The thrift stores reviewed below encompass only ones I’ve visited personally in the Pittsburgh-Western Pennsylvania/Cleveland-Eastern Ohio region.

 

 

 

And for more information on particular thrifting and antiquing field trips,  when you’re done with the list below, you might also want to read my past weekly blogs (just click a link) on:

 

 

 

 

It hasn’t been open regularly when I’ve gone down the road to the Antique Emporium, but when it is open, it’s worth a stop. There’s a mix of clothes, household items and collectables. Prices range from very good to a little high, depending on item. Sales benefit the local Humane Society.

 

 

You can get quite a lot of thrifted merchandise for your money here at this Greensburg thrift store. There are two floors, with furniture and books on the bottom, and clothes, housewares, and toys on the top. Note, the store closes at 3pm.

 

•    7221 McKnight Rd, Pittsburgh, PA (412) 635-9612

•    2700 E Carson St, Pittsburgh, PA,  (412) 481-5390

•    3801 William Penn Hwy, Monroeville, PA, (412) 856-9840

•    8755 Norwin Ave, North Huntingdon, PA (724) 864-2980

 

 

Note: The Goodwill in North Versailles closed in May 2007.

 

 

 

I wish I had known about this place when I was right out of college. Every time I see their pretty vintage china and housewares, I think how much less of a cave my first apartment could have been. There’s a little of everything in this shop. And it makes me smile the way, like their antique store distant cousins, they use china cabinets to display their wares. Prices range from inexpensive to a little high as far as thrift stores go. But it’s a nice little adventure.

 

 

 

This store opened in October 2006, and appears to be closed now. If it’s only relocated, and someone knows where it’s moved, I’d appreciating hearing from you.

 

 

 

I still mourn the loss of the Red White & Blue’s Duquesne location, which closed due to expansion of Kennywood Park. It used to be a terrific source for vintage candelabras, china, and interesting prints. But recently I came upon the Red White & Blue in Bellevue, which is a large, busy store with a wide array of stuff. The shoe section and bedding/textile areas were, I thought, particularly impressive. The Red White & Blue on Saw Mill Run (Route 51 S) is awfully good, too, but wow, is it competitive there. It’s jam-packed with stuff, and people, almost any time I’ve gone. The Route 51 store now has a parking lot to the left of its store, which has helped ease the parking problems that used to be a part of shopping here.  It’s still pretty competitive and crowded, however. In summary: great thrift store, just know everyone else seems to think so too-- and will be shopping along with you!

 

 

•    44 S 9th St., Pittsburgh, PA, (412) 481-7900

•    6150 Mountain View Dr., West Mifflin, PA, (412) 466-0216

•    12751 Route 30, North Huntingdon, PA, (724) 863-6116

•    1927 7th Ave., Beaver Falls, PA, (724) 847-1325

 

Salvation Army Thrift Stores seem to vary more in quality by location than Goodwills do. The one in Beaver Falls seems to be undergoing renovation. The West Mifflin location (right above Century III mall in the old Wickes Furniture Store building) is a Superstore, and wow, is it-- very large, huge housewares section and gets some decent furniture in there, too. The one on 9th Street on the South Side is small but on two floors, with the ground floor housing furniture and housewares, and the upstairs dedicated to clothes. The merchandise moves very quickly at this location, so if you see something you think you want, you’d better grab it; it won’t be there later.

    

 

 

The Monroeville location of this thrift store is usually buzzing. Housewares and collectables line the walls, and clothes racks fill the center. I’ve found this place has been particularly good for textiles like curtains, doilies, fabric and tablecloths. Most of the furniture that comes in appears to be 70s cast-offs, but occasionally something worth refurbishing, or less retro, comes in. The one in Jeannette just moved to its Clay Avenue location. It’s a big building and one of its most notable features is there’s a very large furniture section on the second floor. Note, this one closes by 2:00 PM on Saturdays! The one on North Plaza in Apollo moved there in late 2006 and seems to be doing a good business. The one I’d had was out of order. The St. Vincent in Penn Hills stays open until 8:00 PM on Saturdays, which is a nice feature. It’s not as large as some of the stores, but has been worth visiting.