Resale Review: Thrift Avenue

I’ve decided to start a new recurring feature on The Wardrobe Miser, the Resale Review. I’m visiting local thrift stores wherever I happen to be and reporting back on my shopping experience.

For my first review, I visited Thrift Avenue in West Columbia, which supports Pets Inc., the largest no-kill animal shelter in the Midlands. (Just last year, they placed 2200 animals with homes and spayed or neutered over 2500.)

Thrift Avenue has everything from books to clothes to furniture and housewares, and the volunteers keep the store very well-organized, which is nice from a shopper’s perspective. For this review, I’m focusing on the clothes. They have a good variety of sizes and a section for designer and brand name clothing. Most of what I saw was dressier clothing, though I also saw some contemporary jeans and t-shirts.

Where this store really shines is in their formal wear. They have some really nice evening and cocktail dresses, not just leftover bridesmaid dresses like I’ve seen in some thrift stores. (There was one gorgeous green and gold number I may regret not buying.) Chances are you’ll be able to find some shoes to go with that dress. I was really impressed by the selection and quality of the footwear. Brides on a budget, take note: they also have some absolutely beautiful wedding dresses.

Prices are comparable with other charity thrift stores, and by shopping at Thrift Avenue you know you’re helping animals stay out of the pound and find good homes. Two of my cats are from Pets Inc., and I take their purring as I write this to mean that they heartily endorse this store.