To the average shopper, thrift stores can feel intimidating, the walls of ugly sweaters and buckets of books can feel disorganized and chaotic. They, however, are mistaken - thrift shopping is an adventure. Thrift shopping has always been about the thrill of the chase, and it is no more prevalent than it is at the Georgia Avenue Thrift Store in Northwest D.C.
The Georgia Avenue Thrift Store is stuffed to the gills with funky clothes and housewares. Arranged in aisles by clothing type, the store is small but lively. When visiting, expect small aisles, lots of people and tons of great finds. Despite a seemingly endless amount of goods to sort through and crowded aisles, the Georgia Avenue Thrift Store is incredibly organized and full of great bargains.
Clothes are organized by type and then further organized by color. Housewares are toward the back of the store, but are just as well organized as the clothing. There is an extensive collection of curtains, tablecloths, vases and other random necessities that have been meticulously organized available for perusing.
The clothing available is incredibly varied, ranging from The Limited, Ralph Lauren and Zara to patchy, hand-knit sweaters. There are even a few vintage prom dresses thrown in the mix, hidden behind the floor length, floral sacks the ‘90s loved. Funky t-shirts of any color, depicting old cartoons and random one hit wonders are another staple of the store. And of course, the ever elusive perfect flannel is waiting to be picked up from racks and racks of button ups.
A hidden gem, the Georgia Avenue Thrift Store sells VHS tapes starting at $1. Whether it be classic Disney films or cheesy rom-coms, there is a seemingly endless supply. There is also a large collection of books, old and new, to fulfill the bibliophile that lives in everyone.
One of the best parts of thrift shopping is the deals waiting to be found. Despite some brand name items being up-marked, finds start at $1.48. Better yet, each item is marked by a colored tag. Depending on the day, different tags have discounts associated with them. For example, yellow tags may be 40 percent off on Wednesdays, but on Thursdays red tags may be 60 percent off. Looking for these heightened discounts only accentuates the thrill of finding a great deal.
Whether looking for a Halloween costume, a themed party dress or just a rad t-shirt, the Georgia Avenue Thrift Store is full of great and affordable options. Aptly named, as it is located on 1601 Georgia Avenue NW, the store is open 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays and is always accepting donations.
Address: 1601 Georgia Avenue NW
Metro Stop: Georgia Ave Petworth Station, Green/Yellow Line
