Thrift Stores That Give Back

Brown Elephant Resale Shops
Addresses: 812 W Belmont Ave (Northalsted) and 5404 N Clark St (Andersonville)
Hours: Open daily, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

You can shop, refresh your closet, and support a good cause at the same time. Every purchase at Brown Elephant helps fund LGBTQ+ healthcare through Howard Brown Health. Expect racks of clothing, home décor, and fine jewelry, plus a media shelf with a wide range of queer titles at the Northalsted store. Brown Elephant has also advertised a weekly Monday sale with 50% off clothing and accessories (excluding jewelry), so check its social pages before you go. It also offers a 10% off coupon when you join its newsletter.

Monarch Thrift Shop
Address: 2875 N Milwaukee Ave (Avondale)
Hours: Tuesday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.; Wednesday, Thursday, and Saturday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Friday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sunday 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Closed Monday.

Monarch has the feel of a boutique, with the prices and purpose of a nonprofit. Since 2015, it has used donated clothing and household goods to create job training opportunities for people facing barriers to employment. It sits right along the Avondale-Logan Square boundary and is a beloved local favorite. It is a great place to look for a jacket, a set of dishes, or a new-to-you lamp.

Vintage Clothing Worth the Hunt

Kokorokoko
Address: 1323 N Milwaukee Ave (Wicker Park)
Hours: Monday through Thursday 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

If you grew up in the 80s or 90s, or just wish you did, this is your stop. Kokorokoko has been open for more than 17 years and stocks clothing, accessories, books, and knickknacks from those decades. Watch for finds like 80s Swatch watches, vintage books, and hats in denim and wool. Go with time to browse, because there is a lot to see.

Knee Deep Vintage
Address: 1219 W 18th St (Pilsen)
Hours: Monday through Thursday 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Friday and Saturday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. (Note: Closing times occasionally extend to 8 p.m. on weekdays during peak summer seasons; check ahead.)

Knee Deep is a favorite for wearable vintage. The shop carries men's and women's clothing from the Victorian era through the 1990s, plus accessories and housewares. It is open seven days a week, so it works well for a spontaneous weekend trip. If you have vintage pieces to sell, it buys clothing on weekends, but call ahead first.

Shangri-La Vintage
Address: 1952 W Roscoe St (Roscoe Village)
Hours: Thursday and Friday 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Monday through Wednesday.

This small shop has been a Roscoe Village staple since 1992. It is known for very affordable vintage from the 1950s through the 1990s, and it goes well beyond clothing, with jewelry, purses, belts, hats, men's ties, vintage fabrics, buttons, magazines, and housewares. The shop says new items are added every day of the week, so it is worth visiting more than once.

Richard's Fabulous Finds
Address: 2545 W North Ave (Humboldt Park)
Hours: Wednesday through Saturday 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Closed Monday and Tuesday.

Menswear shoppers, this one is for you. Richard's is a beautifully organized vintage shop with suits, shirts, shoes, and accessories that are dry cleaned and ready to wear. You will also find glassware, décor, and paintings if you want to style the whole look. Give yourself time to talk with the owner, who is known for helping shoppers pull outfits together.

Furniture, Costumes, and Antiques

Three Stars Vintage
Address: 2882 N Milwaukee Ave (Avondale)
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Sunday.

Three Stars is a family-owned shop built on the motto "Quality Matters." The owner hand-picks vintage and mid-century modern furniture, home décor, and jewelry that is made to last. It sits almost directly across from Monarch Thrift Shop, so you can visit both in one easy stop.

Lost Eras
Address: 1511 W Howard St (Rogers Park)
Hours: Generally Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Closed Sunday.

Lost Eras is a Rogers Park institution. This third-generation family business has supplied costumes and props to theaters and film productions since 1969, and its showroom is packed with vintage clothing, antiques, costumes, and props. It is a fun place to browse even if you are not looking for anything specific, and a strong choice if you are putting together a Halloween costume.

Make a Day of It

• Plan a Milwaukee Avenue stop: Monarch and Three Stars are almost across the street from each other, and Kokorokoko is further down on the same avenue.
• Check the days first: Many small shops close a couple of days a week, and some close on major holidays.
• Go on a weekday if you can: It is easier to browse without peak weekend crowds.
• Try things on: Look over zippers, seams, and any signs of wear before you buy. Bring a tote bag and some patience—the best finds often take a little digging.
• Donate while you are there: Brown Elephant and Monarch accept donations, directly helping support their community missions.

Final Thoughts

The best part of thrifting is not knowing what you will find. Start with the shop closest to you, then let one neighborhood lead to the next.