Image Description: Racks of gently used clothes hang in neat rows. Three university-aged students examine garments on hangers, smiling and appearing to enjoy themselves. The scene highlights students engaging with second-hand goods to support their basic needs. Image source: https://today.wayne.edu/news/2022/10/26/the-w-pantry-and-thrift-shop-working-to-end-student-clothing-and-food-insecurity-49435
After high school I moved to Victoria BC and discovered a love of thrifting. I love treasure hunting for the perfect item, and I love a good deal. Of course, it鈥檚 also about sustainability, thinking about the future, and saving money. Things are expensive, and the quality of items like fast fashion just isn鈥檛 the same. It took me a long time to get into thrifting in Kingston, mostly due to a lack of transportation. The bus system, while good, didn鈥檛 appeal to my thrift hopping. A friend mentioned that her cohort would rent a car from Communauto, split the cost, and make a day of it. It got the wheels turning and eventually, after three years in Kingston, I signed up for the Car Share. I鈥檓 still not convinced I鈥檓 on the best plan, but it has offered a lot of freedom.
To be a good thrifter, you need to know where to go, what to expect, and what to buy where. You also need to get yourself in the thrifting mood. For me, that means I鈥檓 not hungry, I鈥檓 in a good mood, and not rushed. I bring some snacks, my thermos of Earl Grey tea, headphones, reusable bags, and of course anything I want to donate.
Talize Thrift Store
Address: 540 Gardiners Rd, Kingston, ON K7M 3X9, Canada
Phone: (613) 877-2056
Hours: 9AM - 9PM Monday - Saturday, Sunday 10AM - 8PM
Dog Friendly
10% Student discount every day
Change rooms
Bathroom
Canadian Owned
Take returns for store credit within 7 days
When you donate: $5 coupon toward a $25 purchase
Talize is one of my go-to thrift stores for several reasons. Prices are consistently low, and they offer a 10% student discount. Donating items earns you a $5 coupon toward a $25 purchase, which can be combined with the student discount. I鈥檝e found high-quality items at reasonable prices, including barely worn plum Cole Haan Oxfords ($12鈥$15), leather Nine West mules ($12鈥$15), an H&M long-sleeve ruffle dress ($12鈥$15), several short-sleeve work shirts ($10 each), and Planet stainless steel bento box sets ($5). Talize accepts returns within a week for store credit, which is helpful if you have buyer鈥檚 remorse or accidentally buy a knockoff (as I did 鈥淏urberr England鈥). They have fitting rooms and a bathroom, which makes thrifting much easier. The company is Canadian-owned, though proceeds do not go directly to charity. The store is also dog-friendly and open late.
From Talize, it鈥檚 easy to hop over to Value Village, which is one of the largest thrift store locations in Canada.
Value Village
Address: 1300 Bath Rd Unit A1C, Kingston, ON K7M 2E9, Canada
Phone: (613) 536-5051
Hours: 10AM - 9PM Monday - Saturday, Sunday 10AM - 8PM
Dog Friendly
Rewards Program
No Change Rooms
Bathrooms
Return for exchange only within 14 days
When you donate: coupon for 20% off up to $50 purchase
The first time I visited this Value Village location I was completely overwhelmed. It鈥檚 huge. An employee told me it鈥檚 one of the biggest in Canada. There鈥檚 a washroom, but no fitting rooms, so most people head to the ends of the aisles where mirrors are set up to try on clothing. I usually wear biker shorts and a tight-fitting top under my clothes to make trying things on easier. Another pro tip: I take photos of myself in what I try on and carry items around for a while. It鈥檚 easy to get caught up in the experience and leave with things I don鈥檛 need. This is especially useful since they have an exchange-only return policy. Prices are generally higher than other thrift stores, but for name brands, it can be worth it. I鈥檝e found two little black dresses: a black merino wool Club Monaco sweater dress ($30鈥$45) and a black silky Frank and Oak dress ($30鈥$45) and four brand new Le Creuset! red custard dishes ($6 for the set). They don鈥檛 offer a student discount, but they do have a Super Savers rewards program, though I haven鈥檛 seen much benefit from it yet. Donating items earns a coupon for 20% off a purchase up to $50. Like Talize, this Value Village is open late and dog friendly. Since the two stores are close to each other, I can easily hop from one to the other.
Salvation Army Family Thrift Store
Address: 277 Bath Rd, Kingston, ON K7M 2X6, Canada
Phone: (613) 544-4396
Hours: 10AM - 5PM store, donation 10AM - 4PM Monday through Saturday
Not dog friendly
No Change Rooms
Bathrooms
Student discount: Fridays you get 25% off as a student, the best student discount I have found so far
When you donate: choose from three coupon deals: $5 off a $25 purchase, 50% off any item $10 or less, or 15% off a piece of furniture
Another stop along this route is the Salvation Army Family Thrift Store. I don鈥檛 always go here since I cannot bring Charlie and their hours are limited, but it is a hidden gem with amazing prices. The last time I visited I found beautiful little crystal vases ($3鈥$4 each), small vintage bowls ($1 each), a blanket scarf from Zara ($7), a small vintage flying machine toy ($3.50), and some items from the $1 rack, including a Joe Fresh pleated black dress and an 80s blazer for my Christmas staff party. Items can be returned with the original receipt and tags within 10 days for a straight exchange. There seems to be an older crowd here, which meant the items I was interested in were priced to sell. The store is smaller and has only one mirror to share, but that was never an issue. It鈥檚 way less overwhelming than Value Village. The store is affordable, full of treasures, and gives back to the community. Proceeds support programs run by The Salvation Army Kingston Citadel Community & Family Services including Camp Programs, Community Choice Pantry, Housing Services, Community Gardens, Life Skills Workshops, Income Tax Clinics, and Voucher Programs that allow people to shop at their thrift stores for free. The also support Kingston Harbour Light, which helps people with sober living. They are always giving back. For example, if someone comes in and is in need, they provide clothing and blessing bags filled with essentials like toiletries.
This is Part 1 of How to Survive Grad School: Thrifting on a Grad Student Budget. I鈥檒l keep you posted as I make my way through different communities, my experiences with online thrifting, and share my personal experiences along the way.
As this marks the end of the Chinese Year of the Snake, I鈥檒l be shedding my own skin and donating items I no longer need. Perhaps this is a reminder to do the same?