Before going to thrift stores, make sure you have these essential things:
1. Reusable bag. Some stores do not supply shopping bags, so it's important to bring one along if you purchase more then you can carry.2. Cell Phone. Bring your cell phone along, in case you see something you think a friend would like. You can take a picture of it and send it to them. That way you can make sure they like it before you buy. (Also is good to have a phone in reach if a creeper stalks you in the store).
3. Cash. Some charity stores only except cash, plus if you're driving around and see a flee market or yard sale it's good to have cash on hand.
4. Hand Sanitizer. Self explanatory.
The first shop I went to was Hope House Thrift on Granby Street in Norfolk. This is a small shop in the heart of the city. I love their window displays, each week they choose a color for everything displayed to be. This week was pink! My only complaint about Hope House, is there is a lack of parking. Their parking lot only has room for about 5 cars, and you can't park on the other side of the lot because it's private. I had to circle the block twice before a spot opened. I didn't buy anything today. However there was a cute Sanrio bathroom set, and some interesting books I thought about purchasing. Last week when I went I bought a pair of Michael Kors Boots for only $12. I sold them on eBay for $48! I always stop at Hope House when I'm on Granby.
I hate thrift stores that put their best products, antiques, nicnacks and accessories behind lock and key. What I love about thrifting is being able to dig for treasure, get my hands dirty, and explore. Family Thrift on N. Military highway had good reviews online, however I was very disapointed. They had some amazing vintage purses, asain antiques and retro items. Except they were all behind glass, and way over priced. There was a Vintage Louis Vitonne purse I was eyeing. However is was priced at $75!! That much for a purse at a thirft shop? WTF. There were a couple other things I thought were nice, but as I said they were far to exspensive. So I left the store empty handed.
As I was driving to my next destination in VA Beach I spotted a flee market at Princess Anne Highschool. It was closing up by the time I got there, but there was still some to see. Most of the stuff was junk, however this one booth had some really cute jewlery. I bought three little braclets for only $5!
I had not meant to stop at WorthTheWait, but I wasn't having any luck finding the other stores on my list. I've been to WorthTheWait only once before. It's markets itself as a consignment store, but it's more of a boutuiqe with some high ticket items like designer purses. I purchased a J.Crew button down for about $15. It's cute, and worth the price. So todays trip to the store was well Worth the Wait.
I was driving to my next shop when I found this jewel of a store in VA Beach. I didn't feel like Olde Main Street had much that was worth buying, but it did have beautiful displays and creative antique pieces and art. Below are some pictures from the store.
Overall this trip kind of failed. I had a list of 8 stores to visit. I could only find 3 of them! I don't know if my GPS or their adresses were wrong. I didn't buy very much either. Maybe next trip I'll do better.
