Fast fashion, circular economy, upcycling, carbon footprint, zero waste… There are lots of sustainability buzzwords today.
And with all these different concepts and ideas, it’s confusing to know where to start and what part you can play as an individual to live sustainably.
But one thing we know is that buying second-hand is a way to reduce your environmental impact. By doing so, you’re extending the life of an item that would otherwise be thrown away and aren’t contributing to the negative fast fashion cycle.
Luckily, there are tons of great thrift stores in Tucson where you can be part of this sustainable solution. Here are 16 you need to know about.
The Thrifting Solution: Sustainability and Community
Thrifting—both buying from and donating to second-hand stores—has layers of benefits.
First, there are the personal benefits, including:
- Decluttering: Giving away things you don’t, especially in your work environment, can promote increased productivity. You can also simplify your lifestyle and focus on things you really care about.
- Creativity: Purchasing second-hand means you often find items that are unique and one-of-a-kind. It’s a great way to flex your creativity muscle!
- Affordability: Used goods are cheaper than new, so getting into thrifting is a great way to save some of your hard-earned money.
Then there are the collective benefits:
- Sharing: Thrifting helps your neighbors by, essentially, sharing goods with each other. Instead of throwing something out, you give it new life in someone else’s hands.
- Giving: Many second-hand stores, including some Tucson thrift stores on this list, directly support charitable initiatives in the community.
Finally, there are the benefits to the environment:
- Reducing waste: Goods are diverted from the landfill when they’re donated to a thrift store. This means there’s less waste in our landfills or, even worse, our oceans and landscapes.
- Using less energy: As more people buy second-hand, there will be less demand for new clothing, which requires energy to make. Also, disposing of unwanted items also uses energy—the longer they’re used, the less energy to eliminate them.
It’s really a win-win-win situation! So whether you’re looking to declutter and donate (or sell) some of your unwanted goods, or you want to pick up some new (to you) goods, there’s a Tucson thrift shop for you.
Here are 16 local options for you to consider.
Shop or Donate: 16 Tucson Thrift Stores
Thrift stores in Tucson vary based on what they sell and whether or not it’s connected to a charity or non-profit.
Some thrift shops accept donations from community members while others don’t. Higher-end or vintage shops often have higher price points and will purchase items to re-sell in their shop. If you have some unique or interesting pieces, this is a way to make some extra cash instead of donating it for free.
These 16 Tucson thrift stores are sorted by what they sell and include information on donations and sales. Make sure to contact the shop directly if you have any questions or need more information.
Vintage and Curated Thrift Shops in Tucson
1. How Sweet It Was Vintage
Find high-quality and one-of-a-kind vintage clothing at How Sweet It Was Vintage. They regularly curate themed collections like Halloween or Fall Vibes to help you find exactly what you’re looking for.
Address: 424 East 6th Street (map)
Donations and sales: If you want to sell clothes here, you can drop them off during the week and staff will evaluate items. Note that they will not choose all items, only those that fit their vintage style and quality standards.
2. Tucson Thrift Shop
Tucson Thrift Shop is a great spot to find vintage clothing from the 1950s-1990s. They also have select new and used Halloween outfits, accessories, and shoes.
Address: 319 N 4th Avenue (map)
Donations and sales: Contact Tucson Thrift Shop to learn about items they accept.
3. Gather A Vintage Market
Gather hosts a four-day market once a month where they offer select finds of antiques and vintage items. Pieces come from all parts of the country and Europe, so you can find some truly interesting finds at the market.
Address: 300 S Park Avenue (map)
Donations and sales: Pieces available to purchase are curated by Gather’s vendors; they do not accept donations.
4. Las Dos CoMadres Thrift Shop
Started by two retired social workers who became friends through community work, Las Dos CoMadres is a thrift shop that offers unique and affordable clothing, artists from local communities, and interesting jewelry and accessories.
Address: 2002 S 4th Avenue (map)
Donations and sales: Contact the store owners to learn about what they accept.
Multi-Location Thrift Shops in Tucson
1. Goodwill
Perhaps the most well-known thrift shop, Goodwill has multiple locations throughout the Tucson area. These large stores have huge selections of clothing, shoes, accessories, and home goods.
Address: Multiple locations in Tucson—use Goodwill’s “find a store” tool to discover.
Donations and sales: Donate your used clothing and goods at one of Goodwill’s many donation centers in the area. Note that you can also donate your old computers to Goodwill through their Reconnect program. This program diverts technology from the landfill and decides if it should be refurbished, resold, or responsibly recycled.
2. Plato’s Closet
Plato’s Closet has many locations around the state and country and is known for selling designer and brand-name clothing at affordable prices. They focus mostly on teen and young adult styles and offer cash to those who want to sell their pieces to the store.
Address: Multiple locations in Tucson—use Plato’s Closet “find a store” tool to discover.
Donations and sales: Plato’s Closet will buy your gently used brand-name clothing and accessories to re-sell in-store. You can bring in your items for review and be paid cash for pieces they keep.
Charitable Thrift Shops in Tucson
1. Gospel Rescue Mission
Gospel Rescue Mission provides basic needs—shelter, food, and clothing—for those experiencing homelessness. As part of their programs, they accept donations of goods and clothes to help individuals and families get on their feet again. This is one of many charities you can give back to in Tucson and support the work they do in the community.
Address: 4550 S Palo Verde Road (map)
Donations and sales: Gospel Rescue Mission accepts in-kind donations including non-perishable food, clothing, hygiene and baby items, furniture, and more—click here for a full list of accepted goods.
2. ReThreads Thrift
ReThreads offers high-quality, curated second-hand clothing and accessories. They provide job training for adults in mental health recovery. It’s part of Our Place Clubhouse, a charity and community for mental health recovery, and provides support in a work-focused environment.
Address: 66 E. Pennington, Tucson (map)
Donations and sales: ReThreads accepts donations of gently used clothing, shoes, and jewelry.
3. Humane Society of Southern Arizona Thrift Store
The HSSA Thrift Store has a wide variety of secondhand clothing and household goods. Proceeds of the store benefit the Humane Society of Southern Arizona, which takes in pets from the area and supports their medical needs, nursing them to health.
Address: 1010 S Wilmot Road (map)
Donations and sales: The HSSA Thrift Store accepts donations of furniture, household items, books, jewelry, clothes, and more.
4. Treasures & More
Treasures & More is a curated resale store with used and vintage clothing, furniture, and household items. Proceeds support Miracle Center and GAP Ministries; the store is part of GAP’s training program where students learn on-the-job skills and experience for a career in retail.
Address: 5527 E. Pima Street (map)
Donations and sales: Donations of gently used clothing, housewares, and furniture are accepted at the store.
5. Blessingdales
This Tucson thrift store supports the Teen Challenge of Arizona, a non-profit that helps youth, adults, and families find solutions to life-controlling problems and become productive members of society.
Address: 4817 E. Speedway Boulevard
Donations and sales: Blessingdales accepts items at the store during business hours.
6. Bringing Out the Best
Bringing Out the Best and Wings for Women support the community by providing food and clothing to those in need. They’re food box program is a holiday initiative to help feed families in the area. Proceeds from their thrift store boutique go directly to support the organization’s programs.
Address: 5320 E Speedway Boulevard (map)
Donations and sales: Contact staff to learn more about donating items to the thrift shop.
Computers, Homeware, and More Thrift Shops in Tucson
1. We Care Tucson
If you have an old computer or other electronics lying around, donate it to We Care Tucson. They will recycle or refurbish what’s still good and recycle the rest. They even transfer data and clear the hard drive free of charge.
Address: 3029 N Stone Avenue (map)
Donations and sales: We Care Tucson takes donations of outdated technology and medical equipment.
2. AZStRUT: Arizona Students Recycling Used Technology
While not located in Tucson, this initiative is so amazing we have to mention it. AZStRUT is a non-profit organization that supports Arizona’s technical education and sustainability initiatives by refurbishing old technology and giving it to schools and organizations in need.
Address: 1720 W Broadway Road, Mesa (map)
Donations and sales: AZStrUT accepts technology donations at multiple drop-off points.
3. 22nd Street Antique Mall
Vintage and antique dealers show off their wares at this unique Tucson thrift shop spot. You can find one-of-a-kind collectible items, homewares, furniture, decor, and more.
Address: 5302 East 22nd Street (map)
Donations and sales: They do not accept one-off donations, but you can inquire about renting a booth or case to sell your vintage and antique wares.
4. Annabell’s Attic
This Tucson thrift store is over 20,000 square feet, full of amazing gently used furniture, decorator items, jewelry, art, and more. If you’re purchasing bigger pieces, Annabell’s offers delivery and moving services throughout Tucson.
Address: 6202 E Speedway Boulevard (map)
Donations and sales: Annabell’s Attic will buy almost anything from the home, from one item to a full estate. Contact them to learn more about what you can bring and sell.
Buying from and donating to thrift stores benefits you, your community, and the environment.
So, what are you waiting for? Get out there and check out these 16 unique Tucson thrift stores and contribute to a positive cycle in your city today.
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