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Breathe new life into your closet and home décor with totally unique finds at Durham's best second-hand shops.
Posted By Kristin Bedinger on Jul 31, 2023
With a bit of time and patience, you can find your next one-of-a-kind wardrobe staple or statement furniture piece from one of Durham’s high-quality vintage, antique, consignment or thrift shops. As an added bonus, you'll be refreshing your collection without the guilt by shopping second-hand – giving your treasures a new life and avoiding adding to the landfill. Not sure where to start your eco-friendly shopping spree? Here’s a guide to Durham’s vintage, thrift and repurposed shopping scene. Use it like a map and find your hidden treasure!
Clothing & Accessories
Dolly’s Vintage | 213 W. Main St.
Play dress up at the vibrant Dolly’s Vintage boutique, which specializes in vintage wear like dresses and suit jackets, as well as accessories such as purses, shoes, hats and sunglasses. The clothing is complemented by quirky, new items like colorful wigs, tutus, mod socks, and Bull City-branded mugs, t-shirts, bumper stickers and flasks.
Durham Vintage Collective | 109 W. Parrish St.
The curators behind Durham Vintage Collective have been in the scene in Durham for quite some time, popping up at markets and the like. Those in the know were thrilled to hear that they were opening their own store right in the heart of downtown. Find everything from nostalgic memorabilia to thoughtful decor to thoughtfully selected clothing and accessories.
Gibson Girl Vintage | 1001 W. Chapel Hill St.
What if you want to find a new-to-you, unique treasure without all the digging? Step into Gibson Girl's shop and feast your eyes on a curated collection of clothing, accessories, furniture and housewares. Designer furniture? Check. Vintage Coach bags? You bet. '70s era flared jeans? You're covered.
Mode Consignment Boutique | 1000 W. Main St. #1-B
Find high-end designer threads at a fraction of the price at Mode. The consignment shop has multiple locations across North Carolina and Florida, and the Durham location is right in the middle of the Brightleaf district. Start building a wardrobe of investment pieces at Mode with brands like Salvatore Ferragamo, Kate Spade, and Gucci, or choose fun costume jewelry for your next party.
Rumors | 2501 University Dr. #3
Rescue those gently loved, clean clothes and shoes from languishing in the back of your closet and bring them along for your trip to Rumors. They buy clothes and shoes seasonally, so you can offset your spending on stylish secondhand duds.
Antique & Repurposed Furniture
Always Home Furniture Consignment | 4221 Garret Rd.
If you're looking for quality at a great price, add Always Home to your list. Only furniture and decor in "like new" condition are accepted for resale, and you'll find antiques, contemporary brands, mid-century modern pieces and more.
Classic Treasures | 2659 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.
Affordability is the name of the game at Classic Treasures, where both gently used items and new pieces fill the showroom. In addition to mid-century modern style sofas and custom-made dining sets, shoppers can find statement pieces built to last a lifetime, like handcrafted dining and end tables made from reclaimed barn wood. There are also smaller home décor items like lamps, candles, and vases.
| 3738 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.
Once & Again consignment gallery supports local artisans, collectors, estate and yard sale “pickers,” and shoppers looking for a treasure. In addition to furniture, find items like grandfather clocks, glass and crystal table wares and China tea sets. Once & Again also offers a flat-rate delivery service for a 50-mile radius.
Patina | 2695 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.
Vintage and used furniture comes alive at Patina, where shoppers can find high-quality vintage items that are immediately ready to find a spot in your home or pieces that the owner herself has painted or refurbished. Oriental rugs, Italian sconces, hand-painted sideboards, and vintage wrought-iron gate doors for your garden are only a small sample of what you may find.
Vintage Home South | 764 Ninth St.
The light and airy Vintage Home South shop on Ninth Street is home to a collection of products in the theme of French country farmhouse — items like wood and wicker benches, distressed bookcases, and plush, oversized couches and lounge chairs. If you’re not in the market for furniture, you can still get the farmhouse look with stylish throw pillows, sunburst mirrors, and wooden milk crates.
Thrift Shops
Pennies for Change Thrift Boutique | 2715 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.
Pennies for Change is a program of Durham Crisis Response Center and specializes in women's clothing, shoes, accessories, furniture and home decor, with proceeds supporting survivors. This small, curated shop carries high-quality items at even better prices, increasing the chances you'll walk away with a stunner of a deal.
TROSA Thrift Store | 3500 N. Roxboro St.
This massive thrift store in north Durham carries clothing, decor and furniture. It's worth looking through everything in the store, but it's a well-known treasure trove for furniture and artwork. There's even a frame shop on the premises, so you can have custom framing done on the spot. You can also bring prints from home to be framed by skillful framers.
Durham Rescue Mission Thrift Stores | 3220 Hwy 55; 3900 Durham-Chapel Hill Blvd.; 2425 S. Alston Ave. (Outlet Store)
Shop second-hand while supporting Durham's oldest and largest long-term homeless shelter. Browse rows upon rows of clothing, accessories and housewares.
Scrap Thrift | 2020 Chapel Hill Rd. #31
The Scrap Exchange is a treasured Durham institution touted as the largest creative reuse center in the country where you can find odds an ends, craft materials, building supplies and so much more. Its sister store across the street within the Lakewood Shopping Center is an equally impressive shop filled with clothing, housewares and accessories.
New Nearly New Thrift Shop | 3167 Hillsborough Rd.
New Nearly New Thrift Shop is a passion project started by a group of industrious Durham residents who pledged to donate one item for every item sold. Browse their selection of clothing, furniture, home goods, decor and more, and come back often as they restock daily.
See all vintage and consignment shops in Durham
