Express your vintage fashion passion and secondhand style with your discoveries at Corvallis' consignment, resale, and thrift stores. From classic looks, retro tees, or items to be upcycled into something new, check out these nine hot spots in town!
Giving back to the community is why these gently-used clothing stores do business in Corvallis, with owners being family, friends, or charities. So when you shop at these places, you have extra reasons for feeling good and being a part of the anti-fast-fashion movement.
Start your "Thrift Trippin'" (defined by Vintage Life as the act of leaving your daily environment to travel to find secondhand treasures) in the downtown area of Corvallis. Making a loop of all the top resale stores is about a mile of walking, with plenty of opportunity to stop for re-energizing food and beverages.
The OSU Folk Club Thrift Shop (map) is 100% volunteer-run and is only open two days a week - Wednesdays and Saturdays, which happen to be the same days as the Corvallis Farmers Market. You'll find seasonal donated clothes and many other household items. This thrift store gives scholarships to Benton County high school grads who attend OSU. They also donate grants to many Benton County agencies and organizations. Check their website or Facebook page for updates.
TSA Vintage (map) recently opened up its corner location, having started in a basement, then a living room, then an upstairs office, and finally, this prime spot. The store is co-owned by five friends, all transplanted from California to be entrepreneurs here in Corvallis. Grab a shot of energy on that same block at Greenhouse Coffee + Plants.
TSA Vintage offers high-end shoes, funky (often vintage) t-shirts, and other pre-2000s fun finds. The owners recommend checking their Instagram for updates @tsa_vintage.
After TSA Vintage, take a walk to 5th. On your way admire City Hall, and a few blocks later you'll be at Lint (map). It's located in a painted red-brick building, opposite two places to eat - Fifth Street Growlers or Ants On A Log Cafe. Three former OSU students and roommates refresh their offerings several times a month. They don't genderize their assortment, and while not everything is guaranteed "vintage," the clothes have that vibe. The goal is to keep prices reasonable for college kids and young professionals.
While they don't have a website, they are proud that they scored the single word for their constantly updated Instagram account, @lint.
Although billed as a thrift shop, Runway Fashion Exchange (map) sees themselves more as a resale shop as they offer cash on the spot for clothing brought in. Serving teens and adults, the store has two floors filled with an assortment of name-brand, and quality gently used clothes. After shopping, hop next door to the Asian fusion restaurant, Koriander, which also offers several flavors of homemade Italian gelato.
The Runway sales team loves the community and partners regularly with OSU at different events. While visiting, you may catch an associate staging recent items for an Instagram fashion shoot posted on @runwaycorvallis.
After Koriander, cross over 3rd Street and visit Second Glance (map), a consignment store "serving fashion in a socially responsible way since 1984." The mother/daughter owners are proud of their business and were honored in 2014 with OSU's "Excellence In Family Business Award."
The owners give back to the community by donating unsold goods to the charities The Arc of Benton County and the Vina Moses Center. For insights on the latest curated items for sale, look to @secondglance_corvallis.
Walk another block south on 3rd, and you'll come across the primary fundraiser for the local non-profit animal welfare organization, Heartland Humane Shelter & Care, the Heartland Humane Thrift Shop (map). This "no-kill" shelter, which serves 1,500-2,000 pets annually, currently has an overabundance of kittens looking for foster care.
The shop, formerly called "Cat's Meow," offers great deals on "home goods, clothing, vintage collectibles, shoes, books, art, and new and used pet items."
To round out the loop, head back north on 2nd Street - where you'll discover several wonderful places to eat or drink. Try Old World Deli, Oregon Trail Brewery, or Valcan Cellars (all in one spot!), or American Dream Pizza with gluten-free options.
Revolve (map) is a consignment store owned by two sisters, both of whom are Corvallis locals. They believe in the "3 Rs - reduce, reuse, recycle" and want Revolve to become the 4th R! Walk in, and you feel like you're in a trendy boutique with wonderfully curated looks.
Don't see what you want? Sign up for their wish list, and they can keep an eye out for that special piece. If you bring your own bag, they will give you a bauble, each worth 5¢, to place in a jar representing three local causes that will receive the donation.
After completing the loop, treat yourself to a fine meal at Taco Vino or a dessert at Sugar J's - both located a short distance away and near the riverfront.
A short drive in different directions from downtown will take you to other thrift and consignment options.
The Arc of Benton County Thrift Store has two locations - one in Corvallis (map) and one in Philomath (map). Insiders recommend acting on buying your finds (clothes, home goods, and more), as items sell fast. The Arc provides advocacy and programs for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families in Benton County.
Heading south on 99W from downtown, you'll find Mother Goose Resale (map), a thrift and consignment store for preemies to size 12 youth and maternity. In the same strip mall is Sharon's Cafe, great for breakfast or daily specials. If you're looking for fresh fish to take home, cross over 99W to Pacifica Seafood Market.
Since you are a Thrift Warrior, please share your fun, unique discoveries! Also, we'd love it if you post on social media and tag us on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. We may share your photos with our audience if you tag us or use the hashtag #VisitCorvallis on Instagram.
Article and photos by Stacey Newman Weldon. Keep up with Corvallis news, events and happenings by signing up for our email newsletter.
