Thrift stores are filled with treasures, bargains, and a whole lot of community spirit. We took a tour of Blount’s thrift stores! Whether you love vintage finds, budget shopping, resale boutiques, secondhand furniture, collectibles, or nonprofit thrift stores that support local charities, these local thrift shops offer big bargains and hidden treasures.
Perfect for budget shoppers, treasure hunters, vintage lovers, and anyone exploring things to do in Blount County, Tennessee.
One of our newest thrifts, Thrift Therapy, opened three years ago. It’s the dream of Realtor Regina Garner, who painstakingly screens every item donated before reselling. (If she can’t sell it, she donates it in turn.) The simple storefront belies a boutique vibe inside, complete with a sitting area and a table serving up coffee and cookies.
Garner wants the store to be a community gathering spot, not just a shop. She donated proceeds to “Feeding our Kids,” until that charity folded last year. She’s mulling which organization to donate to, but in the meantime, she offers up a huge range of clothing, toys, entertainment, and collectibles in a cozy atmosphere.
And the name? Thrift shopping is her favorite form of therapy, and she jokes that the name gives thrifters plausible deniability for their hobby. “’Where have you been?’ ‘Oh, I was doing therapy!’” she chuckled.
Our take: Good bargains on clothes and collectibles, but prices are well-researched. A pleasant and cozy shopping experience.
This small thrift is easy to miss, but that would be a big mistake. Second Chance benefits Family Promise of Blount County, which helps homeless families achieve safe and reliable shelter. The shop has a wide variety of household items, including some higher-end furniture, china, and art, as well as a basement full of carefully staged clothing.
There are several rooms to roam through, making this small-but-mighty thrift irresistible. The all-volunteer staff meticulously organizes the space, showcasing special finds. Prices are widely variable, depending on the items, with high quality items priced competitively but bargains abounding as well.
Second Chance also sells a very small curated selection of locally crafted items, including wood carving and candles.
Our take: Great buys and a pleasant shopping experience, helped along by the friendly volunteer staff and comfortable layout.
Community Chest might be one of Blount’s best-known thrifts, with more than a decade at its East Maryville location. The nonprofit store benefits local families in need with funds and materials, and works with area churches as well. It is one of the best-stocked thrifts in the area, with a boutique-style clothing store in the front room and a spacious back room for children’s clothing, housewares, etc.
One of the most popular features of Community Chest is its frequent sales, often keyed to the season. (For example, earlier this month, all men’s pants were on sale for 25 cents.) Their mass pricing makes shopping fast and affordable. It also makes shopping a bit of a treasure hunt, but the cheap finds are well worth the search. And because the prices are already so low, Community Chest is a “no haggle” zone.
Our take: A classic thrift with bargain prices that are well worth the digging.
All Creatures (ACTS) is a spacious thrift. It benefits the Blount County Humane Society and is staffed by volunteers. The huge stock ranges from collectible glassware to toys and clothes. Periodic sales and
Adoptable animals can sometimes be admired in a side room—by appointment only! The staff researches donations pretty thoroughly, so this is a great store for finding both bargains and collectibles. And, unlike many thrifts, All Creatures welcomes haggling, at least on some items!
Our take: A crowded but organized thrift with a lot to offer at both ends of the cost/value spectrum.
Reclaimed Treasures is unique because, unlike most others, they do not accept donations. The proprietor buys pallets and storage units to glean the store’s inventory. As a result, it’s truly a treasure hunt here, with a huge range of items. A recent trip yielded in-the-package blind box collectibles, new jewelry making supplies, and many types of cosmetics and toiletries, along with more expected thrift offerings.
The shop offers occasional fill-the-bag sales and a constantly rotating selection in its compact space.
Our take: A singular experience with crowded shelves and big bargains. Not the place to go for furniture or antiques, but a great option for lots of other categories.
Fans of 4 Chics and a Cat know that this longstanding thrift has been on a journey—literally. But for over a year now, they’ve been settled in at the current location, where they benefit local animal charities. (And yes, a cat is often in residence.)
This thrift falls on the cozy and quirky side, with curated selections of glassware and collectibles, as well as clothing, housewares, and books. Once a month, they offer a half-price sale, as well as other seasonal sales. The bargains include some furnishings and other higher-end items, all arranged in a pleasing style.
Our take: Great variety with friendly staff, and a pleasant shopping experience. We love the care taken to merchandise items.
