Alive & Fine; Photo by Olivia Patel
Your Guide to Thrift and Vintage Stores in Milwaukee
Find your next hidden gem at one of these 12 local shops.
BY Olivia Patel
Avid thrifters know that the thrifting experience isn’t just about shopping – it’s about the hunt. Sometimes half the fun is sifting through seemingly endless racks of donated clothes at a Goodwill, while there’s also a charm to stepping inside an expertly-curated vintage shop dedicated to the best thrift finds. Whether you are more about the journey or the destination, this guide, sorted alphabetically, has options for all types of thrift shops around Milwaukee:
Alive and Fine
2652 S. KINNICKINNIC AVE. | $$
You’ll find quirky pieces of all sorts at Alive and Fine in Bay View, along with vintage from the ’50s, ’60s, ’70s and ’80s. The brick-and-mortar opened in 2016 after owner Ashley Smith hosted a series of successful pop-up shops and started selling vintage online. Alive and Fine promotes sales and events through its Instagram page, @aliveandfinestore.
All Goods
1411 S. 72ND ST., WEST ALLIS; BAYSHORE | $$$
All Goods promises one-of-a-kind finds for graphic tees and streetwear. All of the items sold by owner Ali Acevedo sport a throwback feeling, with shirts and jerseys representing different Milwaukee and national sports teams as well as graphics tees with ties to pop culture in the ’80s and ’90s.
Bandit MKE
1224 E. BRADY ST. | $$$
Bandit MKE offers a boutique feeling to shoppers looking for vintage and second-hand items. The store opened on Brady Street after years of successful pop-up events around the Midwest. Shoppers can bring items they no longer wear and receive cash for their donations if Bandit MKE likes them for its collection. The store also offers an online collection through its website, but try not to skip out on a trip to the shop – the vibrant interior draws shoppers in with the colorful window display.
Goodwill, Upper East Side
2830 N. OAKLAND AVE. | $
It would be impossible to create a thrifting guide in Milwaukee without including at least one Goodwill, and this is a great one. This Goodwill, located on Oakland Avenue, doesn’t disappoint in the clothing department. From vintage Nike to barely-worn name brand pieces, it’s hard to walk into this location and not walk out with at least a few really good finds.
Goodwill’s Retique
190 N. BROADWAY ST. | $$
This Third Ward shop brings a boutique vibe to the Goodwill experience. The second-hand items at Retique have been curated to deliver the best items on its racks. If you are a fan of the hunt that comes with thrifting, Retique makes it all too easy, hence its higher prices. But if you are simply looking for a solid deal without sacrificing quality, this is the shop for you.
Plato’s Closet
5020 S. 74TH ST. AND 16750 W. BLUEMOUND ROAD | $$
Targeted towards teens and young adults, Plato’s Closet offers shoppers well-known brands like Lululemon, H&M, Zara and more at affordable prices. Plato’s Closet employees sift through donations and only put styles on the rack they believe will be popular with the store’s younger buyers. Unlike most generic thrifts, Plato’s Closet employees will pay donors for unwanted clothing items, depending on their quality.
Plume
3001 S. KINNICKINNIC AVE. | $$$
Also on Kinnickinnic Avenue, Plume is a thrift store housing more than just clothing. Right under The Nest, Plume’s creatively-decorated upstairs showroom and event space, the shop is home to carefully curated vintage and modern goods – there is something for everyone. All vintage items are modeled on Plume’s Etsy site, where buyers can explore hundreds of designs and prices. Check out its Instagram page @plume_vtg for a layout of the collection’s highlights.
Rethreads
1920 E. CAPITOL DRIVE | $$$
This upscale thrift option offers the best deals for gently used items from more high-end designers like Madewell, Zara, J-Crew, Jimmy Choo, Tory Burch and more. Rethread’s carefully curated collection offers in-demand products that align with current trends for a bargain price.
Salvation Army Family Store and Donation Center
7713 W. GREENFIELD AVE. | $
Described as a destination for true, committed thrift lovers, The Salvation Army Family Store and Donation Center in West Allis is said to have everything a thrifter could be looking for – for very low prices. One of the highlights of this store is the furniture selection. With a similar feeling as Goodwill and Value Village, this thrift is a classic staple if you are willing to dig through many racks of clothing and appliances.
Sole Salvation
1693 N. HUMBOLDT AVE. | $$
Another Brady Street thrifting destination, Sole Salvation, offers unique items, including popular brands like Coach and Calvin Klein. Owner Rochelle Nelson is applauded on her Facebook page for the store’s tasteful layout and her attentiveness to her customers’ needs.
SuperThrift
5333 N. 91ST ST. | $
SuperThrift is exactly as the name implies: a super thrift in both size, quality and mission. SuperThrift is the only thrift store in Wisconsin that is run entirely by people in recovery and it supports a local addiction treatment called The Great Lakes Adult & Teen Challenge. This well-organized thrift store occupies a large space and is filled with home decor, clothing, appliances and more, and accepts donations both at the store or any of the dropbox locations.
Value Village
729 S. LAYTON BLVD. | $
Value Village is all about the joy of the hunt. You’ll find an abundance of second-hand items, from dishware to antiques clocks to the perfect pair of shoes. Walking into a thrift store that is packed can be overwhelming and Value Village knows that, which is why its website is full of guides for finding just what you need. The website includes models of what to do with the stuff you get, like how to style the perfect summer brunch table with things you find at Value Village.