Ashley of Eva Mae Thrift shares her best kept secrets

Shopping secondhand (aka thrifting) has grown in popularity as more people seek out cost conscious alternatives without sacrificing quality. As a professional thrifter and owner of Eva Mae Thrift, a vintage pop I help you repurpose clothing that spices up your closet. According to ThredUp, In 2024, the U.S. secondhand apparel market saw its strongest growth since 2021, growing by 14% and expected to reach $74 billion by 2029. This uptick in secondhand shopping has made room for multiple outlets to shop for preloved goods, ranging from clothing, jewelry, to furniture.

In celebration of National Thrift Shop Day on August 17th, I curated a list of my favorite second hand gems in Nashville and some pro tips to make sure you are getting the most out of your thrift shopping experiences.

Thrift Stores

Specialty: Clothing, accessories, house goods

Southern Thrift 5010 Charlotte Ave, Nashville, TN 37209
Thrift Smart 4890 Nolensville Pk, Nashville, TN 37211

Speciality: Arts and crafting supplies

Smart Art + Craft Supplies 2416 Music Valley Drive Suite 106 Nashville, TN 37214
Turnip Green Creative Reuse 1014 3rd Ave S. Nashville, TN 37210

Vintage Stores

Clothing and Accessories
- Anaconda Vintage 1062 E Trinity Ln #101, Nashville, TN 37216
- Buffalo Exchange 2214 Elliston Pl, Nashville, Tennessee 37203
- Music City Vintage New location coming soon!
Furniture and Home Decor
- Ebb & Iv (By appointment only) 1015 W. Kirkland Avenue, Ste 205
  Nashville, TN 37216
- Paloma Goods 3109 Gallatin Pike, Nashville, TN 37216

Vintage Markets

First Sunday Market at the Shops at Porter East 701-801 Porter Rd, Nashville, TN 37206

Sunday Vintage Market at Donut Distillery 311 Gallatin Ave Nashville, TN 37206

Thrift on Tap Market Rotating pop-up markets at Nashville breweries

Estate Sales

If you love the thrill of driving through neighborhoods looking for yard sales and getting lost in the hunt looking for something unique, estate sales are the way to go. Estate Sales website is a great tool for finding the best estate sales in your area. You can find almost anything under the sun, from clothing, to collectibles, to furniture.

Once you have your list of places mapped out, you are ready to hit the ground running…. almost! Shopping secondhand is exciting and fun, but it can be a little overwhelming if you don’t go in with some strategy and mindfulness.

Make a list beforehand! When you step inside a thrift store, you are bound to get distracted by rows of clothing racks or the shelves of home goods. So you will thank yourself when you remember that you have a list of specific items that you are looking for, also minimizing impulse purchases.

Don’t restrict yourself to your current clothing size and one section of the store. Sizing can be all over the place with the multitude of brands, so do not be afraid to look beyond your size to find the right fit. Also, don’t miss out on some great finds by not checking out the women’s, men’s, and children’s sections. That oversized blazer you have been wanting can likely be found right in the men’s section!

Inspect your items before purchasing. There is nothing worse than taking your purchase home, only to discover that there is damage to it that is beyond repair or alteration. Look for holes, tears, stains, and missing buttons on clothing. For furniture and electronics, check for cracks, chips, and functionality. Since many thrift stores have a “no returns” policy, this step is essential.

Sign up for store newsletters and email lists. This is the best way to stay informed on upcoming sales and events. Most thrift stores have major storewide sales that coincide with the big sales that happen at department stores. So if your go-to retail store is having a Labor Day sale, it is very likely that there will be a big sale happening at your favorite secondhand store!

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