Underrated thrift stores with awesome finds around Metro Vancouver
Thrift stores in Metro Vancouver used to be the secret to scoring $3 tees and racks of size-inclusive jeans. But lately? It’s a different game.
As trendy vintage boutiques take over, many shoppers are asking: Where did all the affordable thrifting go? And they’re not alone, according to Karrot’s 2024 Second-Hand Sentiment Survey, 84 per cent of Canadians say saving money is the biggest reason they buy secondhand, and a growing number are turning to thrift out of necessity, not just style.
We asked around (and peeked social media) to bring you six underrated thrift stores that Metro Vancouverites swear by:
Delta Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Store (Ladner)
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“This is the best in Metro Vancouver,” said one thrifter on Reddit. “They haven’t raised their prices like all the others.” Expect genuinely affordable clothes, housewares, and seasonal goods in a well-kept shop.
Location: 4816 Delta St., Delta
Chinatown Vintage (Chinatown)
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You might miss it if you’re not looking, but it’s worth finding. Tidy racks, solid rotation, and a reputation for reasonable prices, especially compared to trendier Main Street haunts.
Location: 131 E. Pender St., Vancouver
The HOB Thrift Boutique (Kerrisdale)
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For folks looking for luxe on a budget, The HOB carries designer donations in near-mint condition. All profits support hospice care.
Location: 2236 W. 41st Ave., Vancouver
Miscellany Finds (East Vancouver)
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Social enterprise vibes with real heart. While smaller, Miscellany Finds carries inclusive sizing and supports youth and women-led programs.
Location: 1029 Commercial Dr., Vancouver
BC SPCA Thrift Stores (various)
Supporting rescue animals while you thrift? Yes, please. These small but mighty stores are scattered across the Lower Mainland, and many carry gently used clothing, books, kitchenware, and sometimes vintage steals.
Location: Multiple locations around Metro Vancouver
Talize Thrift (Delta)
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Imagine Value Village’s cousin, but with better organization and deals. This place is massive, and the plus-size section is legit. Look out for colour tag discount days for even more savings.
Location: 11930 88th Ave., Delta
Seva Thrift Store (Newton, Surrey)
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Proudly South Asian-owned, this vibrant shop offers an eclectic mix of retro fashion, modern basics, and bold accessories, with a standout selection of Indian wedding wear for men, women, and children.
You’ll find sherwanis, lehengas, and kurta sets resplendent with intricate embroidery and colour, perfect for weddings or festive occasions on a budget.
Location: 12877 76th Ave. #108, Surrey
It’s okay to be nostalgic for the thrift scene of the 2000s, when you could spend $20 and leave with a whole new look.
The good news? If you’re willing to leave Vancouver proper, you might still find it.
Your dream thrift store, affordable, size-inclusive, and unpretentious, might just be one SkyTrain and bus transfer away.
Got a secret spot? Let us know in the comments below.
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