People often use the terms “thrift store” and “consignment shop” interchangeably, but these are two distinct kinds of secondhand stores. While thrift stores tend to rely on donated goods for sales, consignment shops sell goods on behalf of other people. With the resell market predicted to double in 2027, consignment shops are popping up everywhere all over the country, including Maryland.
How do you know which consignment shops are worth your time? We examined the consignment shop market in Maryland and found eight shops that got great reviews from both their customers and those who sell items on consignment with them. If you are planning a thrifty road trip through Maryland, here are some consignment shops to consider.
Consignment Store Shopping In Maryland
Before we explore the top consignment shops in Maryland, here are some points to keep in mind while shopping at consignment stores.
- While consignment shopping and thrifting are similar, they are a little different. Consignment shops tend to carry more high-end items, which means their wares are typically more expensive.
- Consignment shoppers love these stores because they can find couture and antiques at cheaper prices. If you have expensive tastes but want to save money, these shops offer the best of both worlds. Consignment shopping reduces landfill waste, too.
- Many consignment shops specialize in expensive clothing for women. However, there are other common niches, including children's clothing and antiques. One of the shops on our list, Bespoke Not Broke, carries mostly men's clothing. This makes it an outlier in the consignment market. However, that might be a key to its successful online and in-store business.
- The consignment shop will probably mark down an item if it stays on their shelves for an extended period. Many consignment shops have markdown tiers for items that are in their shops for thirty and sixty days. So, if you wait and the item does not sell immediately, you may get a sweet deal.
- This article focuses on shopping at consignment shops. If you are interested in selling items to any of the stores listed, be sure to check their consignment policies on their website or give them a call. Many consignment shops have strict guidelines regarding the items they accept and when they accept them. Checking in advance can save you an unnecessary trip.
Bespoke Not Broke
7042 Carroll Avenue, Takoma Park, Maryland 20912
Bespoke Not Broke is a consignment shop that was established in 2013 and has since become a favorite among locals. This shop also has a successful web-based store. It has been voted the best consignment shop in D.C. for several years, with buyers and sellers alike giving rave reviews about the high quality of designer clothes available at great prices. The shop's media kit claims to have 45,000 Facebook fans, and it also ships clothes to twenty-one different countries. In addition to its Takoma Park location, Bespoke Not Broke also has a shop at the Fenton Street Market in Silver Springs.
The Duckpin Consignment Adventure
2350 York Road, Lutherville-Timonium, Maryland 21093
If a consignment shop includes the word “adventure” in its name, it must be impressive. The Duckpin Consignment Adventure has three floors of neatly organized merchandise, making the exploration of this shop an adventure. Moreover, reviewers love the selection and organization of this large consignment shop.
Furthermore, this shop has a mix of items, including clothing, jewelry, toys, and furniture. They do not limit their clothing selection to designer goods only but accept a variety of clothing. However, they will not accept cheaper store brands from Walmart or Target. Finally, selling consignment goods is a fairly straightforward process outlined on their website.
The Find Consign
11791 Fingerboard Road, Suite 16, Green Valley Plaza, Monrovia, Maryland 21770
Located in Monrovia, Maryland, The Find Consignment is a highly curated consignment shop that highlights some of the best thrift finds in the state. Their inventory includes an impressive selection of antique furniture, jewelry, and designer clothes.
Moreover, the shop prides itself on offering excellent customer service and low prices, which online reviewers have confirmed. In addition to consignment, The Find also offers jewelry repair and battery replacements for watches. They can complete most of these services immediately while you wait.
In business for twenty-eight years, The Find no longer accepts walk-in consignment work. Consignment sellers pay five dollars to open a year-long consignment account. The owners have very specific guidelines for sellers, so anyone considering The Find for selling purposes should review the FAQ on their website.
Redeux Consignment
5002 Lawndale Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21210
Redeux Consignment, located in the Roland Park neighborhood of Baltimore, features designer clothes at more affordable prices than retail. In addition to brands like Burberry, Chanel, and Alexander McQueen, this shop also sells eclectic jewelry and accessories.
However, the shop's owners emphasize that although they embrace thriftiness and sustainability, they are not a thrift shop. They have very high standards for consignment sellers, so it is best to peruse their website before contacting them with your gently used couture.
Return to Oz Consignments
2011 West Street, Annapolis, Maryland 21401
Return to Oz Consignments is an Annapolis consignment shop that sells clothing, shoes and accessories, household items, furniture, and toys. All of the clothes sold in the shop are at most five years old. If you are shopping for school clothes, this consignment shop is a great choice because they have a large selection of children's clothing.
If you are considering selling with them, they begin buying the next season's clothes in advance. For instance, in January and February, the shop buys spring clothing items. Like most consignment stores, they have specific guidelines regarding what they accept, so please check out the FAQ section of their website for further information.
This & That Consignment & Gifts
2714 Pulaski Highway, Edgewood, Maryland 21040
If treasure hunting is more your style, This & That Consignment & Gifts offers various goods, from paperback books to furniture, at affordable prices, rather than high-end fashion and goods. While the shop appears small from the outside, they have an impressive amount of furniture, clothing, and electronics. In addition to their low prices, the owners offer frequent sales.
This shop also gets high marks for the friendliness of the staff and the store's cleanliness and organization. Some shoppers report going every few days because the store's merchandise frequently changes. Finally, they also get high marks from sellers who have worked with the shop.
Uptown Cheapskate
8450 Baltimore National Pike, Suite 160, Ellicott City, Maryland 21043
Uptown Cheapskate is a thrift and consignment store chain established in Utah in 2009. It has a branch store in Ellicott City, Maryland. This consignment shop specializes in gently used clothing, including purses, shoes, and accessories. Furthermore, the staff evaluates the quality of the items and offers cash on the spot. They also provide a store credit system called “Uptown Cash,” which can be used to buy items in-store. If you opt for the store trade-in, you will receive about twenty-five percent more in trade value than if you choose cash.
Vogue Revisited
4002 Roland Avenue, Baltimore, Maryland 21211
Another high-end Baltimore consignment shop is Vogue Revisited. For twenty-five years, this store has specialized in selling gently used or brand-new designer clothing. They only buy styles that have been popular in the past two years. Their exceptional curation earned them the title of Baltimore's Best Consignment Shop, according to Baltimore Magazine.
If you're considering selling your items on consignment with this store, please be aware that they have a minimum requirement of ten items. You would need to schedule an appointment with the owners in order for them to evaluate your items and determine if they are suitable for their store's current inventory.
Final Thoughts
Thrift stores are great for finding cheaper goods, but if you are looking for luxury items at amazing prices, consignment shops are the way to go. Each consignment shop usually has a niche or market they cater to, so it is all a matter of personal preference when it comes to choosing your favorite. In Maryland, there are plenty of consignment shops that offer something for every thrifty shopper, whether you are in the market for couture, children's school clothes, or beautiful antiques.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Daisy Daisy/Shutterstock.com.