Message from Maggie:  I come from a long line of thrifters. My sweet mother volunteers at our church thrift shop on Hilton Head Island once a week and is always coming home with treasures.  While I love to thrift, my neighborhood in DC has a pretty serious thrift store drought.  I typically cross the river to Arlington, VA to get my thrifting fix.  If you are in the DC metro area, below are my recommendations for Arlington, VA.

Prepare: 

• Bring cash!  Many of these places are cash only.  
• Pack a tape measurer. You want to be sure it’ll fit before you buy.
• Bring antibacterial hand sanitizer.  Just in case, use it when you leave!

Recommendations:

Arlington

Glebe Road Goodwill
10 S Glebe Rd, Arlington, VA 22204

In a nutshell:  Arlington’s premier store

Pros: tons of turn over, close to DC

Cons: major parking problems, crowded, dusty

Columbia Pike Thrift Shop
4101 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204

In a nutshell:  A tiny gem!

Pros: friendly staff, easy parking, close to DC, very organized, everything clearly labeled

Cons: tiny, no big items like furniture, cash only, restrictive hours

Columbia Pike Goodwill
4714 Columbia Pike, Arlington, VA 22204

In a nutshell:  Huge selection

Pros: huge, two floors, lots of big items like furniture

Cons:  tough parking, crowded, dusty

Falls Church

Capitol Caring

6172 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22044

In a nutshell:  Skip!

Pros: Easy parking, nearby other good thrift stores

Cons: Small, hardly any merchandise, expensive

Falls Church Goodwill
6136 Arlington Blvd, Falls Church, VA 22044

In a nutshell: If you are in the neighborhood, worth a stop.

Pros: clean, organized, easy parking

Cons: far from DC

Clock Tower Thrift Shop
2860 Annandale Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042

In a nut shell: Weird place with lots of treasures

Pros: lots of seasonal stuff, tons of furniture, friendly staff

Cons: crowded aisles, far from DC

Annandale

Annandale Road Goodwill
2936 Annandale Rd, Falls Church, VA 22042

In a nut shell:  Worth the trip!

Pros: huge, easy to navigate, ample parking, friendly staff, clean

Cons: far from DC