7 thrift stores & second-hand shops around Boston to hunt for fun finds

Where can you find an a pair of vintage overalls, a historic map of Boston Common and a set of jadeite dishes all in one place?

Full of spectacular finds, secondhand shops and thrift stores have skyrocketed in popularity in recent years. People of all ages are flocking to these shops to buy all kinds of vintage goods that are stylish and sustainable — to an extent.

In Greater Boston, thrifting isn’t limited to just clothing. The area is full of antique stores, too. Here are some places to start your hunt.

201 Monsignor O'Brien Highway, Cambridge

This five-story antique mall in East Cambridge sells nostalgic items, antique furniture, vintage clothes, textiles, artwork, jewelry and more. What makes this market different from others is the sheer volume offered across 150 booths, all within a fairly wide range of prices.

Tip: They have limited hours (11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday) and the place can get busy. The mall’s parking lot is very small, so if you have to drive, get there early to find a spot. If you can take the T to Lechmere, it’s a three-minute walk from the station.

406 Western Ave., Brighton

A brick-and-mortar version of The Brighton Bazaar, a monthly art vendors' market, The Brighton Emporium hosts 40 vendors with eclectic selections at their booths. You'll find true vintage menswear, New England-themed trinkets, cute handmade ceramics and gear that pays homage to neighboring Allston, aka Rat City. If you're on the hunt for something in particular, the team at Brighton Emporium will even ask their in-store vendors to be on the lookout as they comb through antique markets, and vintage and estate sales for treasures. Bonus: They have lots of street parking nearby.

713 Centre St, Jamaica Plain

Based in Jamaica Plain, Diversity Consignment has a curated selection of secondhand clothes, artwork, vintage records, shoes and accessories that you can also shop online. Streetwear fans and vintage resellers, this is the thrift store you’ll want to visit. Staff take in new items every single day, and the consignment split — 50/50 for items over $100 — is worthwhile for those looking to offload more valuable stuff.

318 Lincoln St., Allston and online

Vivant Vintage made its debut on the streets of Boston. Owner Justin Pomerleau started off selling thrifted clothes out of a cart similar to the kind you’d see on the Boston Common peddling popcorn. Pomerleau’s small operation expanded over the years into a brick and mortar shop you can visit in Allston and an online store.

You’ll find a range of items here, from funky, patterned sweaters and coats to vintage lingerie, European workwear, and even jewelry and crystals. Prices range, though they can definitely skew high for designer items or those made from natural materials (but real leather isn’t usually cheap, anyway.)

563 Mass. Ave., Cambridge 

When Boomerangs — a beloved local thrift chain — shuttered its three Greater Boston locations in June 2024, it looked like the end for one Boston's oldest thrift stores.

But they weren't gone for long. Boomerangs returned to Cambridge in October 2024 as "Boomerangs by More Than Words," located in the same place as their previous Central Square shop. And, like in the past, Boomerangs will sell a mix of new, vintage and used clothes and accessories.

Established in the mid-90s, the first Boomerangs accepted donations of clothing from those who’d died from HIV/AIDS complications. Throughout the store’s history, revenue from sales went directly to AIDS research and community care, but under the new ownership, the organization will support "More than Words", a youth empowerment program, and provide job opportunities to young adults in foster care, involved in court, experiencing homelessness or out of school.

200 Broadway, Cambridge

It’s not a district, it’s a store! This two-level store has been a staple for veteran thrifters and vintage shoppers in the Boston area for decades.

On the second floor is a selection of vintage clothing — racks of everything from Hawaiian shirts and blazers, to dresses and overalls — and dead stock accessories. If you visit the store from Sunday to Friday, you’ll only see Boston Costume (a party supply shop) on the first floor. But find yourself there on a Saturday and you might have a chance to go digging in the freshly replenished “By-The-Pound” section, which has clothes priced at  $2 per pound (it's available to shop every day, but new clothes are added every Saturday).

122 Charles Street, Beacon Hill

The Blessing Barn is a chain of nonprofit secondhand shops across Massachusetts. Its Boston location in Beacon Hill sells housewares like ceramics, candles, baskets and various objet d’art, as well as donated clothing, books and handbags.

All the proceeds from the Beacon Hill location go to Room in the City, which provides free, short-term housing for patients and families who are receiving medical care at Boston’s hospitals. (Room in the City is an initiative through Blessing Barn's owner, Compassion New England.)

If you’re interested in donating, apply for an appointment and read through The Blessing Barn’s list of acceptable items.

Update: An earlier version of this story included the thrift store Swank Seconds, which has since closed.