If you're a thrifting junkie who loves the thrill of finding something you weren't even looking for, thrift shopping in Sun City and the West Valley should be at the top of your list. You are always guaranteed to find vintage clothing and furniture to home décor, books, collectibles and those wonderfully random things you can't find anywhere else, you never quite know what you'll discover in this part of town. Whether you're a longtime thrifter or just getting started, here's how to make the most of thrift shopping around Sun City, Peoria and the West Valley.
Why Thrift Shopping in Sun City Is Worth Exploring
Sun City is a predominantly 55+ area, but it is surrounded by other West Valley cities such as Surprise, Peoria, Glendale and El Mirage. Having such a diverse community around its perimeter means that when you walk into any thrift store you will find a diverse selection of items from every decade, you'll find stores carrying everything from clothing and household goods to furniture, books, collectibles and home décor. The best part is that every store is different. If you find yourself empty handed today in one particular thrift shop, if might have exactly what you're looking for the next week. Thrift store inventory changes constantly almost daily is most thrift stores, so don't give up after one visit.
7 Tips for Better Thrift Shopping
1. Don't Shop With Tunnel Vision
You might be on a mission looking for a nightstand when entering the thrift store today but take a slow walk through the store and browse the rest of the sections along the way, because you never know what you miss out on along the way. There's nothing wrong with having an idea of what you need but keep your eyes open, some of the best thrift finds are the things you weren't looking for.
2. Don't Skip Home Décor
If you only browse the clothing racks, you're missing a huge part of thrift shopping. That piece of clothing might only get work here and there, but that brass candle stick you accidentally fell in love with that day, and brough home will look back at you every time you pass your shelf. Look for: Lamps, Mirrors, Artwork, Vases, Baskets, Picture frames, Vintage glassware, Books, Small furniture, and Unique decorative pieces.
3. Look for Quality, Not Just Brands
We all get excited when we find a higher end brand that is known for its quality materials at the thrift store. But, it's important to not overlook items just because they aren't a brand you know of. You know what they say " Don't judge a book by its cover" well in this case, don't judge an article of clothing based on its brand tag. Many brands go undetected but have 100% linen, silk, leather or cotton fabric. Don't dismiss an item just because you don't recognize the name tag, feel the item and check its care tag to see if it's worth pick up or passing on. For clothing, pay attention to the fabric, stitching, buttons, zippers and overall construction. For furniture, look for solid construction and good bones. Train your eyes and hands to recognize quality instead of relying entirely on a brand name.
4. Check Everything Before You Buy
While thrift stores try to inspect items before putting them on the sales floor, things can slip through the cracks. Make sure you give clothing a quick and thorough inspection for stains, holes, odors and broken zippers. If possible, also look at them near a window as store lighting can make it more difficult to spot stains. For furniture, if you can check underneath and behind the piece for damage or missing parts. For electronics, plug them in and start pressing the buttons to test that all its functions properly. And if you're buying a game or puzzle, check that the important pieces are there. A few extra seconds can save you from bringing home something you didn't actually want.
5. Don't Ignore the Weird Stuff
Some of the most interesting thrift finds are the things that make you stop and think: “What even is this?” Vintage advertising, unusual artwork, old kitchen gadgets, quirky décor, collectibles and strange little objects can all be worth a closer look. If something catches your eye, pick it up. You can always research it later.
6. Go Back Often
Let me let you in on one of the biggest secrets of all time. The inventory is always changing, DAILY as a matter of fact! If "fear or missing out" were to apply anywhere, it's at a thrift store. New donations come in every day, items sell and different treasures take their place on the sales floor. If you didn't find anything the first time you went in, don't write off the store just off that one visit. Give it one, or two or three more chances until you get a better idea of the type of inventory you are to find at that specific location.
7. Give Yourself Time
Don't rush, slow down, enjoy the moment and look at everything, twice if you have the time. The best finds aren't necessarily sitting right in front of you. Look through the racks. Check the shelves. Look behind and under things and keep and open mind as you spot and item. Ask yourself "could this item be used for anything else in my home other than its intended purpose?" A decanter can be your new mouthwash holder, a round pendant light can be a new plant holder, and so on.
What Should You Look For?
Every visit to a thrift store might have a different objective or it might be totally random. Here are some categories worth exploring around Sun City and the West Valley when you go to the thrift store:
Clothing: Look for quality fabrics, vintage pieces, interesting cuts, name brands and clothing that's simply in great condition.
Furniture: This is where you can get quality furniture that still have decades left of life to live, things like end tables, chairs, dressers, desks, shelving and accent pieces can all be great secondhand finds.
Home Décor: Great bargains on lamps, artwork, mirrors, pottery, baskets, glassware and decorative pieces are always worth browsing.
Books & Collectibles: You never know what might be hiding on a bookshelf or tucked into a display case.
Kitchenware: Dishes, serving pieces, glassware, cookware and vintage kitchen items can be both useful and fun to collect.
Make a Sun City Thrift Shopping Day Out of It
If you're planning a dedicated thrift-shopping day, W. Bell Rd is a good area to explore, with several established thrift stores in the Sun City area. You can browse a few different shops, grab lunch or coffee, and make a day of it. You can easily bounce from Sun City. Peoria, Sun City West, Surprise and other parts of the West Valley and explore different secondhand and resale shops all in one day. The fun is seeing what each store has to offer because no two stores will be the same.
A New Thrift Store Is Coming to 107th Ave & Union Hills
And there's a new addition coming to the neighborhood. Ruby Thrift is opening at 107th Ave & Union Hills, and we're excited to become part of the Sun City, Peoria and Surprise community. We're a small family-run business being built from the ground up by a husband, wife, and toddler team. We're creating Ruby Thrift because we love the idea that good things don't have to be new to be special. A vintage dress can become someone's favorite outfit. A piece of furniture can become part of a new home. A set of dishes can become part of a family celebration. And something that's been sitting unused in someone's home can become exactly what someone else has been searching for. That's what Ruby Thrift is about. Good Things Find New Homes. We're looking forward to becoming another stop on your West Valley thrift-shopping adventures.
Ready to Go Thrifting?
A little patience, an open mind and enough room in the car will set you up for a sucessfull day, and a rewarding payoff. You never know what you'll find. And that's exactly why we love thrift shopping.