Thrifting is genius for so many reasons– it introduces you to unique items, it saves clothing and housewares from ending up in a landfill – and it’s affordable!
Ever since Macklemore sang about his love of hand-me-downs, finding treasures at your local secondhand store has become a new pastime.
CouponFollow released a study of the best cities in the country for thrifting, and two New Jersey cities made the top 10. The analysis is based on thrift store rank, flea market rank, vintage store rank, affordability and popularity.
Newark ranks No. 1 in New Jersey, and No. 2 on the overall list, coming in just behind NYC! Jersey City is not far behind, ranking eighth in the U.S.
According to the study, which used information from Yelp, Newark has 137 thrift stores, 82 flea markets and 240 vintage/consignment shops – and they are some of the most affordable in the country as well.
According to CouponFollow, thrifting saves Americans $2,000 every year. In fact, 1 in 4 Americans thrift holiday gifts, with Gen Z leading at 34 percent. The study cites finding unique clothes, buying high-end brands at discounted prices, giving back to local communities and small businesses, helping the environment and finding affordable furniture as the top reasons for shopping at thrift stores.
The Top 10 Cities for Thrifting in the U.S., according to CouponFollow are:
- New York, NY
- Newark, NJ
- Los Angeles, CA
- Long Beach, CA
- Oakland, CA
- Arlington, TX
- Irvine, CA
- Jersey City, NJ
- Chicago, IL
- San Bernardino, CA
Here are some popular thrift shops in New Jersey where you can find used clothing, furniture, baby items, housewares and more.
Bergen County
Gingerbread Consignment Shop, 228 Godwin Ave, Midland Park
Hana Mission Thrift Store, A4, 570 Piedmont Rd., Closter
Once Upon A Child, 777 Rte. 17, Paramus
Plum Consignment, 3 Raritan Rd, Oakland
Burlington County
Once Upon A Child, 450 S. Lenola Rd., Maple Shade
Camden County
2A Thrift Superstores
154 Rte. 73, Unit 2A, Voorhees
2110 Rte. 38, Unit 10A, Cherry Hill
7533 S. Crescent Blvd., Pennsauken
Essex County
Hana Mission Thrift Store, 180 Washington Ave., Belleville
Little Treasure Thrift Shop, 2 Maple Ave., Montclair
Once Upon A Child, 137 Rte. 46 W., Fairfield
Plato’s Closet, 137 Rte. 46 W., Fairfield
Save & Rave Consignment Shop, 615 Bloomfield Ave., Bloomfield
Thrift Works, 509 Central Ave., Newark
Gloucester County
Just Between Friends, Total Turf Experience, Pitman
Once Upon A Child, 1450 Clements Bridge Rd., Deptford
Hudson County
Another Man’s Treasure, 195 Montgomery St. and 195 New York Ave. (by appointment), Jersey City
G-Ma’s Thrift Shop, 118 Mallory Ave., Jersey City
Into the Void Antiques & Used Chair Store, 117 Brunswick St., Jersey City
Mint Market, 303 1st St., Hoboken
Pacific Flea, 149 Pacific Ave., Jersey City
Sure Things, 561 Palisade Ave., Jersey City
Hunterdon County
Greene Street, 14 E. Bridge St., Lambertville
Mercer County
2A Thrift Superstore, 1071 Whitehouse-Mercerville Rd., Hamilton Twp.
Greene Street, 162 Nassau St., Princeton
Just Between Friends, Mercer County Skating Center, 1638 Old Trenton Rd., West Windsor
Plato’s Closet, 2495 Brunswick Pike (Rte. 1), Lawrence Twp./Princeton
Middlesex County
Once Upon A Child, 561 Rte. 1, Edison
Monmouth County
Market Street Mission – Jersey Shore, 701 Memorial Dr., Asbury Park
Once Upon A Child, 536 New Friendship Rd., Howell
Plato’s Closet, 1421 Rte. 35 N., Middletown
St. Peter’s Thrift Shop, 49 Throckmorton St., Freehold
Morris County
Market Street Mission – Morris County, 9 Market St., Morristown
Once Upon A Child, 140 Rte. 10 W., Randolph
Plato’s Closet, 1029 Rte. 46, Ledgewood
Passaic County
Hana Mission Thrift Store
239 Lakeview Ave., Clifton
101 Market St., Paterson
Red White & Blue Thrift Store, 25 McLean Blvd., Paterson
Udelco, Inc. Vintage Clothing, 210 6th Ave., Hawthorne
Wayne Council of PTOs Browse N Shop Thrift Store, 1502 Hamburg Tpke., Wayne
Sussex County
Market Street Mission – Sussex County, 274 Spring St., Newton
Union County
Once Upon A Child, 275 Rte. 22 E., Unit A, Springfield (Coming soon)
The Westfield Service League Shops, 114 Elmer St., Westfield
And Goodwill, The Salvation Army and ReStore have locations throughout New Jersey.
Where is your favorite thrift shop located? Email jennifer@njfamily.com and we’ll add it to our list!
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Read More:
Consignment and Thrift Shops in New Jersey
Here’s Where to Support New Jersey’s Small Businesses
Free Things to Do in New Jersey in January