Charlie

Secondhand Love

Some were born with the gene to thrift.

And power to them. They get big, gold stars in the economic and environmental categories.

Meanwhile, you’re still a bit confused as to how anyone can find anything in one of those stores.

Years of shame are over. The official CHARLIE guide to secondhand love is here:

Community Thrift

Best for: Everything under the sun.
With over 2,500 new items delivered daily, this place is an oasis for everything secondhand. Need a bike? Check. Delightful bedroom set? Yep. Wedding dress? You get the picture. From sports equipment, electronics and housewares to all the random trinkets you could desire, this mega store is a one stop shop for all things thrift. Aside from its diversity, the majority of the store is filled with racks upon racks of men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, always filled with good finds. Some digging will be required.
Check them out:
5300 Rivers Ave.
N. Charleston, SC 29406
(843) 554-3733

Love Me Again

Best For: Name brand denim, unique accessories and the beginner thrifter.
Splashed with jolts of hot pink and tin foil covered walls, Love Me Again isn’t your typical, musty, secondhand store. Owned by former Chicago vintage store proprietor Jenny Nelson, the clothing exchange is immaculately merchandised with gorgeous accessories, handbags, men’s, women’s and children’s apparel. Find beautiful cocktail dresses and blouses interspersed with sharp tweed jackets and kid’s rompers. Don’t miss the stacks of perfectly worn name brand denim or the “Harder to Love” room, featuring sale items priced at $2.
Check them out:
183 Coming St.
Charleston, SC 29403
Phone: (843) 475-5123

The Trunk Show

Best For: Designer wear. That’s all you need to know.
By far CHARLIE’s top pick for where to go when your style craves the designer touch but your budget thinks better. Still a little pricey – think Chanel suits still retailing for over $2K – but if designer is what you desire, there’s no better stop than this fine consignment shop. There is also a nice selection of men’s designer wear tucked into the back room, conveniently located next to the $10 rack of women’s clothes. Best of all, the store offers additional discounts on clothing Fridays and Saturdays.
Check them out:
281 Meeting Street
Charleston, SC 29401
(843) 722-0442

Albert’s Attic

Best for: Furniture and those who don’t want to shop.
At first glance, Albert’s Attic was less than something to write home about, full of hobby hazards (i.e. stacks of Avon cosmetics). Upon chatting with the staff however, we discovered their trick. Albert’s specializes in custom buying discount furniture for you based on the your personal wants, and get this – doesn’t require you to take home the finds. Simply take a look, then take it or leave it. If this isn’t good enough, they also host a 30% off warehouse sale every Saturday in Walterboro where you can get these custom finds at an even deeper discount.
Check them out:
1797 Main Road
Johns Island, SC 29455
(843) 559-5008
823 St. Andrews Blvd.
Charleston, SC 29407
(843) 225-0001
Walterboro Sales: (843) 549-9221

Recycled Cowboy

Best For: Costume party garb and petticoats aplenty
Worth the drive past N. Charleston to Ladson…kind of like Charleston’s version of Queens. Head straight back for racks of vintage Western apparel and the piece de la resistance – an entire room devoted to square dance duds for all cowgirls and boys. Those fluffy trashbags on the floor? Peek inside for a rainbow of petticoats. Go ahead, let your inner Loretta Lyrnn shine while saving your Hocus Pocus dollars.
Check them out:
181 College Park Rd.
Ladson, SC 29456
(843) 569-7573

Final Tips

For the advanced thrifter: Check out garbage pick up schedules towards the end of the month, especially in swankier ‘hoods. No, we’re not kidding. Often those moving and looking to get rid of great furniture grow tired and simply throw it on the curb. Turn a drive on a boring Sunday into a great loot expedition.

For the beginner thrifter: A seasoned guide to no-no’s and where to start:

1) Never ever buy anything that can’t be washed, bleached, hosed, disinfected or cleaned in some similar fashion.

2) Anything that you wouldn’t borrow from a friend needn’t be bought from a stranger. See underwear, swim articles, linens, etc.

3) Toe the line with shoes: If a pair seems relatively unworn, go for it. Beware of well worn soles no matter how delightful.

4) Ease your way into the thrifting world by taking a look at Consignment shops, well merchandised Clothing Exchanges and off priced resources like T.J. Maxx. It will give you a feel for rummaging and a thrill from saving loads of cash.

5) Even thrift stores have sales. At the end of the season these guys practically pay you to take unsold items.

6) Remember that everything is negotiable. Check furniture for nicks and tears. If it’s noticeable, ask for a discounted price slightly below what you want to pay, then reach an agreement from there.

Thrift it up. Enjoy your big, gold stars.

Story by: Caroline Millard and Karen Briggs
Photos by: Wendy Mogul