FAQ

ThriftStar is the easiest way to discover top-rated thrift stores in your area. Unlike crowdsourced review sites, every store in our directory has been personally visited and evaluated by our review team using a detailed 10-point scoring system.

Browse our directory by city or neighborhood to find stores rated across three key categories: The Finds (quality, selection, pricing), The Experience (atmosphere, staff, organization), and The Neighborhood (walkability, nearby food and coffee). We only list stores scoring 7.0 or above — if it’s not worth the trip, it’s not in the directory.

We currently cover Orange County, Los Angeles, and San Diego, with more markets launching soon.

ThriftStar is actively reviewing thrift stores in Southern California, including neighborhoods throughout Orange County (Balboa Island, San Juan Capistrano, Newport Beach, and more), Los Angeles, and San Diego.

Each review includes a “Make a Day of It” section with recommended coffee shops, restaurants, and activities near the store, so you can turn your thrift run into a complete afternoon adventure. We’re expanding to new markets based on community interest — follow @thriftstar.us on Instagram to stay updated.

Timing can make a big difference in your thrift store finds:

‍Tuesdays and Wednesdays — Most stores process new donations early in the week, so mid-week visits often have the freshest inventory
‍Mornings at opening — Arrive when doors open for first pick before other shoppers
‍Weekday afternoons — Fewer crowds mean more room to browse carefully
‍Discount days — Many thrift stores run color-tag sales, senior days, or weekly markdowns

‍ThriftStar Tip: Avoid weekend afternoons at popular stores if you prefer a calmer browsing experience. Saturday mornings right at open are the sweet spot if weekdays don’t work for you.

Most thrift stores restock daily as they process incoming donations, but the volume and timing varies by store type:
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‍Large charity-based stores (Goodwill, Salvation Army) — Continuous intake; new items hit the floor throughout the day
‍Smaller independent shops — Often restock in batches, typically early to mid-week
‍Consignment stores — New items added as consignors bring pieces in, with seasonal surges in spring and fall
‍Curated vintage shops — Stock turns over more slowly as owners source and price intentionallyThis is exactly why visiting the same store on different days can yield completely different treasures.

ThriftStar is a curated thrift store review platform written by trusted local experts — not crowdsourced reviews. Think of us as The Infatuation for thrift stores.

Every store in our directory has been personally visited by our review team, who spend real time browsing the racks, talking to staff, and exploring the surrounding neighborhood. Our reviews go beyond star ratings to tell you exactly what kind of finds to expect, who the store is best for, and how to turn your visit into a full afternoon adventure with great coffee, food, and nearby shops.

Where Yelp gives you hundreds of mixed-quality opinions, ThriftStar gives you one thoroughly researched, experience-driven guide you can trust.

ThriftStar exists to combat fast fashion, support local businesses, and reduce landfill waste by making thrift shopping accessible, enjoyable, and part of everyday life.

We believe every discarded item deserves a chance at a second life through upcycling and reuse. By writing honest, detailed reviews that position thrift shopping as an experience — not just bargain hunting — we help people discover the joy of sustainable fashion while supporting the stores and causes behind them.

Many of the thrift stores we review support incredible causes: domestic violence survivors, housing programs, veteran services, and more. When you shop thrift, you’re not just saving money — you’re making an impact in your community.

Every ThriftStar review is a comprehensive experience guide that includes:

‍The Find That Hooked Us — The standout discovery that captures the store’s personality
‍Best Hunt For — What categories the store excels in (vintage denim, designer bags, mid-century furniture, etc.)
‍Your Kind of Spot If… — A profile of who will love this store most
‍The Full Experience — A 200-300 word narrative capturing the atmosphere, staff, and vibe
‍Make a Day of It — Recommended nearby coffee shops, restaurants, and activities
‍10-Point Rating — Transparent scoring across The Finds, The Experience, and The Neighborhood

Follow us on Instagram for new reviews, thrift tips, and hidden gem discoveries:
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‍@thriftstar.us — Main editorial hub with reviews, tips, and thrift culture
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Our local accounts serve as community bulletin boards for each market, sharing store sales, pop-up events, and seasonal finds specific to your area.

Check organization first — Well-sorted racks by size, color, or category make treasure hunting much easier
‍Inspect items carefully — Look for stains, tears, missing buttons, broken zippers. Hold items up to the light
‍Read brand labels — Check care labels for fabric content. Natural fibers like wool, silk, and cotton hold up best
‍Evaluate pricing — Compare the thrift price to the item’s condition and retail value
‍Explore every section — Don’t skip housewares, books, or accessories. Some of the best finds hide where you least expect them
‍ThriftStar Tip: Wear easy-on, easy-off layers so you can try things on quickly. Bring a small measuring tape for furniture.

Shop in affluent neighborhoods — Thrift stores near wealthier areas receive higher-quality donations
‍Learn to recognize quality construction — French seams, lined garments, real buttons, quality zippers
‍Check labels and tags — Learn luxury brand labels, country of origin markers, and vintage labeling formats
‍Visit regularly — Inventory turns over constantly. The Chanel flats at 60% off won’t wait
‍Look at consignment and luxury resale stores — Places like The RealReal authenticate designer pieces

Upcycling is the practice of transforming old, unwanted, or discarded items into something new, functional, and often more valuable. It’s a creative step beyond simply reusing — you’re giving items an entirely new purpose.

Thrift stores are the ultimate upcycling supply chain. Common ideas include transforming oversized shirts into crop tops, turning vintage scarves into tote bags, refinishing thrifted furniture, repurposing ceramics as planters, and creating patchwork quilts from vintage fabric scraps.

ThriftStar was founded on the belief that every discarded item deserves a chance at a second life. Upcycling is how creativity meets sustainability.

Wash before wearing — Always launder or dry clean secondhand clothing before adding it to your wardrobe
‍Check care labels — Follow fabric-specific washing instructions to avoid shrinkage or damage
‍Treat stains promptly — White vinegar, baking soda, and oxygen-based cleaners work wonders on set-in stains
‍Steam don’t iron — Steaming is gentler on vintage fabrics and removes storage creases
‍Air dry when possible — Reduces wear, shrinkage, and energy usage

The fast fashion industry is one of the largest polluters globally, responsible for roughly 10% of global carbon emissions. By choosing secondhand shopping, you make a direct environmental impact:

‍Keeps clothing out of landfills — The average American throws away about 81 pounds of clothing per year
‍Reduces carbon emissions — Buying secondhand means no new manufacturing, transportation, or packaging
‍Saves water — A single cotton t-shirt requires about 2,700 liters of water to produce
‍Supports circular fashion — Extends the useful life of garments and breaks the buy-wear-toss cycle
‍Reduces chemical pollution — Textile dyeing is the second-largest polluter of water globallyThriftStar exists to make sustainable shopping accessible, enjoyable, and part of your lifestyle — not a sacrifice.

Fast fashion refers to the rapid production of cheap, trend-driven clothing designed to be worn briefly and discarded. Brands in this space release new collections weekly, encouraging consumers to constantly buy new items at low prices.

The harm is significant: fast fashion exploits garment workers through low wages and poor conditions, uses massive amounts of water and chemicals, generates enormous textile waste (85% of all textiles end up in landfills), and contributes to microplastic pollution through synthetic fabrics that shed fibers with every wash.

Thrift shopping is one of the most impactful personal choices you can make to opt out of this cycle.

Domestic violence survivors — Organizations like Laura’s House operate thrift stores funding shelters and counseling
Job training programs — Goodwill and similar organizations provide employment training and career services
Housing assistance — Many thrift stores fund programs helping families transition out of homelessness
Veteran services — Organizations like DAV operate stores supporting disabled veterans
Local arts and education — Some independent shops channel proceeds to schools and community events

When you shop at a mission-driven thrift store, your purchase has a double impact: helping the environment and directly supporting people in your community.

Thrift stores — Sell donated items at low prices, often supporting a charitable cause. High-volume, unfiltered inventory with incredible deal potential
‍Consignment shops — Sell items on behalf of the original owner, splitting proceeds. Higher prices but more curated, excellent condition
‍Vintage stores — Specialize in items from specific eras (typically 20+ years old). Priced by rarity and demand. Unique, hard-to-find pieces
‍Luxury resale — Authenticated, pre-owned designer goods. Higher price points but guaranteed authenticity and quality

ThriftStar reviews all four types, clearly noting the store model in each review so you know what to expect.

Online thrift platforms like ThredUp, Poshmark, Depop, and The RealReal offer convenience and access to a massive selection. They’re worth exploring, especially for specific brands, sizes, or items you’ve been hunting for.

That said, in-person thrift shopping offers experiences online can’t replicate: the thrill of discovery, the ability to feel fabrics and check quality, no shipping costs, supporting local stores and their missions, and the joy of turning a thrift run into an afternoon adventure.

Our recommendation? Use both. Browse online when hunting something specific, and visit local stores for the full treasure-hunting experience.

Estate sales happen when the contents of a home are sold, typically after someone passes away, downsizes, or relocates. Unlike thrift stores, estate sales offer the chance to browse an entire household’s worth of belongings in one place.

Estate sales tend to feature higher-quality furniture, vintage kitchenware, art, jewelry, and collectibles. Prices are often negotiable, especially on the last day. Check sites like EstateSales.net for upcoming sales in your area.

ThriftStar partners with thrift stores at no cost. Here’s how it works:
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‍We visit your store — Our review team personally shops your store and evaluates the experience
‍We write a comprehensive guide — A detailed, experiential review highlighting what makes your store special
‍We publish and promote — Your review goes live on ThriftStar and our social media channels
‍You share the love — In exchange, we ask that you post and share the review on your social mediaContact us at hello@thriftstar.us or reach out on Instagram @thriftstar.us to get started.

No. ThriftStar reviews are completely free for store owners. We believe in building authentic partnerships, not pay-for-play listings. Our reviews are independent and honest — we don’t accept payment in exchange for positive ratings.Our partnership model is simple: we create high-quality content about your store at no cost, and you share it with your community.

Partner stores receive a ThriftStar in-store display kit that includes:

QR code postcards — Branded cards linking to your store’s review that customers can take home
“ThriftStar Fave” window decal — A static-cling decal (easily removable, no residue) signaling your store is a curated destination
Social media assets — Ready-to-post graphics and captions for sharing your review on Instagram, Facebook, and more

Everything is designed to drive foot traffic and give customers confidence your store has been personally vetted by ThriftStar.