Edmonton offers an extremely well-developed network of second-hand and charity shops that cater to the diverse needs of the city's residents. From large chain charity organizations to small local initiatives, from budget options to premium consignment boutiques, the culture of reusing items is deeply rooted in the Edmonton way of life. For newcomers to Canada and those looking to reduce their consumption or find unique items at affordable prices, understanding what thrift stores are available in the city is an important part of adapting to life in Alberta.
Large chain charity shops
The largest and most well-known chain of charity thrift stores in Edmonton is Value Village, which is part of the international Savers group. There are several Value Village locations in the city, including stores on Mark Messier Trail and 137th Avenue, Fort Road and 137 Avenue in the Belvedere area, 34th Ave NW, and a store on 103 Street NW in the city center. Value Village operates on a model where the company purchases donations from charitable partners such as Diabetes Canada and Inclusion Alberta, allowing these organizations to fund their programs and initiatives in the community.
Value Village offers a huge assortment of goods, including clothing for the whole family, shoes and accessories, books and media, tableware and home goods, furniture, electronics, sports equipment, and toys. The stores are open seven days a week with convenient hours, making them accessible to most Edmontonians. Value Village accepts donations of backpacks and bags, electronics, bedding and towels, clothing and shoes, fitness and sports items, books and media, games and toys, kitchenware, small appliances, and small furniture. The company is committed to giving items a second chance at life, helping to save millions of kilograms of clothing and household goods from ending up in landfills each year.
Goodwill Industries of Alberta is another important chain of charity shops in Edmonton with eleven locations throughout the city. Goodwill stores are located in various areas, including downtown Edmonton, Westview, South Park, Manning Crossing, and many other convenient locations. Every time you make a donation to Goodwill, the proceeds from sales at their thrift stores go toward providing job training and employment opportunities for Albertans with disabilities. This makes every purchase at Goodwill not only economically beneficial, but also socially responsible.
Goodwill Edmonton is restocked with new merchandise daily, including well-known brands, which means a wide selection of high-quality items. The assortment includes clothing, shoes, accessories, home goods, tableware, small appliances, books, furniture, and much more. Stores are typically open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., although hours may vary depending on location. Goodwill offers weekly promotions, including color tag sales and seniors' day every Wednesday, as well as the GOOD Rewards Card loyalty program, which helps maximize every dollar spent in the store.
The Salvation Army also has several locations in Edmonton, offering a wide range of second-hand goods at affordable prices. Salvation Army stores are located at 14530 111 Avenue NW and 12928 50 Street Northwest. Salvation Army thrift stores sell women's and men's clothing, children's clothing, shoes and accessories, books and magazines, furniture, dishes and kitchenware, electronics, toys, bedding, and much more. The stores also accept donations of these same categories of goods and can arrange for the pickup of large items by phone. It is important to note that the Salvation Army does not accept donations of mattresses. Stores are typically open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Independent Charity Thrift Stores and Social Enterprises
Mustard Seed Thrift Store at 6527 118 Avenue is a favorite spot for many Edmontonians thanks to its excellent inventory, amazing staff, and prices that meet the expectations of a true thrift store. The store is clean, bright, and small in size, but definitely worth a visit. Here you can find men's and women's clothing, shoes, children's clothing and toys, tableware, kitchenware, home decor, and hygiene products. Mustard Seed is open Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The store has fitting rooms, which makes shopping more convenient. A special feature of Mustard Seed is Toonie Tuesday—the first Tuesday of every month, when almost everything in the store costs only two dollars.
Proceeds from Mustard Seed go to support The Mustard Seed employment program, which helps people experiencing homelessness or poverty gain retail skills and return to the workforce. When you shop at The Mustard Seed, you can shop knowing that your purchase is making a difference. It is important to note that the store does not accept donations directly at this location—all donations should be taken to the warehouse at 10568 114 Street, which is open Monday through Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
More Than a Fad Thrift Store in Edmonton is one of the best thrift stores in the city with an excellent selection of items for all genders and ages. The store has three locations in Edmonton, including a spacious store of over ten thousand square feet in the industrial area in the southeast of the city. Prices at More Than a Fad are significantly better than at large chain thrift stores. The store is well organized and clean, with friendly staff and a cozy corner for reading and listening to music. Most importantly, all proceeds from the store go to support Adeara, an organization that helps women recover from addiction.
More Than a Fad is open Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The store is closed on Sundays and public holidays, including New Year's Day, Family Day, Good Friday, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Heritage Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Remembrance Day, Christmas, and Boxing Day. As a true non-profit organization, More Than a Fad does not charge sales tax on merchandise, making shopping here even more affordable. Items are priced very fairly, with more collectible items carrying a small premium, but not at the level of eBay or Etsy, as can be seen in some other thrift stores. The store has fitting rooms and you can find clothing, accessories, home goods, furniture, antiques, electronics, books, and much more.
Bissell Thrift Shop is another favorite independent thrift store in Edmonton, especially the location at Hermitage Square at 4314 118 Avenue NW. Although the stores may be small in size, they are filled with good items at cheaper prices than those found at Value Village. All proceeds go back to Bissell Centre programs and services that serve people experiencing poverty in Edmonton. In addition, people in need can receive vouchers to purchase clothing, dishes, and children's items at Bissell Thrift. This makes shopping here not only economical but also socially meaningful, as each purchase supports the fight against poverty in the city.
Lighthouse Thrift Boutique at 11209 149 Street is another one of Edmonton's best thrift stores for those who want to avoid Value Village. Here you can find all kinds of interesting items from the secondary market, from clothing to vintage items, and the prices are extremely affordable. The staff is friendly, and the proceeds go to support the non-profit organization Christcity Lighthouse. The store is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and offers real treasures for those who love to hunt for unique finds.
Mission Thrift Store Edmonton, located at 10531 51 Avenue NW, is a reliable place to shop in Edmonton for a little bit of everything: home decor, tableware, furniture, clothing for all ages, craft supplies, media, building materials, electronics, and books. New items arrive daily (except Sundays), so there is always something new on the shelves. The store has standardized clothing prices to ensure consistency and competitiveness and has recently expanded its men's section. Edmontonians love how clean, bright, and well-organized the store is. Mission Thrift has fitting rooms, which makes the shopping experience more comfortable.
MCC Thrift Shop, located at 7011 Girard Road in Edmonton, is a non-profit organization, which means they use their money to help people, not just to make more money. You can find many interesting things here, such as clothing, furniture, and home goods, and everything is quite cheap. MCC always has new items coming in, and the prices are really good. Just be prepared for the aisles to be a little narrow, so it can be difficult to move around. The store offers a unique service called mystery boxes—surprise boxes with various items delivered right to your door for those who feel creative. MCC Thrift is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Second Chance Thrift Shop at 7011 Girard Road NW is a large, well-organized store that raises funds for the Emmanuel Foundation and Hope Mission. One hundred percent of the profits support their projects locally and abroad. The store offers furniture, decor, home goods, new and used clothing and shoes, vintage collectibles, books, games, music, and jewelry. Second Chance Thrift Shop is open several days a week—currently Wednesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., so it's worth checking the hours before visiting. The store recently reopened after renovations and expansion, offering even more selection for shoppers.
Find Retail + Donation Center at 5120 122 Street NW is more than just a thrift store—it's a place of hope for people transitioning from homelessness to stable housing. Find offers furniture and home goods at low prices to the general public, but the organization's most important mission is to provide free furniture to participants in the Housing First program, who receive their own housing after a period of homelessness. The store accepts donations of furniture, art, antiques, collectibles, and home goods. Find operates out of a 2,260-square-foot space that houses the organization's three main activities. Since 2009, Find has grown to become the largest enterprise of its kind in North America, furnishing about 100 homes each month. It is important to note that Find does not accept clothing donations unless the clothing is donated along with furniture to the Bissell Centre.
Unique concepts and specialty thrift stores
Blenderz Garment Recyclers, located at 5609 103 Street NW, is an innovative thrift store that offers a unique “pay by weight” model. Clothing costs $3.79 per pound, making shopping extremely affordable for everyone. Blenderz emerged during the COVID pandemic as an upcycling project and quickly grew into a thriving Edmonton initiative that tackles the mountain of excess clothing that often ends up in landfills or is shipped overseas. Founder Sarah Jansen discovered that even thrift stores throw away huge amounts of textiles—she saw containers overflowing with 1.5 tons of fabric being taken to the landfill.
Blenderz's philosophy is based on the principle of zero waste and zero export. The store accepts donations directly from the community, avoiding partnerships with other second-hand stores, which often prioritize profit over sustainable development. In addition to the pay-by-weight section, Blenderz offers a huge selection of fabrics, including remnants of rolls, which are often brand new. Their sewing accessories are also excellent and cost only one dollar per item – these can be sets of buttons, fabric tape, bias tape, buckles, trims, bag hardware, and more. Zippers salvaged from damaged clothing items cost only one dollar, and sewing patterns can be purchased for fifty cents, and books for two dollars.
Blenderz also offers workshops where they teach people how to make quilts and family heirlooms from fabric scraps. The store has vintage and modern sewing machines for sale. Volunteers receive one pound of fabric for free for every four hours of work. Blenderz has sponsorship boxes where shoppers can pay for clothes for other people in need—it's like buying coffee for the person behind you in line. The store is located near Gateway Fabricland and Marshall Fabrics, so it's easy to check out their selection before buying anything new. For those looking for affordable materials for sewing and crafts, Blenderz is a true paradise. The store also has a large parking lot in the back if the front is full.
Nifty Thrifty is a local community thrift store located inside Hazeldean Drug Mart at 9611-66 Avenue NW. The store offers great deals on clothing, shoes, baby items, jewelry, and more. The selection is constantly changing, so every visit can bring new discoveries. Nifty Thrifty is open on Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The store also hosts fun events such as clothing swaps, where people can bring their unwanted clothes and exchange them for others, creating a truly sustainable model of consumption.
Capital City Vintage Mall, located at 6829-104 Street, is Edmonton's original vintage mall, offering over 4,000 square feet of expertly curated vintage decor, home goods, and clothing. The mall features over fifty vendors offering everything from mid-century modern furniture to 1990s finds—furniture, home décor, and clothing that bring timeless charm to your life. Capital City Vintage began as a pop-up vintage, antique, and street market for collectibles over several years in downtown Edmonton. The store prides itself on a constantly updated vintage assortment that is new and exciting.
Capital City Vintage has a dedicated clothing section in the back, but you can also find individual vendors displaying clothing racks at their booths. The selection is quite unpredictable, making it an interesting place to explore. The store is conveniently located near the Old Strathcona Antique Mall, so you can easily visit both places in one trip. Due to the smaller space, vendors have a high turnover of goods, which means more interesting finds every week and very often. It's worth checking Capital City Vintage's Instagram or Facebook for more current exhibitions and new arrivals.
Consignment boutiques and premium stores
For those looking for high-quality brands and designer clothing in excellent condition, Edmonton offers several excellent consignment stores. Red Pony Consignment on Whyte Avenue specializes in Canadian brands and independent designers, as well as offering vintage items. The store focuses on unique items and great deals, offering an impressive selection of Canadian brands from the past, vintage items, and locally made goods. Red Pony is known for its excellent management and fantastic team. Many Edmontonians find incredible items in their collection, as the store caters to the mid- to high-end price range with a unique aesthetic. An appointment is required to consign items at Red Pony.
My Favorite Aunt's Closet is the largest and best consignment boutique in Edmonton, operating since 1979. The store offers a diverse selection of women's fashion and home décor in a space of over six thousand square feet. My Favorite Aunt's offers an impressive selection of contemporary brands in all sizes, from zero to plus-size. Shoppers appreciate the friendly and welcoming staff, who provide helpful advice and keep the store clean and organized. The store team can spend hours helping customers find the perfect outfit for a special occasion. Many Edmontonians note that My Favorite Aunt's carries North Face and other quality athletic brands that are ideal for Alberta's active lifestyle. An appointment is also required to drop off items for consignment.
Nu2You, located at 7510 Gateway Boulevard, is Edmonton's premier high-end consignment boutique specializing in women's designer and luxury clothing and handbags. The store offers an odor-free shopping experience, which is rare for secondhand stores, as all items are in pristine condition. Nu2You offers a selection of high-quality items that fit seamlessly into a modern wardrobe, specializing in the resale of contemporary, designer, and luxury fashion, such as clothing, handbags, shoes, and accessories. Prices are 40-50% lower than regular retail prices, making designer fashion accessible to more people. Owner Debbie and her staff are extremely friendly and welcoming, willing to take the time to help you find the perfect outfit. An appointment is required to consign items.
Wrinkled on Whyte Avenue is a women's consignment boutique that focuses on trendy items and popular brands. It is a relatively new store that has quickly become popular among Edmontonians looking for stylish clothing at reasonable prices. An appointment is also required to consign items at Wrinkled, ensuring a personalized approach for each customer.
Wardrobe on Whyte is a second-floor boutique on Whyte Avenue with a selection of popular brands and classic items. The store offers a more traditional approach to consignment with an emphasis on quality and timeless style. An appointment is required to drop off items for consignment.
Posh and Chic Boutique is a consignment store for authentic luxury designer goods located in Edmonton. The store offers an ever-changing selection of 100% authentic designer inventory that combines good taste, quality, and functionality. Posh and Chic guarantees that all items are 100% authentic and will be inspected before being put up for sale. All items are listed in the condition in which they were received, whether new or used, and are final sale. The store offers local pickup and delivery for an additional fee, with full insurance due to the high value of the items.
Mod Uncorked and Swish on 124 Street are also great destinations for those looking for high-end and luxury consignment items. These stores curate collections of designer clothing and accessories, ensuring that each item meets high standards of quality and style.
Specialty Thrift and Antique Stores
Old Strathcona Antique Mall at 10323 78 Avenue NW is the largest antique mall in Western Canada with over three hundred stalls of treasures to discover. The assortment is filled with incredible collectibles, large and small, from old license plates and artwork to bedroom and living room furniture. Even if you don't like what you see, you're sure to find your next project in some of these items that are ready for renovation and restoration. The Old Strathcona Antique Mall also has a clothing section and the opportunity to find unique vintage wardrobe items.
Ibon Antiques at 10423 79 Avenue NW is a large two-story store filled with amazing furniture and all kinds of collectibles, fashion, and home decor. The store has wonderful displays, a pleasant atmosphere, and a stress-free shopping experience. Here you can find a wide selection of antique jewelry and fashion accessories, as well as an exciting collection of vintage and antique furniture. You may have to spend some time searching for that special item, as the shelves are completely filled with items large and small.
Junque Cellar on Whyte Avenue (10442 82 Avenue NW, basement) is known for its unique treasures ranging from fashion and jewelry to furniture, decor, and art. The store constantly updates its inventory and shelves with fun items, perfect for anyone looking to redecorate or update their wardrobe. In terms of antique shopping, you can browse Junque Cellar's amazing furniture collection, which offers unique finds at reasonable prices.
Beck Antiques & Jewellery Inc. has three locations in Edmonton where you can browse the company's vast collection. Beck's antiques include jewelry, interesting pop culture collectibles, paintings and prints, sculptures, maps and books, swords and knives, and a selection of other “curiosities.” The store is always looking for items, but posts on its website the items they are specifically looking for at the moment. One of the locations is at 10447 124 Street, suite a.
Tips for successful thrift store shopping
To maximize your Edmonton thrift store shopping experience, there are a few strategies to keep in mind. First, visit the stores regularly. Since the selection is constantly updated with new donations, what you see today may be completely different next week. Many experienced treasure hunters visit their favorite thrift stores weekly or even more often so they don't miss out on the best finds.
Second, choose the right time to visit. The best time to visit a thrift store in Edmonton is when there is a sale or promotion, or when the store has just received new donations. Many stores, such as Goodwill, have weekly color tag sales, where items of a certain color are sold at a significant discount. The Mustard Seed has Toonie Tuesday, when almost everything costs two dollars. It's also worth visiting stores during off-peak hours—between 9 and 11 a.m. or between 3 and 5 p.m.—for a more relaxed shopping experience.
Third, don't limit yourself to one store. Edmontonians who are serious about thrift shopping often create “loops” or routes, visiting several stores in one area. For example, Sherwood Park has a great loop: Plato's Closet, Goodwill, Value Village, and Country Clothesline. There's another Plato's Closet on Whyte Avenue, with Wrinkled and the Old Strathcona Antique Mall nearby. This approach allows you to compare prices and find the best deals.
Fourth, be patient and attentive. In thrift stores, especially those like HomeSense or Winners, items of different brands, styles, and price categories are mixed together, so finding what you want can take time. That's the appeal of treasure hunting—you never know what you'll find. Carefully check the quality of items before purchasing, looking for defects, stains, or damage.
Fifth, consider visiting thrift stores in suburban areas. Many Edmontonians recommend visiting Value Village and Goodwill in St. Albert, as well as stores in Sherwood Park and Spruce Grove. These areas are home to many active people, so you can often find quality sports equipment and outdoor clothing at great prices.
The environmental and social impact of thrift shopping
Thrift shopping has a significant environmental and social impact, making it not only economically beneficial but also ethically responsible. The textile industry is one of the most polluting industries in the world, and buying used clothing and goods helps reduce the demand for new production. Every item purchased at a second-hand store is one less item going to landfill and one less item that needs to be produced from new materials.
Organizations such as Blenderz Garment Recyclers demonstrate a true circular economy model where nothing goes to waste. Their zero waste and zero export approach means that textiles are either sold, transformed into new products through upcycling, or dismantled into components for use in other projects. This contrasts sharply with traditional thrift stores, where huge quantities of unsold goods are sent to landfills or exported to developing countries, creating environmental and economic problems there.
The social impact of thrift shopping in Edmonton is also significant. Many stores, such as Goodwill, support employment programs for people with disabilities, giving them the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and skills. The Mustard Seed helps people experiencing homelessness through its employment program. More Than a Fad supports women in recovery from addiction through Adeara. The Bissell Centre uses its profits to fight poverty in Edmonton. Find helps people transitioning from homelessness to stable housing by providing them with furniture and household goods free of charge.
When you shop at these stores, you're not just saving money—you're investing in the community and supporting the people who need help the most. This makes every purchase meaningful and creates a sense of connection to the community, which is especially important for newcomers to Canada who are building new social networks.
How to donate items
Most second-hand stores in Edmonton gladly accept donations of clean, used clothing and household items in good condition. Value Village works with charitable partners such as Diabetes Canada and Inclusion Alberta, who accept donations on your behalf. Goodwill has donation drop-off centers at all of its locations where you can leave items during donation hours. The Salvation Army also accepts donations at its stores and can arrange for the pickup of large items by calling 1-800-757-4483, although pickup is not available for Edmonton locations—drop-off only.
It is important to remember that all items must be in good condition. Clothing, including underwear, socks, and bras, must be new or gently used, clean, and dry at the time of donation. Most stores cannot accept wet or dirty clothing. There are also restrictions on certain categories of items for safety reasons—for example, most stores do not accept cribs, walkers, high chairs, car seats, or baby gates that are more than four years old.
Some stores specialize in certain categories of donations. Find accepts furniture, art, antiques, collectibles, and household items, but not clothing (except when clothing is donated along with furniture to the Bissell Centre). WIN House accepts women's, children's, and baby clothing, new diapers, and small household items. Blenderz accepts textiles and fabrics, and if you can, it is recommended that you make a monetary donation to support their upcycling efforts.
Conclusion
Edmonton offers an extremely developed and diverse ecosystem of thrift stores and charity shops that cater to all needs, budgets, and preferences. From large chain organizations like Value Village and Goodwill to small local initiatives like More Than a Fad and Blenderz, from budget options for a few dollars to premium consignment boutiques with designer items, every resident of the city can find the perfect place to shop.
Edmonton's secondhand culture is deeply rooted in the values of community, sustainability, and social responsibility. It's not just about saving money, although that's certainly important, especially for newcomers to Canada who are settling into a new country. It's about creating a more sustainable lifestyle, reducing your environmental footprint, supporting vulnerable members of the community, and discovering unique items that tell stories.
For those who have just arrived in Edmonton, thrift stores can be a great way to furnish a new home without spending a lot of money, find warm clothing for Alberta's harsh winters at reasonable prices, and learn more about Canadian culture through items that carry the history of the community. What's more, volunteering at thrift stores can be a great way to meet people, practice English, and gain Canadian work experience.
The diversity of thrift stores in Edmonton reflects the diversity of the city itself—there is something for everyone, whether you are looking for basic household items, designer clothing, vintage furniture, or unique finds. By visiting different stores, experimenting with different neighborhoods, and learning to recognize quality, you can become an expert in second-hand shopping and enjoy all the benefits of this sustainable, affordable, and socially meaningful way of consuming.