jennifer / September 9, 2004 4:30 PM

The Ark on Milwaukee in Wicker Park is always amazing for cheap and awesome vintage furniture. Village Discount on Milwaukee is the best for clothes, mainly because it's so large. I rarely find it overshopped by professional shoppers. Also, the Village Discounts on the South Side are great for both clothes and furnishings. The Salvation Army on Grand Ave. is good for cool knick knacks and bric-a-brac. I love me some thrifting.

ann / September 9, 2004 4:44 PM

Any of the Uniques on the South Side are pretty good, especially the one on 55th & Kedzie. And for furniture, Northwestern Indiana is an untapped resource.

Katie / September 9, 2004 4:53 PM

There is a Unique waayyyyyyyy South Side, near Calumet (I don't have the address) that sells great suits. My boy's friend got an awesome pinstripe Versace suit there one. Pretty sweet deal!

Alice / September 9, 2004 5:20 PM

First Arts & Antiques at 7220 W Touhy Ave (Touhy and Harlem) is great for furniture.

It's not always cheap, but they obviously buy from estate sales because you can find entire bedroom, living room, dining room sets, etc. But they also have random pieces and some unusual stuff.

Gordon / September 9, 2004 6:21 PM

Clothes Optional at 2918 N. Clark always has cool vintage and new stuff, reasonably priced. Check it out next time you're heading over to the Landmark Century!

Shylo / September 9, 2004 7:41 PM

Go to It's New to Me on Foster near North Park. Fabulous vintage-y tchotchkes, furniture, etc. Also, it's right next door to Schlegel's bakery. Have an almond pretzels and then go thrifting.

Mike / September 10, 2004 9:01 AM

I like the Children's Hospital White Elephant Resale Shop on Halstead [I think?]. It's a good cause and half the stuff in there is in as good a condition than most regular retail stores.

Andrew / September 10, 2004 10:43 AM

The Brown Elephants tend to be my choice. That said, Madame Su's on Lincoln just north of Grace and the other resale places next to it are a great spot for furniture. I picked up a Haywood Wakefield dresser (refinished in a non-standard cherry stain, unfortunately) for really cheap.

Steve / September 10, 2004 11:41 AM

eBay all the way. (Brick-and-mortar thrift stores smell like moth balls. My computer just smells like circuitry.)

steven / September 12, 2004 2:10 PM

i second the brown elephant vote

Krissy / September 28, 2004 10:18 AM

I used to be nuts for thrifting, but I don't have the patience anymore. Everything I find doesn't quite fit, and all of the cool old stuff has been taken, leaving me with a wide selection of Cosby sweaters and blazers with shoulder pads. I just can't bear it anymore. I've retired from thrifting all together.