Thrifting has never been more popular. And why not? Thrift stores are great places to shop for the things you need at prices you can afford. They’re wonderful staples of any community, as well, helping those in need and providing a useful solution for those looking to let go of a few things. It’s the perfect example of neighbors helping neighbors.
Not sure where the thrift stores in your community are located? If you live in southcentral Pennsylvania, then we plan to remedy that. We’ve compiled a list of our favorite thrift stores and consignment stores in Harrisburg, PA. This season, why not make it a fun project to hit them all?
Grab your friends and any items you’re looking to hand over to a new owner and head to some of these convenient destinations.
From the well-trafficked favorites to the hidden gems that lie a bit more off the beaten path, how many of these 15 spots have you visited?
Located east of Harrisburg in West Hanover, Wonders Found Thrift Shop is an extension of the Mt. Calvary United Methodist Church, located just nearby. Although they are Methodist-affiliated, they welcome visitors of every denomination, faith and belief-system and offer clothing, toys, books, furniture, dishes, utensils and so much more. They’re also known for their exceptionally low prices, selling items cheaply even among thrift shops.
All proceeds from this shop are donated to the church’s mission projects across the country, as well as local organizations. In addition, shoppers are welcome to help themselves to free cookies, coffee and tea while they browse.
Shining Light Thrift Shop is another charming little store that’s an outreach of a local church — this time, the local St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Whether you’re Catholic or not, however, you’ll love shopping here. They sell a wide range of assorted items, making your trip here something like a treasure hunt — or a search through your grandparents’ attic.
Shining Light is located in Harrisburg’s hipster-casual midtown neighborhood, not far from popular destinations like the Broad Street Market and Midtown Scholar Bookstore. And as a bonus, you can feel great about shopping here, knowing this store is responsible for giving away plenty of donations to those in need for free.
It wouldn’t be a list of thrift stores if we didn’t include a Salvation Army location. This particular branch is located just off Union Deposit Road in Harrisburg and features an excellent selection of all the items commonly found at Salvation Army locations — from clothing, shoes and accessories to furniture, books, toys, dishes, knickknacks and more.
This location is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., making it convenient whenever you want to visit. If your schedule allows, however, why not plan to hit this store on a Wednesday? You might just find many of the items are half-priced.
Habitat for Humanity is a non-profit organization that’s well-known for their goal of building affordable housing across the country and around the globe. But did you know that they also have a branch of their organization known as the ReStore?
These ReStores sell furniture and building materials at affordable prices. Items sold here are overstocked, used or discontinued and donated by manufacturers and retailers as well as by consumers like you. And of course, all proceeds from this store go toward supporting Habitat for Humanity’s worldwide mission.
Here in Harrisburg, our ReStore location is on Paxton Street in the downtown area, just off the Capital Beltway Bridge. They’re closed on Mondays and Sundays, but open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. every other day of the week.
The ReStore might have the big name of Habitat for Humanity behind it, but they’re not the only destination for used furniture in Harrisburg. If you’re looking for affordably-priced furniture, don’t forget to stop by 3rd Street Used Furniture. As the name suggests, they’re located right on 3rd Street, making them accessible and easy to find.
Browse couches, chairs, tables, dressers, benches and everything in between. Pieces come in a variety of conditions, as well, from gems in like-new condition to some more well-used ones that might make the perfect project for any amateur furniture restoration enthusiasts.
Like Salvation Army, Community Aid is a chain thrift store that’s a significant player in the industry, making it worth a spot on this list by virtue of this brand alone. However, this Community Aid location has far more to offer than just a well-known name. It was recently built and is one of the clean, spacious and exceptionally well-organized thrift stores in the area.
Browse racks of well-organized clothing, an impressive book selection, racks upon racks of shoes, kitchenware, DVDs and so many other gently-used goods. For anyone who enjoys thrifting — or is simply looking to save a little extra money — this store isn’t one to miss. Stop by Lewis Road today to see what bargains you’ll find.
This location isn’t quite as new or as spacious as the Harrisburg one, but don’t let that stop you. This store is located right on Carlisle Pike, making it a highly-trafficked spot — meaning the inventory is continually changing. While some lesser-trafficked thrift stores might carry the same stock for months or even years at a time, you’re sure to find new things every time you visit this busy store.
Additionally, if you plan your trip for a Wednesday, you can take advantage of their incredible 50 percent off sales, cutting their already fabulous prices down even further. Whether you’re shopping for clothes, dishes, movies or just browsing, you’re guaranteed to find something interesting here.
This is another thrift store located in Mechanicsburg. It’s a bit of a drive if you’re coming from the east side of Harrisburg, but we think you’ll find it’s worth it. At Pink Hands of Hope, all the proceeds are donated to help local women battling breast cancer. While this is a fantastic cause in and of itself, it also makes for a great building design — everything is pink-themed.
Explore two floors of gently-used merchandise, including men’s and women’s clothes, purses, jewelry, accessories and even some furniture. Prices are also affordable, making this a fun and cheap stop for you.
In addition to simply selling used merchandise, Pink Hands of Hope is also involved in helping women fight breast cancer in lots of other ways. They donate items like wigs, shawls and caps for women undergoing treatment, put on a fashion show for breast cancer patients and provide makeovers for patients in remission. With so many services like these going on behind the scenes, this is one place where you’ll both love to shop and love the business you’re supporting.
Yet another major chain player in the world of thrift stores, Goodwill is an essential part of any serious thrifter’s list of places to visit. The Harrisburg Location is near the State Street Bridge and offers plenty of great deals to go around.
Hunt for something specific, such as clothing, shoes, handbags, dishes, furniture, music or DVDs. Or, just let yourself browse aimlessly and see what treasures you might stumble across.
Of course, what would a thrifting adventure be without a good old-fashioned vintage and antique store? Here at Atomic Warehouse, you’ll get exactly that. This quirky little shop has won over hundreds of fans, and we think it just might work its magic on you, too.
This little shop boasts an inventory of “vintage everything.” Here, you’ll find clothes, furniture, toys, electronics, dishes, décor and countless more miscellaneous items from the mid-century and beyond. The store’s fans describe it as cluttered and filled with random odds-and-ends, but in a charming and enticing way. If you could compare some thrift stores to your grandma’s attic, this store’s legions of fans describe Atomic Warehouse as your eccentric uncle’s attic, where he kept all his favorite items from the 50s, 60s and 70s.
This store is an absolute must-visit for any avid antiquers or thrifters. They’re open seven days a week from 12 to 6 p.m., and on-street parking is available at their Market Street location.
What sets Red Door Consignment Gallery apart from the other used furniture shops we’ve mentioned so far? It’s simple — this store is huge. Here, you can browse three extensive levels, all filled with furniture in every style imaginable, including mid-century designs as well as modern pieces. Best of all? They’re priced at a fraction of their retail value.
Between the fabulous selection, knowledgeable staff and convenient Paxton Street location, this should be one of the first stops on your list if you’re moving or looking to redecorate.
Are you one of the many people who has never heard of the Thrifty Shopper? If so, then we want to change that. To find this quaint little shop, you’ll need to look in the parking garage by the downtown Hilton and Strawberry Square. Here, you’ll find a small, cozy consignment shop with a quality selection and unbeatable prices.
While the store’s small size keeps it from having the enormous selection of some of the chain brands we’ve mentioned, the items you will find here are in excellent condition and priced affordably. In addition to this, the staff has a reputation for friendliness, helpfulness and putting on great sales.
The next time you’re on Market Street in Camp Hill, take the opportunity to stop into Hello Gorgeous Consignment Boutique. While plenty of thrift and consignment shops are tiny, this place boasts room to breathe, allowing you to shop the wide selection without knocking elbows with every other customer.
The focus here is primarily on clothes, jewelry, shoes and other accessories, but you may also be able to find some small décor items. Another perk of this shop? They’re known for occasionally having designer brands in stock for terrific prices. If you don’t feel like going out, visit their online store to get the same great deals without ever leaving your couch.
It’s impossible to deny the fact that the majority of thrift and consignment shops are oriented toward adult women. This isn’t to say they don’t include other sections, but these areas almost always significantly smaller than the women’s section. If you’re looking for high-quality gently-used children’s clothing that doesn’t break the bank, then you won’t want to miss out on Free Spirit Children’s Clothing.
Located just outside of Harrisburg in Lemoyne, this friendly and cheerful-looking shop is bright, clean and well-decorated. Plus, it’s not just a space that sells items for children — they also do a fabulous job of creating a space that is designed for children. For example, the kids can hang out in the children’s play area while their parents shop.
Browse kids’ deals for every size, including shoes and accessories, and keep an eye out for some of the great sales that go on here.
It’s one thing to shop at a simple thrift store. Here, styles might be relatively current — or perhaps a few years dated. To shop at a vintage store is something different, however, and at JM’s Thrift & Vintage, you’ll get an exciting taste of the latter.
This shop, located on Harrisburg’s 3rd Street, prides itself on offering up an eclectic combination of “something different.” Here, you’ll find used and vintage clothing, appliances, furniture, décor and other authentic vintage items. The stock is continuously changing, so even if you’ve visited before, it’s always worth making another trip. You never know quite what treasures you’ll find waiting for you inside.
If you already live in the Harrisburg area, then there’s a good chance you’ve already visited some of these wonderful, unique spots. But if you’re new to the area or just looking to move here, then you’ve got plenty of exciting thrifting adventures ahead of you.
Of course, moving involves more than simply planning all the fun things you’ll do once you get here. You have plenty of details to iron out first, and the biggest of those is finding a place to live. If you’re looking to rent in the Harrisburg area, then we encourage you to check out our rental communities here at Triple Crown Corporation.
You’ll find our communities spread across the Harrisburg area, from Mechanicsburg, Camp Hill and New Cumberland on the West Shore to Harrisburg proper across the river. Great locations aren’t the only thing to love about these communities, either. Many of our homes also offer outstanding combinations of amenities, including possibilities like free pools and fitness centers, free cable TV, finished basements, wood-burning fireplaces and private entrances.
Learn more about our beautiful rental homes and get started planning your move today.