Provo thrifting guide: 4 secondhand shops you shouldn’t miss

Provo’s vintage and thrift shops aren’t always easy to find. But if you know where to look beyond the local Deseret Industries store, you can strike gold.

Whether you live in Provo or rarely go, this list will make a shopping trip in the Utah County city well worth your time.

Two of these independent stores offer a curated vintage experience aimed at fans of the ’90s vibe, with graphic T-shirts, denim jackets, flannels, Utah Jazz hoodies, chunky shoes and logos everywhere.

The other two cater to a variety of styles — for treasure hunters, nostalgia seekers and style mavens looking for something more unique.

Thrifthood

This vintage clothing shop is tucked into a semi-hidden nook just southwest of the downtown Provo Temple, but the vibe when you first walk in is like entering your brother’s bedroom in 1995. And that’s exactly what Sissy McDade is going for.

The 1990s are “for sure where Provo’s at,” said McDade, co-owner of Thrifthood, which focuses on the ‘80s, ‘90s and ‘00s.

McDade played on the word “neighborhood” when naming the shop, because she and the two other “’90s babies” who started the business wanted it to have a strong community feel. That’s why the first room in the store is mostly a hang-out space, complete with a TV, video games and couches.

“It’s more than just the clothes,” McDade said. “You can come into Thrifthood, not buy anything, hang out with your friends, and then walk out feeling better about yourself or feeling that you had an experience.”

There’s plenty of clothing to browse, though, from corduroy button-down shirts to classic streetwear to racks of sports jerseys. There’s also a lit-up display of sneakers, to complete your ’90s look.

Thrifthood, 160 S. 100 West, Provo, Thrifthood.com. Instagram: @thrifthood_.

ThriftRX

This cozy and dreamy little thrift store is also tucked away from sight, but to find it, all you have to do is follow the signs, starting at a door that opens from Center Street.

Owner Quincy Houghton opened ThriftRX in 2021 as a sustainable and ethical “prescription fix” for the wasteful fast-fashion industry, she told The Salt Lake Tribune.

Houghton said via text that she curates her selection for a variety of subcultures and styles, including punk, cottagecore and more.

She also makes a point to be size-inclusive. “Plus sizes are notoriously nonexistent in the secondhand market,” Houghton said. “ThriftRX is the kind of store [where] anyone can find something, whether it’s a vintage gem or a wardrobe basic.”

The store is full of cute details like jewelry attached to playing cards, little stacks of vintage books, and a vending machine full of secondhand merchandise. There’s also a small selection of sustainable kitchen items, so you can go green beyond just your closet.

ThriftRX, 46 W. Center St., Provo, Instagram: @thrift.rx.

The Collective Underground

This “indoor farmers market” features handmade items like jewelry, art and candles from a rotating lineup of local creatives, but vintage clothing is a constant presence in this bright shop on Center Street.

On a Saturday in January, you could browse racks of ’90s-era graphic tees and button-down flannels on the main floor and upstairs, then pick a denim jacket from the floor-to-ceiling display.

One wall was also covered with purple Utah Jazz shirts and hoodies, several from the fateful 1998 NBA Finals.

The Collective Underground, 26 W. Center St., Provo, Instagram: @thecollectiveunderground.

Get Thrifty and Provo’s Vintage Groove

You probably wouldn’t know it by looking at Get Thrifty from the outside, but the secondhand store hidden inside a strip mall also contains a full-on record shop called Provo’s Vintage Groove.

The thrift store portion features clothing, knickknacks, books (organized by color), seasonal decorations, housewares and more. If you don’t see something you like, try coming in the next day — new stuff is always being added to the selection.

The record store section has a diverse mix of both new and vintage vinyl for crate-diggers to look through — everything from David Bowie to No Doubt to HAIM.

Get Thrifty and Provo’s Vintage Groove, 1700 N. State St., Provo, Instagram: @get_thrifty_provo, @provos.vintage.groove.

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