The best shopping doesn’t always happen at glossy malls or sleek boutiques. Across the country, tucked into quiet shopping centers, warehouse corners, and unassuming storefronts, a treasure trove of liquidation, catalog closeouts, and quirky discount shops is waiting to be discovered. Check out these eight hidden-gem discount stores you can find around the South — some with multiple locations!
“Dirty Dillard’s” (Dillard’s Clearance Centers)
Locations in the South: Montgomery, AL; Five in Florida; Kenner and Slidell, LA; Vicksburg, MS; Asheville, Gastonia, and High Point, NC; and Four in Texas
You might drive past an empty wing of a dying mall and inside find one of Dillard’s Clearance Centers — “Dirty Dillard’s,” as savvy bargain hunters lovingly call them. These are the after-party of Dillard’s: overstock, off-season, returns, and items that didn’t move in regular stores get funneled here. Shoppers report grabbing $100 dresses for $10 and on-trend shoes for under $30.
The trick is timing: the clearance centers receive regular markdowns from the mainline stores, so earlier in the week (after stock arrives), you’ll see better picks, but by week’s end, things may be further reduced or picked over. Watch TikToker Anniston Lyles explore the famous “Dirty Dillards” in Vicksburg, MS.
@.annistonbrentleigh DIRTY DILLARDS!!Vicksburg MS!!! • • #dirtydillards #dillardsclearance #vicksburgms #mississippi #shoppingvlog #DITL #vlog #shopping #fypシ #dirtydillards #shopping ♬ nhạc nền – Old Songs Old Memories
It’s a treasure hunt: sizes are limited, and you might need to dig. But for those willing to sift, you’ll find name brands at a fraction of retail. Because inventory is unpredictable and seasonal goods are common (think linen, swimwear, winter coats), plan frequent repeat visits to hit the best finds.
Reclectic
Locations in the South: Charlotte, NC; and Dallas, TX
Reclectic, launched by URBN (the parent company behind Urban Outfitters, Anthropologie, Free People, and Nuuly), is a clever overstock/clearance concept that blends new and customer-returned items from super popular brands under one roof. (The Charlotte location’s recent grand opening drew lines around the block.)
Inside, the huge space is well-organized by size (though sizes in the middle can be scarce). Merch arrives from multiple URBN channels — some brand new with tags, some pre-loved via their Nuuly rental business, and some returns. Pricing is typically 50% to 60% off retail, with flat discounts applied across categories, except for a few high-end items that are priced individually.
Inside Discount
Location: Oxford, MS
More like a small-town secret than a high-profile outlet, Inside Discount is a family-owned home decor and seasonal accessory store located “inside” Discount Building Materials in Oxford, Mississippi. They’re known for swoon-worthy, dramatic seasonal displays and great deals. Here’s a taste of their autumn layout:
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One of Inside Discount’s signature features is that they start receiving Christmas decorations as early as July. From October through December, the store transforms into a holiday wonderland with more than 20 themed Christmas trees throughout the space. Beyond the seasonal spectacle, customers love the friendly vibe and unique finds in decor, accent furniture, small furnishings, and holiday ornaments.
SB Tip: Pop in after major holidays, when seasonal goods get steeply marked down, and late summer (August and September), when summer decor is clearing out. And, of course, go explore all of Oxford.
Southeastern Salvage Home Emporium
Locations in the South: Birmingham, AL (new!); Chattanooga, TN; Chesapeake, VA; Columbia, SC; Knoxville, TN; Mobile, AL; Nashville, TN; Shreveport, LA; Huntsville, AL; and Greenville, SC
Southeastern Salvage describes itself as a “home emporium” of vintage, salvage, and liquidation home goods. Its inventory is eclectic and extensive, featuring furniture, lighting, mirrors, doors, flooring, rugs, tiles, bathroom vanities, garden accents, and architectural salvage bits.
Shoppers affectionately call it a maze (but a fun one), and report finding leather couches, teak patio sets, funky mirrors, and cowhide rugs at a fraction of boutique prices. Think bulk closeout furniture that can be repurposed or refinished. Look at this selection of Feizy rugs starting at $6.99:
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Seasonality matters: a significant portion of stock comes from building or remodeling closeouts, making the flow unpredictable. After home improvement booms or new construction slumps, you might see waves of clearance cabinets, tile, or doors. Also, big-ticket items may linger, so watching for deeper markdowns over time can pay off.
If you visit, block at least an hour (or several). The place is massive, with items hidden on high shelves, among bins, and tucked in corners. Weekdays are ideal when contractors might shop, but weekend visits offer more people-watching (and sometimes people unloading sale pallets). Be prepared to haul — some pieces are heavy, and many are sold as-is with no delivery.
Unclaimed Baggage
Location: Scottsboro, AL
This list wouldn’t be complete without the South’s most peculiar (and hotly debated) discount destination: Unclaimed Baggage. The “lost luggage” retailer was founded in 1970 as the only store that sells unclaimed airline luggage and its contents. They receive thousands of items weekly, categorize, refurbish, and route them for sale across multiple departments, including clothing, electronics, books, and curios. And you’d be shocked by how much stuff is new.
You’ll see high-end finds — designer handbags, cameras, and even rare collectibles — sold at deep discounts (20% to 80% off retail) depending on their condition. One popular tradition: their annual Ski Sale on the first Saturday of November, where all the winter gear collected over the year is sold in bulk. People camp out in the parking lot, hoping to be among the first in.
Because inventory is from lost luggage, it’s like shopping in an ever-changing museum-meets-bargain shop. A few tips: Weekdays are calmer than Saturdays, and visit the in-store museum of found treasures. Also, if you can’t make it, the online store is shoppable whenever.
Employee Adidas Concept Store
Location: Greenville, SC
As Adidas sneakers completely take over the streets, the company as a whole is regaining some nostalgic momentum among many cohorts of shoppers. Their employee stores (or “concept stores”) are even more secretive than salvage shops or liquidation centers. They operate on pass or invite systems, giving shoppers access to steeply discounted Adidas apparel, footwear, and accessories (all about 50% off).
Because these stores are tied to employee perks, access, and stock are tightly controlled. Inventory tends to be current-season items that they made too much of or didn’t sell at full price. Timing is everything: look for periods just after new Adidas seasonal drops, when overstock starts filtering out. Here’s a sneak peek:
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To get a “secret pass,” sign up for the AdiClub (it’s free), and you can book a visit to the store on the Adidas App. Also, stay tuned to Adidas and Visit Greenville on Instagram for the next Open House (usually in November), when the store is open to the public for a limited time.
UAL (United Apparel Liquidators)
Locations: Nashville, TN (3 stores); New Orleans, LA (3 stores); Metairie, LA; Austin, TX; Houston, TX; and Hattiesburg, MS
UAL is one of the South’s best-kept secret discount stores. Think luxury clothing at drastically reduced prices, a friendly staff, and unique finds at super-fantastic prices. UAL is a favorite among fashion-savvy bargain hunters because it specializes in designer liquidations, such as Chloé, Balenciaga, Givenchy, and more, sold at steep discounts (70% to 90% off retail).
Because UAL often receives single units of each item, act fast if you see something you like! To squeeze the most out of it, visit right after new shipments (often midweek), check their website and social media for inventory, and browse slowly… some gems lie deep within the racks. Because UAL draws both locals and out-of-towners, early weekday visits give you the edge over weekend crowds.
The OOPS! Co.
Locations in South Carolina: Charleston, Columbia, Greenville, Mt. Pleasant, and Spartanburg
In its 40-plus years in business, OOPS! has expanded to multiple locations across South Carolina and quietly built a reputation as the go-to destination for catalog overstock, factory irregulars, and name-brand apparel at steep discounts.
They describe their model as “selling factory irregulars and overruns of brand-name items at a discounted price,” mixed in with regular merchandise. Think classic brands from catalogs you love to thumb through, but at a fraction of retail prices.
Locals love that new shipments roll in daily, making every visit feel like a new treasure hunt. The trick? Go early in the day (especially weekdays) to snag fresh arrivals, reevaluate later in the week when markdowns kick in.
Happy bargain hunting … and don’t tell the locals we sent you!
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