This is one in a series of articles that explores unique and interesting sources for pre-loved items. Whether it be a thrift store, a consignment shop, a vintage or pre-owned boutique clothing venue, I’ll explore the most interesting collections on offer.
Denver is a huge thrifting opportunity zone! I thought I would divide the city and metro area into at least four quadrants. This article will focus on second hand shops in SW Denver: West of I-25 and from Colfax Avenue and south.
Mile High Thrift
This store is the darling of the Reddit crowd. I read through a number of Thrifting related threads on Reddit to get ideas of shops I needed to check out. Far and away, this shop was mentioned most and adored by Redditors.
This store is in a big rectangular space. There is a large and fairly vintage red sign on Sheridan that reads “Mile High Thrift”. This is only my guess, but the sign looks like it pre-dates the current store. The thrift store operator, “Red, White and Blue Thrift” looks like they may have embraced the existing branding of the location.
This store devoted about 80% of the floor space to clothing, shoes and other apparel. Many of the houseware items were neatly packaged in groups of things in plastic bags. I got a bag full of new humidifier filter media for $2.99, for example.
The building is large, well lit, and well organized. They seem to carry the full range of stuff you typically find at a big thrift store. Merchandise quality was middle of the road to lower end, but as is common in thrifting, there were interesting and notable exceptions.
A large collection of nice pet supplies can be found.
If you are looking for a decorative pillow, there was a grocery store aisle length selection of them.
Check out the great sneaker wall behind the checkout counter. The ones with the hearts and rainbow shoe laces are my favorite!
| Described in a few words … | Reddit Favorite |
| Best thing I bought | Elfa white wire basket for $2.99 (retails for about $30) |
| Prices | Average for a Thrift Store. There is an up-charge if you pay with Credit Card. |
| Discounts | 25% to 50% off older merchandise, based on tag color |
| Location | 2085 S. Sheridan Blvd. Denver, CO |
| Parking | Lots of free parking on the North and East side of the building |
Turn Style Consignment
This store is not a thrift store per se, but deserves a look when you are looking for second hand furniture, housewares and decor that is on the nicer end of the used spectrum. Items were nicely arranged, especially in the furnishings departments, with artwork hung on the walls. Both of the staffers I talked to were pleasant and helpful.
About half the store has furniture, home decor, and housewares.
The other half of the store carries nicer clothing, shoes, and accessories. The changing rooms were clean and had good lighting.
I just had to share a picture of this mirror, framed entirely with shells. Beach house decor?
| Described in a few words … | Home style at affordable prices |
| Best thing I bought | A set of seven stylish juice/hi-ball glasses for $7.50 |
| Prices | Furniture and signed artwork at typical consignment prices. Housewares, especially glassware was priced at or just slightly higher than thrift prices. |
| Discounts | Appeared to be seasonal. Check with the store. |
| Location | Marston Park Plaza, 5066 S. Wadsworth Blvd. Suite# 115, Littleton, CO |
| Parking | Lots of free parking in a strip mall setup. |
American Samaritan
This store primarily sells furniture. There are some wall decor items and things like light fixtures. The most interesting thing about it (that I have not ever seen in long years of thrifting) was the quantity of used Pianos on offer!
An elderly piano resides outside of the store, giving a hint of what we will find inside.
Available furniture crossed a wide range of styles, from traditional to very modern. My favorite piece was this curved leather sofa!
There was a good assortment of office furniture here – another thing that can be hard to find.
Pianos! Pianos! Pianos!
Uprights, consoles, baby grands, even something that looked a bit like a Steinway Grand, but it was roped off to protect it.
| Described in a few words … | Pianos! Home and office furniture. Did I mention pianos? |
| Best thing I bought | That lovely curved couch was already Sold when I got there 🙁 |
| Prices | The furniture prices seemed positioned between thrift and consignment. The piano prices seemed VERY reasonable. |
| Discounts | Check with the store |
| Location | 8400 W. Colfax Avenue, Lakewood, CO |
| Parking | Adequate free parking for the size of the store |
ARC Thrift Stores
The thing that is unusual about ARC is the sheer number of them in the Denver area. There are at least 10 stores in town and 40 stores in the metro area. ARC stores are big and carry the full range of typical thrift items. They are well organized and have a well defined system of 50% discounts that make merchandise very affordable if you wait for the Saturday sale. They also have discount days for Seniors and other groups. I intend to visit the original ARC store on South Broadway at some point, so check back to see my update.
More Thrift Store Junkie Articles
Be sure to see other articles in the Thrift Store Junkie series!
- Thrifting in Glenwood Springs, Colorado – with proximity to Aspen
- Thrifting in Oakland and Berkeley, California
- Thrifting in Salt Lake City Utah
- More locations coming soon …
If you are not already enjoying the benefits of Thrifting, be sure to see my article about the Benefits of Thrifting – Top 10 Reasons for Thrift Shopping. You could be finding your own affordable treasures!
