the Philadephia thrifting scene

The Philladelphia thrifting scene is great! There are many REAL THRIFT stores
here, as opposed to consignment and resale shops (although plenty of those,
too -- but I go to those only if I just happen to be right in front). There are plenty
of “Salv’s” -- my favorites are the one in Roxborough and the one on Torresdale
ave. (See the directory on elsewhere on this site.) There are also the “Villages”,
also listed on this site. There are five Villages in all (counting the one in South
Jersey), and about ten Salv’s. I make frequent visits to all of the non-South-
Jersey Villages, and the convenient-to-me Salv’s. (I also like the one on Kensing-
ton and Allegheny, especially since it’s down the road (about 3/ 4 of a mile) from
the Kensington Village.) I think the difference between the Salv’s and the Villages
is that the Villages tend to be less expensive (and there are usually THREE half-
price color tags, which often means that practically EVERYTHING is half-price),
but the Salv’s often have more stylish clothes (but not significantly so -- also,
every Wednesday at most of the Salv’s is what they call “Family Day”, which
means that everything is half-price EXCEPT for “the bad color” tag. So of
course I make it my business to shop at the Salv’s (more than one, if I have the
tiime) on Wednesdays.

There are also some other good ones in Philly -- again, see the directory on
this site. Circle is good, a relatively small “biggie” but extremely reasonable in
price; American Thrift on 8th and Wolf is definitely worth the trip; and the one on
55th and Walnut has its own special character; I go there maybe once every two
months. And the teenagers have long ago discovered Second Mile near 45th
and Walnut (ON 45th), since it’s sort of close to the U. of PA campus, but they
keep getting enough new stuff so that their big store is well-stocked. Somehow,
though, I usually don’t wind up getting much in that one; so many of their items
ALMOST make it, for me. But of course that’s a very individual thing, and that
one is a lot of fun to shop at, especially since they have a separate small building
for housewares and bric-a-brac and toys, etc. (Also, it’s down the street from a
great Ethiopian restaurant, which is open ‘til 2:00 A.M. -- rare for Philly. And
the thrift store itself is open pretty late -- 8:00 most evenings.)

I’m sure there’s much more to say but that’s it for now. DEFINITELY, if you’re in
town, you could easily spend a week thrifting. (In fact, a friend of mine from out
ot state comes to visit me and the two of us do a week-long (or half-week-long,
depending on our work schedules) “thrift-a-thon”.) And, although my favorite
place in the whole world is New York City, I wouldn’t LIVE there (even if I
could...) b/ c the thrifting scene isn’t as great as Philly.