Photo by Trip Burns
Thrifting is my favorite pastime. Some of my most loved wardrobe pieces came from consignment shops or even the nickel bin in a warehouse somewhere. Here is a short list of my go-to places and my honest opinion about each one.
If you feel like digging for that jewel in the rough or just want to browse, these thrifty places have tons of selection for clothes.
Orange Peel (422 E. Mitchell Ave., 601-364-9977): This cute old house is stocked full of consignment options plus a furniture barn out back.
N.U.T.S. (114 Millsaps Ave., 601-355-6276; 3011 N. State St., 601-366-9633; 117 Wesley Ave., 601-355-7458): Make sure to check out the Midtown location's sales on Fridays and Saturdays. You can get the most bang for your buck in the dig bins in the back of the warehouse.
Silly Billy's Consignment Shop (534 E. Mitchell 601-672-6693): Great atmosphere and fun workers, plus a downstairs area with an amazing selection of period pieces, make this the go-to spot for any theme or costume party (or if you want that perfect Cosby sweater for fall).
Repeat Street (242 Highway 51 N., Ridgeland, 601-605-9123): It has a huge selection with literally anything you could possibly need: clothes and shoes for the whole family, indoor and outdoor furniture, house furnishings, decor and more.
Bargain Boutique (5070 Parkway Drive, 601-991-0500): This Junior League of Jackson shop is one of my favorite "boutique" thrift stores. It has a great selection without boutique prices.
Fondren Muse (3413 N. State St., 601-345-1155): It is Jackson's upscale-designer consignment shop. You can always find what you're looking for there. It has everything from mint-condition designer handbags to accessories under $10. This is the best local spot for designer finds, plus its proceeds benefit the no-kill animal shelter CARA.
As a child, my mom took me from one antique mall to another on Saturdays and on road trips. Today, I am thankful for that. I know where to spot a good bargain and, equally important, how to spot a rip-off. Here are some of my favorite places:
Flowood Flea Market (1325 Flowood Drive, 601-953-5914): It has an equal mix of amazing finds and junk. The coolest part is the Salvage Market in the back. It sells architectural salvage as well as upcycled furniture made in-house.
Old House Depot (639 Monroe St., 601-592-6200): I get lost in here every time. Its selection and quality are amazing, and the atmosphere is incredible. Here, you can find all sorts of architectural salvage items and high-quality in-house furniture built with recycled materials. The guys here have fun with what they do, and it shows. This is a place where they make an effort to get to know you and go out of their way to help you. Make sure not to miss the next holiday party. Keep up with Old House Depot's cool treasures and events on Facebook.
I still love spending Saturdays out on the open road antiquing. Here are a few places that are worth the drive: 45 Flea Market & Antiques (7890 Highway 45 N., Marion, 601-679-7777): You can't go wrong stopping at any of these antique malls and flea markets on the Highway 45 stretch between Meridian and Starkville, but is this my favorite. Because I'm so far away, I keep up with it on its Facebook page. Magnolia Flea Market (3967 Highway 49 S., Florence, 601-845-4655) and 49 South Antiques & Flea Market (3977 Highway 49 S., Florence, 601-845-4183): Side by side, these two gems are teeming with old treasure. You can find great retro furniture and unique home decor there at reasonable prices.
Marketplace Antiques and Flea Market (5360 Highway 49, Hattiesburg, 601-544-6644): With more than 200 dealers and 50,000 square feet of retail space, this market is sure to have something for you.
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