With nowhere to go during the pandemic, I started a new Instagram account to post my outfit of the day. Buying secondhand was an affordable way to play around with clothing, and thrifting became my hobby. After weekly trips to pick up a $20 sweater here and a $10 skirt there, I now have more clothes than one body could ever wear. But I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the volume of vintage and thrift stores in the Twin Cities.
I’m highlighting vintage stores specifically in this list. If you don’t want to irk the person selling you a distressed “The Cure” tee, just know that there’s an art to selling vintage. You’re paying a premium for someone to dig through the Goodwill bins or Salvation Army rack. Vintage sellers have their own tastes, store aesthetic, and even special relationships with vendors for hard-to-find items. A “vintage” item usually means it’s at least 20 years old, so adjust your expectations for wear and tear accordingly. The Twin Cities are fashionable and eco-conscious, and vintage stores are where it all converges.
Love Token
3950 Lyndale Ave S, Minneapolis
Hours: Fri 12 - 6 p.m., Sat - Sun 12 - 5 p.m.
This shop is for people who understand that grandmas know what they’re doing with home decor. From the collectible kitten plates to the dresser bursting with jewelry, Love Token is what kitschy dreams are made of. The clothes pricing is among the fairest of most vintage stores I’ve visited. You can also find upcycled clothing and tons of prints, stickers, and jewelry from other small businesses.
Pro-tip: Don’t miss out on the earrings. Owner Laura Reiger upcycles bits and bobs into jewelry, so every piece is unique!
Time Bomb Vintage
3543 E Lake St, Minneapolis
Hours: Mon. - Sun. 12 - 6 p.m.
Visiting Time Bomb is like cracking open the garage of your coolest, quirkiest uncle. They have a great selection of truly vintage clothes, but also toys, records, CDs, comic books, and memorabilia. Shopping for a sports fan, or someone who’s really into that one cult classic movie? You might be able to find some rare or deadstock merch at Time Bomb.
b. Resale
2613 Nicollet Ave, Minneapolis
Tues. - Fri. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
Sat. - Sun. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
A long-time anchor of the Whittier neighborhood, Lizzo probably shopped at b. Resale. It’s not strictly vintage, which means you can find more modern styles at a very reasonable price. They operate on a buy-sell-trade model, meaning their stock comes from people selling their own clothing to the store. In exchange, sellers are offered cash or a larger amount of store credit. Not to pat myself on the back, but they have very fashionable sellers.
Pro-tip: Follow their Instagram, where staff post their newest and coolest acquisitions. You can purchase by simply commenting on the post and then sending money via PayPal. Items from expensive brands go fast though, so don’t be surprised if someone beats you by a few seconds.
Moth Oddities
13 5th St NE, Minneapolis
Mon. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m., Wed. - Sun. 11 a.m. - 6 p.m.
This is fashion for the outdoorsy-type. Here you can find rows of cowboy boots, built-to-last Carhartt, and fall-ready flannels. Moth Oddities makes the list for their commitment to the vintage reselling community. They regularly host markets in the parking lot behind the store, where you can discover smaller sellers without a brick-and-mortar.
Pro-tip: They buy straight from Italy, which is my gold star for vintage clothing. The material and construction are divine, and there’s lots of airy cotton tops and dresses for summer romping.
Mall of St. Paul
Tues. - Sun. 11 a.m. - 7 p.m.
1817 Selby Ave, St Paul
From my experience, St. Paul is where you go for a real bargain on secondhand items. If you go to the Mall, get your body and mind ready. It’s a two-level antique store, absolutely stuffed with weird dolls, family photos of people not your family, and the like. If you’re looking to make a day of shopping, you’ll find this shop fills out the whole itinerary.
Pro-tip: There are multiple vendors in the mall, so take heed of whose territory you’re shopping in so you can check out accordingly.
Honorable Mentions
Style Society in St. Paul’s West 7th neighborhood. (Tiffany Bui / City Cast Twin Cities)
If you’re like me, one store a day isn’t enough browsing. Thankfully, there are blocks and neighborhoods lined with vintage stores in the Twin Cities. Bonus points for walkability, so grab a coffee and a friend!
Lyndale Ave. S in the Wedge
In one block on Lyndale Avenue, there are four excellent vintage stores: Leisure World, Clubhouse Market, Final Stop, and The Color Blue. The first three are a sure bet for more masculine clothing and T-shirts. I like The Color Blue if I need a dress for a party or special occasion.
West 7th in St. Paul
This neighborhood may be afflicted with some “hipsterification,” but I hope neighbors will forgive this – for it’s yielded an abundance of vintage stores. The main drag of 7th Street is home to Go Vintage, Daily Dose Retro, Shop Country Club Vintage, and Center for Lost Objects. A 20 minute walk away from this cluster is Style Society, perfect for home decor to fill that weird empty spot on your wall or in your living room. It’s also right next door to Claddagh Coffee.
