

Find ’em online:

Monroe

St. Vincent de Paul

3/5

Where at?: 501 1st Ave, Monroe, WI 53566

 

Note: This is my hometown store. I don’t usually recommend it but if you’re itching to thrift and can’t get anywhere else, it will suffice.

 

Pros: They have a large building with a little bit of everything. It’s pretty well laid out and organized. They participate in daily colored tag specials with a Saturday sale where you can fill a bag of markdowns for $5. They also honor senior discounts on Tuesdays.

 

Cons: Prices are high and staff is very unfriendly. Don’t even bother if you’re trying to find clothes, the racks are always empty. Some aisles are kind of tight and hard to navigate, despite the fact that many of their customers use mobile aids and carts.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Books are well stocked. They also still carry VHS tapes, which are getting harder to find.

Find ’em online:

Middleton

Goodwill

5/5

Where at?: 6280 Century Avenue Middleton, Wisconsin

 

Pros: This is the newest location in the South Central Wisconsin system and arguably my favorite. The location is bright and well kept. Prices are reasonable, especially for furniture. Staff is always super friendly! Participates in colored tag specials on Sunday and Monday.

 

Cons: That I don’t live closer. 🙁

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Deals on clothing and furniture.

Find ’em online:

Pewaukee

Goodwill

5/5

Where at?: 2015 Meadow Lane Pewaukee, WI

 

Pros: Despite this Goodwill being part of a chain, I found this location to be really fun with quirky displays and unique merchandising that I haven’t seen at other locations. Everything was well organized and the prices were pretty average. Also participates in daily colored tag specials.

 

Cons: None.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: A little bit of everything!

Find ’em online:

Platteville

Goodwill

5/5

Where at?: 2001 Progressive Pkwy, Platteville, WI 53818

 

Pros: This mini Goodwill location has just enough to scratch your thrifting itch if you’re in the area. It has all the same perks of the other Goodwill SCWI locations like colored tag discounts on Sunday & Monday, and an awesome staff!

 

Cons: None.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Anything that might have previously been in a dorm room. This is smack dab in a college town!

Find ’em online:

Platteville Thrift Shop

4/5

Where at?: 950 Lancaster St #1128, Platteville, WI 53818

 

Pros: This small store is brimming with deals. You never know what you’ll find but I’m sure the price will be low to your liking!

 

Cons: Store does feel cramped and disconnected. Difficult to access if you have mobility issues! 

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Anything that might have previously been in a dorm room. This is smack dab in a college town!

Find ’em online:

Change of Seasons

5/5

Where at?: 85 E Main St. Platteville, WI 53818

 

Pros: What a huge clothing store! Everything is on consignment so expect to pay up if you find something you like. If they don’t have what you’re looking for then you probably don’t need it.

 

Cons: None.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Clothes for all ages and genders.

Find ’em online:

Plymouth

Neat Repeats

5/5

Where at?: 2627 Eastern Ave, Plymouth, WI 53073

 

Pros: I love everything about this store and have been a loyal shopper since they first opened! They hold seasonal $5 clothing sales. Run weekly specials. Clothes are individually priced. Has clearance/markdown racks of clothing. Incredibly inexpensive! Is in a huge space and just keeps expanding. They also have some of the friendliest staff who always step up to help out.

 

Cons: That I don’t get to go everyday.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Their furniture selection is tops! Though I, myself, really dig the clothing section.

Find ’em online:

Shoppes on Mill Street Antique Mall

4/5

Where at?: 412 East Mill Street Plymouth, WI 53073

 

Pros: Unique selection of items because it’s an antique mall with multiple dealers. Recently remodeled (August 2018) after fire damage so the building is clean.

 

Cons: Prices vary greatly as they’re set by individual sellers. Stock doesn’t really change very often either.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Something to complete their collection or decorate a home with vintage knick-knacks.

Find ’em online:

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store

4/5

Where at?: 2225 Eastern Ave, Plymouth, WI 53073

 

Pros: This store is huge, well stocked, and very well laid out. Occasionally has weekly sales, especially on VHS tapes. Profits support the local high school, which I appreciate. Participates in a loyalty program.

 

Cons: Some items are pretty pricey for a thrift store. Does not run colored tag specials. Normally has a young staff that’s rather unenthused about working there. Clothing is not organized by color which is a headache to look through. You really have to be committed to find the good stuff!

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Movies, books, and clothing!

Find ’em online:

Sheboygan

Goodwill

4/5

Where at?: 3657 Greenwing Dr, Sheboygan, WI 53081

 

Pros: Participates in daily color tag specials. Has a loyalty program. Prices are mid-range. Has a large selection of items to choose from.

 

Cons: This location usually has a high volume of shoppers which can make it difficult to browse.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Everything! They have it all.

Find ’em online:

Fringe Benefits

4.5/5

Where at?: 725 S Taylor Dr, Sheboygan, WI 53081

 

Pros: They pack a lot of stuff into this small space. The prices are fair but some things can get a little high. Often runs weekly specials. Was willing to haggle with me which is always appreciated!

 

Cons: Has set prices for each clothing category which, as I mentioned, I personally don’t like. Location is a little tricky to get to but worth it!

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Clothes, household, and pet items!

Find ’em online:

Salvation Army

Closed as of 3/2021

4.5/5

Where at?:1029 Michigan Ave, Sheboygan, WI 53081

 

Pros: This is a large store with great prices, deals, and a friendly staff.

 

Cons: Store is a bit sparse and has a habit of being dingy.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: A hidden gem!

Find ’em online:

Bethesda Thrift Shop

5/5

Where at?: 2827 S Business Dr, Sheboygan, WI 53081

 

Pros: This is a large store that is well laid out and has a great selection of stock. Prices were reasonable.

 

Cons: None.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Everything, but clothes were pretty dominate.

Find ’em online:

Sheboygan Falls

Richardson Hospice Resale Store

5/5

Where at?: 1130 Plankview Green Blvd, Sheboygan Falls, WI 53085

 

Pros: Very inexpensive! Profits go directly to a good cause. Has 3 large rooms, all clean and organized. Clothing is priced individually. Frequently runs sales. Has a well curated selection of affordable antiques. Very friendly staff!

 

Cons: Some people might be turned off when they walk in and see displays of antiques and glassware but keep digging because there really are treasures for everyone!

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: A clean and organized secondhand shopping experience without breaking the bank.

Find ’em online:

Shullsburg

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store

3.5/5

Where at?: 348 N Judgement St, Shullsburg, WI 53586

 

Pros: Run by volunteers so prices are very affordable (sometimes even free!). There are two floors of bargains plus lots of extra little spaces due to it being an old school house.

 

Cons: Location is not wheelchair accessible and is quite grimy. If you’re especially sensitive to dust, wear a face mask! The ventilation system is a bit old so it does get toasty in the summer. Prices are a bit difficult to find because they’re printed on signs that are sporadically placed. Oh and if you’re scared of ghost, beware – it’s right next door to a cemetery!

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Clothes, bedding, and shoes are in great abundance.

Find ’em online:

No online presence.

Stoughton

Goodwill

5/5

Where at?: 1780 US-51, Stoughton, WI 53589

 

Pros: I like the layout of this location because it’s similar to others so you can know what to expect. Prices are reasonable, especially for furniture. Staff is always super friendly! Participates in colored tag specials on Sunday and Monday.

 

Cons: None.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: A little bit of everything!

Find ’em online:

West Bend

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store

5/5

Where at?: 420 N River Rd, West Bend, WI 53090

 

Pros: This is such a spacious and well organized location. The entire building smells like popcorn because they pop it fresh on site! Participates in daily colored tag deals and other special promotions. It’s really high up there as one of my favorite thrift stores!

 

Cons: None.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Everything at a reasonable price! Plus popcorn. 😉

Find ’em online:

Goodwill

4/5

Where at?: 1717 Clarence Ct. West Bend, Wisconsin

 

Pros: This is a slightly larger Goodwill than I’m used to and is full to the brim with everything. Prices are average. Staff is pretty friendly!

 

Cons: This store has been busy every time I go and the cashwrap line blocks an entire aisle. Just that small layout seems poor to me!

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: A little bit of everything.

Find ’em online:

Play’n For Pennies Family Resale Store

1/5

Where at?: 1240 N Main St, West Bend, WI 53090

 

Pros: I want to say “nothing” but, in fairness, they had a lot of stuff crammed into a tiny space.

 

Cons: Not wheelchair accessible. Prices were quite high. Store felt very cluttered. Staff was unfriendly despite multiple people sitting behind a desk, none of them bothered to engage with us.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: An uninterrupted exploration of secondhand stuff.

Find ’em online:

Verona

St. Vincent de Paul

5/5

Where at?: 513 W Verona Ave, Verona, WI 53593

 

Pros: The Vinny’s of Madison have a way of giving each of their locations a unique thumbprint. When I think of Vinny’s Verona, I think of it as a boutique experience. It’s very clean, well organized, decently priced including a section for higher-end garments.

 

Cons: None.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Huge clothing and book selection!

Find ’em online:

Goodwill

5/5

Where at?: 114 S Main St, Verona, WI 53593

 

Pros: This Goodwill is part of the SCWI chain but has a charming small town feel. The store has lots of unique donations and a layout that’s easy to navigate. Participates in all the usual discounts including half off color tags on Sunday & Monday!

 

Cons: There’s not a lot of furniture because of the smaller space.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Clothes & media!

Find ’em online:

Freeport

Goodwill

5/5

Where at?: 2030 W Galena Ave, Freeport, IL

 

Pros: The last Tuesday of every month is their big $1.50 clothing sale where all clothes are only $1.50. I cannot stress enough how awesome that makes this store!

 

Cons: This store is often forgot or overlooked by locals but it’s worth searching for! The staff can become very focused when stocking the floor and get in the way of shoppers, but that tends to happen at thrift stores so you put up with it!

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Clothes for $1.50 and they have a pretty decent selection of books!

Find ’em online:

Twice as Nice Consignments

4/5

Where at?: 8 W Stephenson St, Freeport, IL

 

Pros: This is actually a trio of stores separated by needs (household, furniture, clothes, etc) that are just a couple doors away from one another. They’re an amazing way to spend an afternoon and have almost anything you can think of! Very well organized and fully stocked. The main store even honors a selection of color tags everyday!

 

2019 edit: Murals have been added to walls nearby so if you’re looking for an #instagramworthy location, you got it!

 

Cons: Stores tend to be tight and cluttered. Not easily accessible for handicap or wheelchair patrons. Buildings also pose a problem if you have breathing issues as they’re old and musty.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Everything under the sun.

Find ’em online:

Luecke’s Antique Mall

4/5

Where at?: 10 E Main St, Freeport, IL 61032

 

Pros: 3 stories of antiques nestled inside an old school dormitory from the 1800’s. Need I say more? It’s a bit of a dig but you never know what kind of treasure you might come across!

 

Cons: Cluttered and stock doesn’t seem to get updated by booth vendors. Not wheelchair accessible!

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: A rare, antique, or collectible item. Lots of “man” stuff!

Find ’em online:

Lena

My Friend's Closet

5/5

Where at?: 511 W Lena St, Lena, IL

 

Pros: If you’re looking for a true, small-town thrift experience, this is your place! It’s run by an eclectic staff of volunteers, honors color tags every single day (with one being worth 25 cents!), and is constantly rotating items on the floor. It was also recently expanded so there’s even more stuff to enjoy!

 

Cons: There is somewhat limited parking but it’s a small store so that’s to be expected. While the inside is expanded, the aisles are still very tight to navigate!

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: A little bit of everything!

Find ’em online:

Loves Park

Salvation Army

3.5/5

Where at?: 6545 N Alpine Rd, Loves Park, IL

 

Pros: This is the biggest Salvos/thrift store I’ve ever been into. (And I’ve been thrifting in Texas, ya’ll!) If you walk out empty handed, it’d be your own fault. Prices are very fair and they do participate in a daily color tag special. The staff was friendly and helpful when I had questions.

 

Cons: There are some hygiene issues going on and the fitting rooms are in an odd place (not to mention rickety). Nonetheless, it’s not enough to deter me from shopping there.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: A large selection of clothes. You won’t be disappointed!

Find ’em online:

No online presence!

Dubuque

Dubuque Mission Thrift Store

3/5

Where at?: 398 Main St, Dubuque, IA 52001

 

Pros: I appreciate how charitable this store is but the location itself leaves much to be desired. I did pick up a few things on my last visit as they were running a couple $1 specials when I was there.

 

Cons: While it’s arranged by item type, it crams too much into it’s tiny building. Walking through feels very treacherous and I wouldn’t say it’s handicap accessible, which is unfortunate as that’s who it’s there to help.

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: Huge music section!

Find ’em online:

Curious Goods Thrift Store

3.5/5

Where at?: 4630, 527 W 8th St, Dubuque, IA 52001

 

Pros: Curious Goods thrift store features an organized selection of both old, collectible, and closeout products. The older man running it was very friendly (he was playing with a Bop-it when we walked in. lol) and it was overall an interesting place.

 

Cons: The location is small and off the beaten path which is too bad because it deserves more foot traffic!

 

Ideal for thrifters looking for..: A newer item (like a DVD) at a steep discount.

Find ’em online: