Beautiful Denver, Colorado is home to the Rocky Mountains, Red Rocks Amphitheater, and numerous other sporting events and museums. There's no shortage of things to do in this gorgeous city! But did you know that Denver is also home to some unique and popular thrift stores?
From downtown shops to larger venues, thrifting in Denver can be a fun and rewarding adventure. If you're in the area and considering a day of thrifting, here are 8 shops worth a stop. Let's dive into each one!
Strawberry Mountain
825 Santa Fe Dr., Denver CO 80204
Located in the heart of Denver, Strawberry Mountain is a well-known thrift store. The mission of this unique shop is to allow people to recycle and reuse fashion items. Avoiding buying something new helps both the environment and your wallet. Their blog is also up to date and includes funky style guides that feature items found within the thrift store.
- 4-serving meals starting at $3.77 per serving (up to 25% cheaper than HelloFresh).
- Incredible variety with 10+ weekly meal options, delivered directly to you.
- Easy to prepare meals ready in 30-minutes or less.
Additionally, Strawberry Mountain has been voted Westword's “Best of Denver” in both 2022 and 2023. The shop is also involved with the community offering opening hours during Denver's Art District on Santa Fe Art Walks and Community Yoga every third Thursday of the month.
If you're looking to sell your gently used goods, keep in mind that the store is buying by appointment only. But if you're curious about what they'll take and how they pay, their website offers several tips to keep in mind.
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Boss Vintage
10 S. Broadway Denver, CO
Known as the oldest vintage clothing store in Denver, Boss Vintage was founded in 1989. This store is perfect if you're looking to spend a little more on the perfect vintage item. The shop's original owner, Cynthia Wright, was well-known for her knowledge of fashion history. Additionally, the shop has been used as a source for Hollywood costumes in movies like Titanic, Forest Gump, and Benjamin Button.
Today, you can either visit the shop on Broadway or shop online through their website. Boss Vintage is also a staple in the Broadway and Baker District communities, donating to charities and sourcing locally owned items. If you're interested in selling your gently used vintage items, be sure to check out their website for guidelines and items they're currently purchasing.
Show Pony Vintage
2025 S University Blvd., Denver CO 80210
Show Pony Vintage is a newer thrift store in Denver having opened its doors in January of 2022. Its owner, Emily Hawver, set up the store with a unique idea in mind. Instead of sourcing all of the items herself, she rents out up to 15 racks to local vendors who sell their own items and pay a commission to the store. According to The Denver Post, this store opening filled a void and helped to employ people after a larger thrift shop closed its 3 stores in the area.
Because the shop features several different vendors, it offers various items including men's and women's apparel, home goods, jewelry, and an ever-changing stock of items. Show Pony Vintage is also known for its colorful, funky style. It also offers both vintage and second-hand items, so there's something for everyone.
Garage Sale Vintage
1445 Larimer St Denver, CO 80202
- 4-serving meals starting at $3.77 per serving (up to 25% cheaper than HelloFresh).
- Incredible variety with 10+ weekly meal options, delivered directly to you.
- Easy to prepare meals ready in 30-minutes or less.
Another unique thrift store in Denver is Garage Sale Vintage. With a tagline of “Come for the Vintage. (Stay for the margaritas.)” this store offers a full experience from shopping for second-hand clothing, to buying and selling vinyl records and enjoying adult beverages at the bar. Clothing ranges from styles in the 1960s to the early Y2K years. Their mission is to offer “sustainable fashion, fun, and art.” No items are allowed to be sold from “fast fashion” stores found in many malls today. The store places a high value on recycling and choosing fashionable items that are also good for the earth.
Garage Sale Vintage also expands beyond Denver. The store has other locations in Nashville, TN, Lakewood, CO, and Boulder, CO. You can enjoy shopping online through their website as well. If you're interested in selling your items, be sure to read their requirements, but there's an option for locals to use their buy/sell/trade program.
Arc Thrift Stores
255 South Hooker Street, Denver, CO 80219
With numerous locations in Denver and the surrounding areas, Arc Thrift Stores is a popular thrifting option in the city. Arc Thrift Stores opened its first location on Broadway in 1968 and is known for its contribution to the community. Arc is the largest employer of people with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Many of their proceeds go to charities like the Arc, ACL, and Advocacy Denver Chapters as well.
Additionally, their website states that Arc thrift stores have saved 100 million pounds of goods from ending up in local landfills. 65 million of the 100 is repurposed cloth. If you're looking to contribute to Arc and its purpose, you can donate your gently used clothing anytime. Be sure to check your closest locations and their hours.
©gabriel12/Shutterstock.com
The Ten Penny Store
250 N Broadway #110, Denver, Colorado
The Ten Penny Store first opened its doors in 2017 and is also located on Broadway. The store's design looks like a blast from the past and they offer clothing from as far back as the early 1900s to the 1990s. They also have vinyl records, accessories, and unique gift ideas that arrive daily but are most known for their fun and vintage tees. Additionally, they partner with a local photographer who offers 19th and 20th-century photos that can be used in a variety of different ways.
If you're looking to sell your vintage or gently used items to this store, be sure to contact them first. Their website states that they are buying by appointment only and to ask them about what they're currently looking for.
Assistance League
6265 E. Evans Avenue, Suite 15, Denver, CO 80222
The Assistance League of Denver is similar to Arc Thrift Stores in its mission to give back to the community. The business is set up as a nonprofit and is run entirely by volunteers. Every dollar spent here goes back to the Denver community with their website reporting 813 thousand dollars already given back.
The organization is much more than just a thrift store. It's also home to other philanthropic programs including the Assistance League School, and various other programs that help schools, seniors, and those needing healthcare equipment. Their mission is to “transform lives by collaborating with schools, families, and seniors to enhance educational experiences and improve health and well-being.”
- 4-serving meals starting at $3.77 per serving (up to 25% cheaper than HelloFresh).
- Incredible variety with 10+ weekly meal options, delivered directly to you.
- Easy to prepare meals ready in 30-minutes or less.
If you're looking to donate your gently used clothing or home goods items, donations can be dropped off Monday through Saturday at the address listed above. You can also contact the store to ask about other volunteer opportunities.
Regal Vintage
1866 S Broadway, Denver, CO 80210
Regal Vintage is also located on Broadway and is a thrift and vintage store that believes in sustainability and repurposing gently used items. The store was established in 2005 and offers unique styles and clothing from every era. In fact, its pieces are organized by era and include items dating back to the prohibition days.
Regal Vintage's owner posted to the store's Yelp page that they specialize in “unique and one-of-a-kind pieces.” From clothing to toys and collectibles, Regal Vintage is a thrift store that continues to expand and grow in the Denver area.
Final Thoughts
While there are numerous fun and exciting adventures you can enjoy in Denver, thrifting is a great option and one that can be enjoyed anywhere in the city. The shops we've discussed here offer everything from donated, gently used items to early 1900s vintage pieces. You also have options depending on whether you'd like to shop, sell, or donate. Happy thrifting!
The image featured at the top of this post is ©gabriel12/Shutterstock.com.