Shopping in Greater Fort Lauderdale extends from the suburbs straight to the beach. And while bargain shoppers tend to gravitate toward outlet malls like Sawgrass Mills, those after second-hand deals have their pick of top-notch thrift shops dedicated to everything from gently used designer gems and vintage wear to contemporary clothing and furniture. Not only is the thrill of the hunt half the fun, but many of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s thrift shops also give back to the community—meaning your retail therapy will support a good cause. Here’s our neighborhood breakdown of some of the best spots for secondhand shopping.
Fort Lauderdale
A fixture on East Sunrise Boulevard, it’s hard to miss the teal-and-pink, Art Deco-style building housing Out of the Closet, a nonprofit thrift store chain owned and operated by AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). Inside the expansive warehouse space in the heart of Fort Lauderdale (a sister location is in nearby Wilton Manors), you’ll find racks of clothing, shoes, and jewelry, plus shelves piled with accessories like handbags and suitcases, as well as home décor and larger furniture items. In addition to offering free HIV testing and an AHF Pharmacy, 96 cents of every dollar spent at the shop supports patient and homeless care.
Continuously topping the list of best thrift shops both in Florida and the U.S., Oddball's Nifty Thrift features eight rooms sprawling across 8,000 square feet, with more than 50 vendors. Grab a glass of wine or craft beer and peruse the mix of midcentury-modern furniture, antiques, vintage knick-knacks, and garden statues. If you’ve been looking for a set of tiki cocktail glasses or glow-in-the-dark serving platters, this is your place.
For shoppers looking for designer names, head to Couture Upscale Consign, stocked with more than 500 pre-owned handbags from brands like Chanel and Louis Vuitton, each individually vetted so authenticity is guaranteed. Another haven for haute finds is Worth Repeating Fine Consignments, located in a gorgeous, green-shuttered, stately white building designed by owner Margie Helmholdt herself. The curated selection of women’s designer clothing and accessories includes everything from Prada patent leather pumps to iconic bags from Balenciaga and Burberry.
If you’re on the hunt for vintage vinyl don’t miss Radio-Active Records in artsy Flagler Village, offering not only a great selection of quality vinyl records but also CDs, cassettes, and even some 8-tracks. You’ll also find turntables, t-shirts, books, and other music-related paraphernalia.
While it’s technically not a store, the Swap Shop — considered to be one of the world’s largest daily flea markets — is a treasure trove for thrifters looking to find a ton of bargains all in one place. Located on 88 acres, plan to spend a good chunk of time making your way through the various indoor and outdoor stalls, where you’ll find all sorts of items from clothing to collectibles — and plenty of quirky memorabilia in between.
Wilton Manors
With locations in Wilton Manors and Pompano Beach, Poverello Thrift Store’s mission is to raise funds for its food pantry, which provides groceries for people suffering from chronic illness and food insecurity in the local community. The original location in Wilton Manors features donated, over-the-top evening wear and shoes, as well as housewares, furniture, and even sporting goods like golf clubs.
At volunteer-run (and pet-friendly!) Hidden Treasures Thrift Store, sift through racks of men’s, women’s, and children’s clothing, as well as accessories like belts, purses, jewelry, and shoes. The shop also features a selection of second-hand electronics like computers, radios, and televisions, as well as housewares and artwork — and all proceeds go directly to support nonprofit The Pet Project, which works together with the Rescue Bank to provide and distribute products for pets in need.
Oakland Park
At Snooty Fox Consignments in Oakland Park, you’ll find everything you need to outfit your entire home, from ornate wooden living room sets fit for a southern manor to elegant, columned four-poster beds. Peruse pre-owned pieces from established brands like AICO by Michael Amini, Henredon, and Bernhardt, or accessorize with something on the smaller side like gilded China vases and plates.
Over at Uptown Cheapskate, take advantage of upcycling with on-trend looks (as well as retro and vintage styles) that range from women’s size zero to 18, as well as men’s clothing and accessories sold at nearly 70% off the retail price. Think Doc Martens boots, Coach handbags, and Levi’s jeans.
Hollywood
While en route to the beach, turn off at American Thrift Store, located on State Road 7. One of six showrooms (a sister locale is in nearby Lauderhill), the stores collectively feature upwards of 75,000 items ranging from designer and vintage clothing to bedding, electronics, small appliances, toys, furniture, and mattresses — and they’re restocked daily. The best part? You can save on the already-discounted items thanks to daily, 50% off sales, and special events.
Davie & the Suburbs
If you’re out west, pop into Remix Thrift & Vintage in Davie, which sells an eclectic mix of indoor and patio furniture, records, apparel, and accessories like signed NFL footballs and cowboy boots and hats — a nod to the town’s western roots.
In the neighboring cities of Coral Springs, Miramar, and Plantation, you’ll find fashion favorite Plato’s Closet, known for carrying an impressive collective of gently used jeans, dresses, and other stylish apparel from brands like Abercrombie & Fitch, Adidas, Hollister, Free People, Urban Outfitters, and more. On the west side of Pompano Beach, don’t miss the European-style Festival Marketplace, a shopping paradise with over 250 stores offering brand name items at bargain prices along with the Going Bananas Farmers Market.