From vintage and antique shops to secondhand stores, the Queen City is jam-packed with dozens of thrifting gems. While thrift stores can be the perfect spots to find inexpensive household items and clothes, some stores also donate a portion of their proceeds to community members in need. Here are five Cincinnati thrift stores that give back.
St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store and Donation Center
With eight locations around the Cincinnati area, St. Vincent de Paul (SVDP) is not only known as a loved, local thrift store, but also as a spot that has been giving back for over 150 years. Proceeds from each shop go toward helping people in need in Hamilton County through SVDP's neighborhood food pantries, their Rent & Utility Assistance Program and Charitable Pharmacy.
“In addition, last year over $500,000 worth of clothing, furniture and household goods were distributed to our neighbors in need, at no cost, through our Voucher Program,” says Kristen Gallagher, SVDP's marketing and communications manager.
Find a slew of gently used clothing, jewelry and shoes as well as kids’ toys, furniture, decor and even mattresses. There are always weekly mark-downs on certain selections, meaning "Vinnie's" is the perfect spot to visit often to make sure you don’t miss a deal. Be sure to check out the Outlet Store (4545 Chickering Ave., Spring Grove Village/St. Bernard), where merchandise is sold by weight — usually at around $1.09 per pound.
“The opening of this new store (in July 2020) was accelerated by the influx of donations that we received during the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Gallagher. “It can be a great resource for families on a budget.”
Find locations and more information at svdpcincinnati.org.
Peppermint Pig Thrift & Gift
Combine your love of thrifting and animals at Peppermint Pig Thrift & Gift, where 100% of the proceeds go toward funding Peppermint Pig Animal Rescue.
Peppermint Pig does not have a physical shelter to house its animals that are up for adoption. Instead, the animals are in the foster homes of volunteers who have given their time to care for them. And the organization relies on thrifters who shop — and those who donate gently used items to the store — to help pets in need find their fur-ever home. Every penny made at the Peppermint Pig Thrift & Gift goes directly toward paying for veterinary care and other expenses.
"The average cost to completely vet a healthy dog coming into our rescue, on average, is roughly between $200-$300; and that doesn’t cover food, treats, bedding, or any of the other miscellaneous items required to maintain a pet in our care," says Peppermint Pig.
Donations range from ordinary to incredible, including clothing, baseball cards, artwork, books, and even antique Hummel figurines.
“Once, a man donated his huge collection of Hawaiian shirts,” says Melissa Craver, volunteer at Peppermint Pig. “Those were put out on a Saturday and sold out in the four hours we were open.”
While you shop and help Peppermint Pig's mission, you can even visit with a few feline residents who have made the thrift store their permanent home.
8454 Beechmont Ave., Beechmont, peppermintpiganimalrescue.org.
Legacies Upscale Resale
Legacies Upscale Resale is joined with Cancer Support Community of Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky (CSC), meaning all profits go toward helping people with cancer in the area. Their showroom at Hyde Park Plaza offers around 18,000 items at a time — from high-end furniture, original artwork and jewelry to rugs and more. Legacies offers around a 50%-80% discount off the original retail price.
“The Cancer Support Community is really a hidden treasure for local cancer patients,” says business manager Rebecca Guthier. “They provide support, education and hope for people with cancer and their families.”
Although Legacies doesn’t accept clothing donations, their store is packed full with furniture and other home items as well as vintage or antique pieces.
“It really is a treasure hunt any time you come in the store, you never know what you will find,” Guthier says.
3854 Paxton Ave., Hyde Park, shoplegacies.com.
Seven Hills Academy Resale Shop
A creative venture by the families at Seven Hills Academy, this shop is open to the public and is owned and operated by the school. The thrift shop relies on donated items from family members of students attending the school. From clothing, sporting goods, jewelry, shoes, household items and more, all proceeds at the Resale Shop go directly toward student transportation, athletic infrastructure, and curriculum needs, according to the website.
5445 Red Bank Road, Madisonville, 7hills.org.
Salvation Army
With locations in more than 100 countries across the world and around 8,000 stores in the U.S., the Salvation Army has been assisting millions of people in need since 1865. The organization has planted six brick-and-mortars in the Greater Cincinnati area. Donate and shop knowing that roughly 82 cents of every dollar you spend is put back into programs that help locals in need.
Find locations and learn more at salvationarmy.org.
And if you need a little thrift-shopping inspiration, let Macklemore and Ryan Lewis help out.
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