Best Thrifting in Asheville—A Local’s Perspective
- Ian W.
- Apr 6, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Feb 27
Those who know me know I ain’t much of a shopper. Looking, browsing, wandering; all fine. But most of the time, it’d take a wedge and hammer to separate me from my hard won cash.
Now thrifting is an exception. Nothing springs me out of my anti-consumerist fugue faster than some vintage merchandise, gently used furniture, and a price tag that says, “Fifty percent off.”
What can I say? I got an eye for a deal. And in search of these deals, I’ve crisscrossed the whole of Asheville, delved into many a dusty bin and many a lonely aisle, propelled by the adventurer’s thirst for long-forgotten treasures, and a cheapskate’s love for thrift.
If you too are in search of the unexpected, of wares of which you are unaware, but may truly desire to wear, then I invite you to read on and discover five of the best spots for thrifting in Asheville.
This classic west Asheville consignment store prides itself in providing affordable, fashionable finds. The place is hip, inviting, and funky-fresh, making it the obvious first stop on our tour of Asheville's best thrift stores.
Here the stock isn't just limited to clothing, with plenty of jewelry, plants, and sundry home goods on display as well, making it a great place to find gifts and/or keepsakes from your visit to Asheville.
As displayed on the sign, they also operate buy and trade secondhand clothes, so if you happen to be looking to shed something from your suitcase, look no further.
Once you're done perusing the goods, unwind by heading just across the street for some tea and pastries at Dobra Tea West, one of my favorite local tearooms.
Hours: 11am to 6pm, Monday through Thursday. Closes at 7pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 5pm on Sundays.
If rEvolve was the aperitif, I consider Lulu’s the main meal. They’re located down in Fletcher off Hendersonville Road, far south of where the typical thrifting tourist would go to find their goods.
But you’re not the typical thrifter. If you’re reading this article, you’re well on your way to being an Asheville veteran, and that means going off the beaten path.
At Lulu’s you’ll find two floors of sprawling recycled retail. Plenty of clothes of course, but typically there’s also a fine crop of furniture, décor, and on the bottom floor: specialty kitchenware. That last one may seem kind of niche, but I’m telling you: soon as you find that one rice cooker that just speaks to you, you’ll be singing a different tune.
Hours: 11am to 5pm, Tuesday through Saturday. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Here we’re hitting something truly Ashevillean. With the Blue Ridge always in sight, locals and tourists alike adore my hometown for its mountaineering opportunities. But these kinds of hobbies—hiking, camping, whitewater rafting—tend to run up a tab pretty quick. I thought we were trying to escape the constraints of civilization here, do I really need to shell out one hundred dollars for a water bottle?
Well no. No you don’t. Because here at Second Gear, located across from Asheville’s famous River Arts District, you can get new and used adventure gear spanning everything from camp stoves to crocs. And if you’re like me, and have a loved one in your life who stockpiles backpacks and outerwear that seemed useful at the time, but don’t quite do the trick, well, now’s your chance to trade all that stuff in.
It's not your typical kind of thrifting, but Second Gear serves its noble purpose of providing just what you need for some discounted hiking in Asheville.
Hours: 10am to 6pm, daily.
Back up in downtown Asheville, Honeypot sits at the end of North Lexington Avenue, next door to a series of thrift stores and gift shops each more awesome than the next.
I guess what I’m really recommending here is starting at Cornerstone Minerals on the south end of the block, then consigning your way on north. You want your fill of downtown shopping, here it is.
But I’m mentioning Honeypot specifically because they’re most my speed. I like their style, and sure that’s subjective, but I reckon each and every savvy shopper who ends up on North Lexington will find one store that calls to them. All I can say is if you like vintage outerwear as much as I do, Honeypot’s the place to go.
And on top of all that, Lexington Avenue’s one heck of great place to stop for dinner. You got Heiwa Shokudo for Japanese, Mela Indian, and of course downtown's own Dobra tearoom, my favorite place for an afternoon respite.
Hours: 11am to 6pm, daily.
5: Sweeten Creek Antiques & Collectables
And now for the big time. Most thrifters are focused on vintage attire. I'm all for this endeavor, of course, but what if I told you there was a whole other realm to explore? A realm of secondhand furniture, built to last. A realm of antique glassware, of posters from another age?
All this and more can be found right here at Sweeten Creek Antiques (including, of course, plenty of vintage clothes). Located just a couple minutes down the road from Biltmore Village, this hidden gem boasts more than 31,000 square feet of floor space, featuring a whopping one-hundred-and-twenty five vendors. Suffice to say: if you can have your thrifting needs met here, I doubt you'll find what you're looking for anywhere else.
It's not only one of the best thrift stores in Asheville, but in truth, a full-blown antique warehouse. Good luck and happy hunting.
Hours: 10am to 5:30pm, Monday through Saturday. Noon to 5:30pm on Sundays.
If you're interested in thrifting, chances are you're someone interested in some real bang for their buck. When it comes to finding a place to stay in Asheville that suits that interest, look no further than Asheville Cottages.
Our luxury cabins offer top-of-the-line private accommodations, featuring full kitchens, hot tubs, grilles, and even heated bathroom floors, all while lying just a short drive away from all the great shops mentioned in this list.
Book a stay yourself and see just why Asheville Cottages is rated number one on trip advisor, with plenty of five-star reviews.
Businesses Mentioned
rEvolve
697 Haywood Rd, Asheville, NC 28806
Lulu's Consignment Boutique
(828)-687-7565
3699 Hendersonville Rd, Fletcher, NC 28732
Second Gear
(828)-258-0757
52 Westgate Pkwy, Asheville, NC 28806
Honeypot Vintage
(828)-225-0304
86 N Lexington Ave, Asheville, NC 28801
Sweeten Creek Antiques & Collectables
(828)-277-6100
115 Sweeten Creek Rd, Asheville, NC 28803
