Regular visitors to Hilton Head already know about its beautiful beaches, excellent biking trails, and gorgeous golf courses. What you might not know is that this resort town in South Carolina has several great thrift stores and consignment shops. Only around 40,000 people live in Hilton Head year-round, but the local shops see a significant amount of donations. Much of the funds from these thrift stores support local charities like the Humane Society, cancer charities, and outreach organizations.
So, if you go thrift shopping in Hilton Head, you are not only saving money and helping the environment, but you are also contributing funds to many charity and non-profit organizations. Below are ten of the best thrift stores in Hilton Head, based on customer reviews, products, and prices. Whether you are looking for antique furniture or a good deal on school clothes, Hilton Head's shops have something for everyone.
The Bargain Box
546 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head, SC 29928
The Bargain Box is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 12 PM to 4 PM. Since 1965, this thrift store has been run entirely by volunteers and sells a variety of items including furniture, clothing, antiques, and sporting goods. The Bargain Box is not your average thrift store. They offer a truly unique selection of items. In the past, this thrift shop sold a baby grand piano and a Rolls Royce! Various charities in Hilton Head have received over twelve million dollars in donations from the profits of this charity shop.
The Church Mouse
78 Arrow Road, Hilton Head, SC 29928
Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 AM – 3 PM, The Church Mouse was voted the best consignment shop on Hilton Head by Hilton Head Monthly. Since 2004, this thrift shop has used the profits from the store to support fifty-five charities in the Lowcountry area, including Meals on Wheels, The Literacy Center, and Kairos Prison Ministry. This shop receives new inventory every day and has everything from clothing to art on display in its two-floor showroom.
Classic Consignments
122 Arrow Road, Hilton Head, SC 29928
Classic Consignments is a pricier consignment shop on Hilton Head but gets high marks from customers for its selection of furniture. If an item has been in the shop for more than thirty days, it is possible to negotiate a lower price with the owners. According to reviewers, you may have to dig more at this thrift shop compared to others in the area, but it is worth it for the great deals you will find. Furthermore, the store has a mix of newer items, antiques, and vintage pieces.
The Litter Box
46 Old Wild Horse Road, Hilton Head, SC 29926
All proceeds from The Litter Box go to the Hilton Head Humane Society. This store has a huge backroom filled with electronics, furniture, and more. The Litter Box also gets high ratings for its friendly staff and excellent prices, with many locals saying it is their favorite thrift store in the area. There is also a large selection of clothes and an entire room of pet supplies, including cat and dog beds and playpens. Their stock varies because they have new donations coming in every day.
Off Island Thrift
4375 Bluffton Parkway, Bluffton, SC 29910
All of the proceeds from Off Island Thrift go to local cancer charities. Upon entering the store, you will come across a board that displays the latest discounts. The discount sign is particularly helpful as the store is spread across three separate buildings. You will find a wide range of products in these three buildings, including everything from furniture to clothing to electronics. Additionally, it boasts a large collection of CDs and DVDs. Although the prices are slightly higher than those at Goodwill, there are many deals to be found, and all the money goes towards a good cause.
Osprey Village
2600 Main Street, Hilton Head, SC 29926
Osprey Village has a 10,000-square-foot store on Hilton Head that has clothing, electronics, sporting goods, and housewares. The proceeds from the store go to help adults with developmental disabilities. Since 2011, the store has been run by volunteers. Furthermore, the store also accepts donations large and small, although you should call in advance before donating. Finally, reviewers online love the friendly staff and great deals they have found in this large charity shop.
My Sister's Closet
1020 William Hilton Pkwy, Hilton Head, SC 29928
For fifty years, My Sister's Closet has sold clothing, jewelry, and fashion accessories. Men's clothing is housed in a section of the store called “My Brother's Closet.” Since it is a consignment shop, the prices are a little higher than your average thrift shop. However, the store is well-organized and frequently offers sales. Furthermore, the longer an item remains in the store, the more it will be discounted for quick sale. If you are interested in selling items on consignment, it is best to call ahead, as they usually have a long waiting list for consignment consideration.
St. Francis Thrift Shop
6 Southwood Park Drive #A, Hilton Head, SC 29926
Since 1999, St. Francis Thrift Shop sells gently used clothes, furniture, and housewares. All donations come from Hilton Head residents; furthermore, the shop is run by volunteers. In 2015, St. Francis added a furniture store. Frequent visitors praise the store's layout and organization. Moreover, they appreciate the friendliness of the staff and the excellent prices. However, it is important to note that this store's hours are Tuesday – Saturday from 9 AM to 1 PM. Their hours are a little different than other stores in the area.
Three Sisters Resale and More
32 Palmetto Bay Road, Suite 10A, Hilton Head, SC 29228
Three Sisters Resale and More is another consignment shop in the area that resells repurposed and reclaimed items and is actually run by three sisters named Kathie Tofaute, Carol Monahan, and Janet Adams. The shop sells clothing, housewares, and furniture. Be prepared to spend some time digging because the store has 3,000 square feet to explore on two levels. While reviews say the prices are on the high-end, the top floor of the shop sells fifty percent off items.
Tulips Thrift Store
57 Sheridan Park Circle, Suite A & B, Bluffton, SC 29910
Patricia Lopez and Lorena Hernández, the two friends who started Tulips Thrift Store, started their business to raise funds to build a house for battered women. The store sells clothing, household goods, and furniture. They also sell art, toys, jewelry, and luggage. Tulips has an impressive selection of used goods at excellent prices. While they are one of the newest thrift shops in the area, they are also one of the best.
Tips for Thrift Store Shopping in Hilton Head
When thrift shopping in Hilton Head, South Carolina, follow these tips to have the most fun and get the best deals.
- Professional thrifters know that the key to the best finds is going often and early. If you are going to be in Hilton Head for a week or more, try to check out the thrift stores on more than one occasion. These stores are always getting new items.
- If you love thrifting, you also know to give yourself plenty of time. You do not want to feel rushed. Set aside a day or an afternoon.
- If you have less time, do a quick tour of the store. Often, people will leave the best items near the dressing rooms after changing their minds. Also, if you are shopping for clothes, look for gently used name-brand items.
- The great thing about Hilton Head is that it has an impressive number of stores. Seasoned thrifters know that you want to go to a variety of stores to find the best deals. Since Hilton Head is small and these shops are close together, you can easily compare items.
- Finally, if you need more clarification about the value of an item, take a picture of it using Google Lens, which will allow you to do a reverse image search. The image search will pull up images similar to your uploaded picture. It usually pulls up an item match that tells you whether you are overpaying or underpaying for a thrift purchase.
If you follow our tips, you can have a great thrift store experience in Hilton Head.
Final Thoughts
If you're planning a vacation in Hilton Head, South Carolina, and enjoy thrift shopping, you will be delighted to know that this small coastal town has an incredible selection of thrift stores. Hilton Head's thrift shops offer great deals on clothing, electronics, and furniture. Moreover, high-end thrifters can find amazing deals on antiques and couture. You might even come across a deal on a Rolls Royce! With its stunning beaches and fantastic thrift shops, Hilton Head is an ideal destination for a family vacation.
The image featured at the top of this post is ©Dmitrijs Kaminskis/Shutterstock.com.