Thrifty City: Where to Uncover Used Treasures in Nashville

You’ve likely heard the name Marie Kondo floating around recently. She’s the author of the best-selling novel The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up. She’s also the genius behind her namesake “KonMari” method of decluttering, which emphasizes hanging onto items that spark joy and getting rid of the rest. And, of course, she’s the star of the hit Netflix show “Tidying Up With Marie Kondo.”

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Thanks to Marie Kondo’s series, people are following her philosophy and clearing out. Since its release on January 1, the series has sparked an uptick in thrift store inventory, including here in Nashville. For those of us not in declutter mode, now is the ideal opportunity to capitalize on everyone saying “thank you, next,” to their unwanted belongings.

“More people are bringing in stuff this winter,” says Bruce Krapf, who works as the operations manager of ThriftSmart on Nolesnville Road. “We have more general donations coming in this time of year — probably from that show. It’s bringing awareness to people who need to clear out their homes.”

At ThriftSmart, shoppers can find clothes, books, electronics, home decor and furniture. However, like most thrifts stores, women’s clothing is its top seller and largest donation category. “We have some great clothing,” Bruce continues. “We have pretty intense quality control, so we try to put out higher quality garments. A lot of it is women’s clothes.”

While not all secondhand stores are experiencing a surge in donations, Music City Thrift’s regional manager Steve Stark says he feels inspired by Marie Kondo to clear out his own belongings. “When the series came out, it’s possible there was an uptick at that moment. But when it’s rainy and cold like this, people aren’t bringing in as much,” says Steve. “But I’m going through my closet saying ‘thank you.’”

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The unanimity among local thrift store managers is that women’s attire is the most donated, most purchased secondhand merchandise. And for finding hidden gems in thrift stores, the general consensus is to snag unique, valuable items that catch your eye as soon as you see them.

“If someone is looking for something unique, it gets snatched up really fast. Know your brands, and know what you’re looking for when you come in,” adds Steve. “Our business puts out a lot of stuff every day. It’s the customers best interest to check throughout the day and as often as they can.”

Bruce feels similarly. “If you see something and it’s a good price already and you’re debating whether you want to wait for a sale day, you should get it today because we only have one of it,” he says. “If you see it and really like it, go ahead and get it. Don’t wait for a sale because it may not be there.”

In general, Sundays are the slowest days for thrift stores — but perfect for those of us who don’t enjoy shopping in crowds. Fridays and Saturdays are typically the busiest — bustling with people trying to get their hands on some of the latest inventory.

One exception to this would be This-n-That Thrift Shop, where the store is closed on Sundays and Mondays to restock the new inventory. Its busiest and best day to shop is Tuesdays.

“The largest volume is put out on Tuesdays,” says Ron Watson, the president of volunteers for This-n-That Thrift Shop. “We usually have a line of people waiting outside on Tuesdays for the store to open.”

So, whether you’re looking to offload some of the fruits of your labor or collect some excellent steals to revamp your wardrobe or living space, here are some of Nashville’s best thrift stores to get the job done.

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6 Great Nashville Thrift Stores

ThriftSmart

4890 Nolensville Rd, Nashville, TN 37211
(615) 833-8200 • thriftsmart.com
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
Best for: men’s, women’s and children’s clothing and home furnishings

Goodwill

780 Berry Rd, Nashville, TN 37204
(615) 346-1600 • giveit2goodwill.org
Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 6 p.m.
What they are best for: men’s clothing, women’s clothing, children’s clothing, shoes, linens and home furnishings

12th Avenue Thrift

1125 12th Ave S, Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 248-2447 • osdtn.org/thrift-store/
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Closed Sundays
What they are best for: men’s clothing, women’s clothing, small appliances and furniture.

This-n-That Thrift Shop

5007 Georgia Ave, Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 292-4032 • thisnthatnashville.com
Hours: Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Saturday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.; Closed Sundays and Mondays
What they are best for: Men’s and women’s clothing, jewelry, linens, home furnishings and art

Music City Thrift

3780 Nolensville Pike, Nashville, TN 37211
(615) 445-7818 • buythrift.com
Hours: Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sunday, noon to 7 p.m.
What they are best for: men’s clothing, women’s clothing, accessories, decorations, toys and furniture

Southern Thrift

5010 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209
(615) 292-1807
Hours: Monday, 9:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; Tuesday through Saturday, 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
What they are best for: vintage clothing and accessories and home furnishings

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