REVIEW | A Guide to Main Street Thrifting

Photo Credit: WHEREE

Summer is upon us, and what better way to spend time with friends than to go thrifting? Fun and accessible for many Hamber students, Main Street is bustling with secondhand stores for all your summer and back-to-school outfit needs. With so many spots to pick from, how are you supposed to choose? Well, there’s no need to stress — because we’ve done the selecting for you! We visited nine thrift stores and vintage shops along Main Street on a mission to find places fit for Hamber students. We reviewed each one based on our own experience. Please note that our ratings were based on one-time trips rather than multiple visits. 

WOO VINTAGE CLOTHING — 7.5/10

Our first stop on the thrift crawl, Woo Vintage Clothing,has a huge variety of unique items, ranging from eye-catching 70s flower rompers to flowy Y2K bohemian tops. They even have a colourful selection of vintage dresses perfect for prom season or cute Halloween outfits. In addition to clothes, Woo Vintage also stocks a lot of whimsical jewelry and accessories, such as waist chains with charms, simple bangles, gem rings, and more. However, despite some pieces being marked as inauthentic or “faux” (Gap, Guess, Bebe, etc.), most clothing prices range from $30–$60, with many coats, handbags, and shoes soaring well past that range. Overall, Woo Vintage Clothingis fantastic if you’re looking for unique, standout additions to your wardrobe that feel like a blast from the past, but only if you don’t mind the expensive prices.

Changing room(s): Woo Vintagehas a somewhat small changing room.

STILL FABULOUS THRIFT SHOP — 8/10

Just a one-minute walk from Woo Vintage, Still Fabulous Thrift Storeis well-curated, spacious, and airy, with a clothing selection ranging from Lululemon workout tanks to vintage leather jackets. In contrast to Woo Vintage, Still Fabulous’ racks are stocked with many modern and recognizable brands such as Nike and Aritzia’s Wilfred line. Still Fabulous doesn’t just have clothes — they also have a bookshelf filled with written works and board games in excellent condition, each for $4. Clothing prices generally range from $15–$30, though shoes are priced significantly higher, with high-value brands sitting at around $150. With its rack of bootcut jeans, wall of assorted patterned ties, and store corner dedicated to vintage pumps, heels, and sneakers, Still Fabulous’ name really does ring true.

Changing rooms: Still Fabuloushas two changing rooms that provide ample space, with mirrors inside.

HOUNDSTOOTH SECOND HAND BOUTIQUE — 6/10

Stroll a few blocks down, and you’ll come face to face with Houndstooth,where the old and new harmonize in an artsy thrift store. Houndstoothhas everything from vintage wedding dresses to graphic tees to a whole shelf of knick-knacks stretching from wall to wall, filled with artisan items like vases, floral telephones, and even skincare sets. They also sell CDs for $2 and vinyl for $10, and employees there are friendly and kind. Though the pieces found here are more aimed towards the 20-and-up crowd rather than teenagers, Houndstoothis still worth checking out for anyone interested in vintage curios. 

Changing rooms: There were no changing rooms at Houndstooth.

CARSON BOOKS & RECORDS – 9/10 

If physical media is more your cup of tea, head over to Carson Books & Records. From titles such as Sarah J. Maas’ Throne of Glass series to the Billie Eilish photobook, this cozy store is filled not just with classics, but with recent bestsellers and limited edition books as well. In terms of music, the store stocks vinyl in a variety of genres, most prominently records from well-known rock bands such as The Smashing Pumpkins, Foo Fighters, The Clash, and more. With tall shelves piled high with novels and bins stuffed with vinyl, Carson Books & Recordshas something for everyone.

MY SISTER’S CLOSET — 6.5/10

My Sister’s Closetis a two-floor, curated secondhand boutique, with all its proceeds going toward Battered Women’s Support Services. The store has a clean and organized interior, and is full of both affordable garments and luxury-brand pieces. In terms of types of clothing, My Sister’s Closethas a wide selection of bags, sweaters, tops, jeans, dresses, interesting jewelry, and shoes. On the first floor, you can find brands such as Bebe, TNA, and more for low prices. Luxury pieces are stocked on the second floor, with items like a Marc Jacobs minibag and Valentino pumps for $40, plus others ranging as high as $150. Although the store offers excellent prices, the overall look of the clothing wasn’t desirable. If you prefer stocking your closet with clothes that prioritize quantity over quality, head to My Sister’s Closetfor some great deals.

Changing rooms: There were two changing rooms at My Sister’s Closet, each with a fair amount of space.

LINES — 2/10

Out of all the thrift stores we visited on our trip, Lineswas by far the most unwelcoming. Upon entering, a thick, cloying scent is immediately noticeable, along with its internal humidity and lack of ventilation. The people running the store seemed a little unhappy with our arrival, with no acknowledgement whatsoever. It’s also good to note that Linesonly takes cash, not debit or credit.

Changing rooms: We aren’t sure if there are changing rooms at Lines or not.

FRONT AND COMPANY — 7.5/10

Less of a thrift store and more of a high-end, curated consignment shop, Front and Companyhas an expansive interior stocked with pieces ranging from everyday athleisure wear to Louis Vuitton sunglasses. This store is notably more similar to a boutique than a typical thrift store, with well-organized racks and a good store layout. They also have a trendy selection of beauty products, as well as jewelry and other accessories. Clothing was on the pricier end of the scale, with roughly $45 being charged per top — but if you’re a fan of name brands like Aritzia’s Babaton and JNCO Jeans, Front and Companyis the perfect shop for you. 

Changing rooms: There is a row of changing rooms at Front and Company.

C’EST LA VIE — 6.7/10

If you’ve ever wanted to go somewhere that has the same ambience as Professor Trelawney’s Divination classroom from the Harry Potter book series, C’est La Vieis the right store for you. The store’s moody, quirky atmosphere sets it apart from the other secondhand stores we visited. With a pink interior and warm lighting, this store stood out because of its bright pieces and racks of fur items. We noticed corsets, leg warmers, rings, sweaters, vests, and more in stock. However, items inside of C’est La Viewere on the pricier side, which made sense because it felt more like a retro or vintage store than a true thrift store.

Changing rooms: C’est La Viehas a few changing rooms, each decorated a little differently.

THE SALVATION ARMY THRIFT STORE — 9/10

Although not on Main Street, The Salvation Armywas where we found the pieces we liked most. This location was fairly clean during our visit, and the women’s tops section was stocked so full that we could hardly look through the racks. It does take a fair amount of time to find good clothes, since clothes from fast-fashion brands such as SHEIN, Ardene, and Zara are scattered throughout the store. However, we did find garments from in-demand brands such as The Wet Seal, Anthropologie, and TNA. The prices at the SalvationArmywere significantly lower, although it should be noted that the clothes sold at this store are donated and not curated, meaning that the quality of items can be lower as well. 

Changing rooms: There were no changing rooms at the Salvation Army.