11 Most Unique & Unusual Thrift Stores We've Ever Seen

There are multiple benefits of thrifting home goods. For starters, checking secondhand stores can save you money on your home renovation. But, more than that, you get a chance to own pieces that are built to last and tell a story. Bonus advantage: Your actions will ensure fewer pieces end up in landfills and put less burden on natural resources. However, if you're a thrifter through and through, you've probably checked out all the second-chance stores in your immediate vicinity multiple times. And unless they keep updating their inventory regularly, you might be having difficulty finding new items to add to your collection. An easy solution is to cast a wider net and start frequenting stores you haven't been to yet.

That being said, don't just go to any store or stick to branches of the same store (looking at you, Goodwill) if you're serious about diversification. Instead, ask around in your thrifting groups and reach out to family and friends for unique recommendations. You might even find a few hidden gems via social media. To help you out, we've compiled a list of the 11 most unusual thrift stores we've ever seen in the U.S. All of them sell home goods, have been around for at least a couple of years now, and are distinct in their own way.

The Paradise Galleria in the Ohio City neighborhood of Cleveland is a funky thrift store that offers an immersive experience. Drawing inspiration from colorful Barbie sets as well as fantastical aspects featured in storybooks, movies, and '80s or '90s malls, the place is known for its one-of-a-kind decor. To illustrate, you'll be greeted by a huge, pink pegasus statue and a large heart-shaped jacuzzi ball pit as soon as you enter the store. There's also a refrigerator masquerading as a door in the kitchen area, a slide to take you to the basement, and a Y2K bedroom. Although its decor is a major attraction, you can visit the store between Tuesday and Sunday to browse locally sourced vintage goods.

Hoping to donate a few things after decluttering your home? You might be able to sell them for cash if you reside in Las Vegas. Located in the Arts District, the Republic Goods thrift store allows people to rent a booth for about $35 to display their belongings for a week. The shop houses more than 70 booths at any given time, remains open seven days a week, and adds new items to its inventory daily.

Hidden within the basement of All Saints Episcopal Church since 1974, the Mustard Seed Thrift Shop & Book Nook operates in the Woodstock area of Portland. Run mostly by volunteers, it's known for its budget-friendly, flat pricing across categories of items. You'll discover household and kitchenware, lamps, decor, crafting items, and a wide selection of books here. However, the store is open only on Wednesdays between 2 and 7 p.m., and Thursdays and Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Housing over 600 dealer booths under a single roof, the Ohio Valley Antique Mall is the largest antique store in the Cincinnati area and is spread over 85,000 square feet. As such, you can expect to find a good collection of antique, vintage, and collectible goods at this multi-dealer mall located in Fairfield, Ohio. Open seven days a week from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., the store also has an in-house café, a customer lounge area featuring a widescreen TV, and a personal shopper (Karen will help you free of charge) should you need one.

Although much smaller than the Ohio Valley Antique Mall, the Grand Antique Mall spans 27,000 square feet and is renowned for selling a wide range of furniture from different periods. So, if you have a list of mid-century furniture brands you like to look for when thrifting before trying resellers, chances are you'll find something here. Even if you don't end up buying second-hand furniture from this mall in Reading, Ohio, you can explore its collection of valuable china, silver, pottery, paintings, and a few other rare items. Moreover, the mall opens seven days a week and adds new items to its stock every day.

If you've ever been curious about the kinds of home goods people carry in their suitcase, you might want to visit Unclaimed Baggage in Scottsboro, Alabama. It has agreements with every domestic airline and multiple transport companies, and purchases lost luggage directly from them. Once the shop receives a suitcase or bag, the team goes through the items within and determines whether they should be sold, donated, or recycled. With over 50 years in business, the store is open from Monday to Saturday and has a museum (it's within the shop) dedicated to the most unusual finds.

The City Opera Thrift Shop is a high-end store famous for offering quality items, including furniture and art pieces. But this isn't what makes it unique. It found a spot on our list because it's the only store in New York City that supports an arts organization — the New York City Opera — and has been doing so for the past 40 years. Although it supports a good cause, a few visitors believe that the prices here are a bit high. In case you want to pay a visit, the store is open every weekday.

The Bomb Shelter is a little time capsule of Akron, Ohio, that houses salvaged items from nearby neighborhoods — in fact, the majority of items were found within 10 miles. As a result, you can expect to see items from the '50s, '60s, and '70s that pay homage to the industrial might of the city. While you'll find the usual fare of assorted furniture and tools here, you'll also lay eyes on some unusual items, such as old military uniforms and Civil Defense supplies. 

There are a few vintage brands that are always worth buying at thrift stores. But it can be tiring to hunt them down across different shops and online sites. So, if you reside in Nashville, you might want to check out GasLamp Antiques. It's the largest antique store for home goods in the city and has two stores on the same street, commanding over 300 booths together. They open weekdays and sell decor belonging to the Art Deco, Hollywood Regency, MCM, and primitive eras.

Sometimes, a thrift store is unique not because of what it offers, but because of its history. The Franklin Antique Mall in Franklin, Tennessee, belongs in this category. The 44-year-old shop is housed within the old Franklin Ice House, which used to be a flour mill. That doesn't mean it's small; the shop is spread over 12,000 square feet and has several local awards to its name. It's open for business every day of the week, and the owners claim to hold the largest collection of distinct items you'll find in Franklin or the greater Nashville area.

In case you want to spice up your thrifting routine, you can try out online platforms, like Whatnot. The live-stream site provides a fun and interactive way of buying secondhand goods, allowing you to bid on items you like in real time. You can either stay on the "For You" page and watch live shows or go to the "Categories" section to look for specific items you want. It's a community-driven platform, and the ability to see the items via livestreams could make it somewhat easier to authenticate your latest thrifting find.