A tour of one of my favorite thrift stores–Value Village

When I first started showing you all the things I was finding at Value Village, many of you commented that you had never heard of them. 

First Value Village is a nationwide company.  In some states they are called Savers.  They work with the American Kidney Foundation (or at least my store does.)

So for those of you that might like to see more about this great thrift store, I thought you might want a peek inside.  I took some pictures on a recent trip there and thought I might show you around.

The first thing I do when I come in the door (after greeting the cashiers which pretty much know be my name!) is to take a glance at their sale board.

Each week they have TWO colors on sale for 50% off.  So I make sure to check that board and keep my eye out for those colors.

Then I usually check behind the counter.  They have an area up front where they keep nicer things, jewelry, brand names items and such. 

To one side of this area, they put all the “nicer” items that are included in the  50% that week.  Love that!

Lots of nice jewelry and at good prices.

Then comes the clothes!  And this store is HUGE!  Probably twice the size of the Goodwill stores in my area.

A huge wall of purses.

Tons of clothes!

More women’s clothes.  They price their clothes individually.  So no paying the same price for a brand name t-shirt vs. a worded shirt.  No, they price them according to condition and type of clothes.  And their prices are much lower than my Goodwill.

At Goodwill in my area, shirts and skirts are $4.94 – across the board and dresses are $5.96.  At Value Village clothes range from $1.91 – $6.96.  I rarely see anything priced over $5 unless it is a very nice dress/formal/jacket or something like that.

Here’s some examples of clothes I have bought at Value Village:

skirt – $3.29

scarf – $1.99

scarf – $0.69

vest – $4.29 but half off so $2.15

2 scarves – $1.99 each

I love this long aisle of linens.  I have bought several things from there – a white blanket, a sheet I plan to use in a project.

Sort of kicking myself for not buying this that day but I don’t really have a room I could use it in.  A Pottery Barn full comforter for $6.99 and it was in great condition!

Then there is their household section. 

Frames…

Table linens…

I have picked up quite a few things from there as well.  Love their prices! 

$0.49 napkins

and $0.69 placemats – pretty much their normal prices.

Pillows.

Toys and stuffed animals

And games!  I always browse this section.  If you follow my Friday Frugal Finds post you know that I pick up games here all the time usually $1.81 and less. 

Baskets and other household items.

And they have a section where they have larger items – sometimes even furniture.

Anyone need a sports bottle??

Lamps and light fixtures.  This is where I found my matching brass lamps for $3.03 each.  I love them now spray painted and finished in my house.

I also love to check out their scarf section.  I really got into wearing scarfs last year.  I think I started the winter with 1 scarf and ended up with about TEN at the end of the winter!  All picked up at yard sales or Value Village.

Here are some other things I have bought there in the last few months:

• Large picture frame – marked down to $2.42
• Large frame – $1.21.  Love this – the frame is already the perfect color and I think I will keep the linen type matte edge the same too!  Great deal for $1.21
• Heart wreath – $2.02
• Balderdash game – marked down to $1.21
• Dockers gray bermuda shorts – $3.29 BUT was the half price color so only $1.65 – woohoo!

• 3 games for $1.81 each
• a pair of shorts 1/2 off (but they didn’t fit so I need to exchange them.)
• and 2 pillows 1/2 off for 49¢ each 

• Balderdash game – 60¢
• Taboo game – $1.91
• Scarf – 49¢

And the one last thing I love about Value Village.  Each month on the last Wednesday of the month they put almost their whole store on sale for 50% off!  All the clothes, linens, and pillows are 50% off!  The store is usually a bit crazy that day but worth it! 

So check and see if you have a Value Village or Savers store around and do some shopping!  And then let me know what you find!

Are you a regular Value Village or Savers shopper?    Do you prefer them over Goodwill?

{cj}