I love Denver's thrift stores

[Josie Rosy Posy]

I am originally from Springfield, Il where there were three good thrift stores that were great, but they got boring after a bit (what am I saying? no they didn't, I just wanted MORE!). In any case, Denver's got TONS of awesome thrift stores, as I have been finding out since I moved here. There's also a couple in Evergreen (just a hop, skip, and jump up I-70), but Evergreen's even better for garage sales. I'm writing a how-to article on how to go thrift shopping in the Denver area which I will submit once it's done in the next couple of days. So look for it and happy thrifting!

[Cookie]

Hey Josie Rosy Posie,

I can't wait to read your article on Denver thrift shopping!  I've never been to Denver and I'd love to read all about what's doing out there.  We just had a new thrift store open near us this weekend and we were there in a hot second picking up cool stuff left and right.  I got a Mr. Peanut 75th anniversary peanut jar to sit next to my Mrs. Butterworth syrup bottle on the counter.  I think they might get together soon.  Hmmm...Mrs. Butterworth-Peanut.  You know she would hyphenate!  She's got her own name established and all.  Anyway, thanks for participating in our site and we're glad you found us!

Cookie

[hayburneraddict]

Hi Josie Rosy Posie!
 I rotate once a month thrift shopping in Denver and the Colorado Springs..they are all great! By the way, try yard saling in Parker and Elizabeth!! they are amazing too!!

[pop_ pirate]

josie rosy where are you?...wondering if you have that denver area thrift guide together?   pop pirate

[Josie Rosy Posy]

Hello all! It's been a while, both since I've posted and since I've thrifted. I'm getting ready to graduate in December, so you can probably imagine that I'm pretty busy.
'Tis the season for thrift stores. Yesterday, I went around to some of my favorite places for what A LOT of other Denver area shoppers were out for: Halloween costumes! Not only was the place busy, but they had so much stuff! The woman at the register was exhausted and told me that they were seeing overflowing donations.
I succeeded in pulling together a pretty entertaining costume of everyone's favorite mild-mannered Daily Planet reporter for about $10, but only because I decided to buy a nice pair of khaki-colored Dickies. But everything I bought at Savers had a 50% off tag, including the pants.
There was only one piece missing from my getup, and that was the classic hat that Clark Kent and many other 40s era reporters wore. I could not find anything under the piles of hats at Savers, so I went to the Disabled American Veterans store on Alameda in Lakewood. That is what this post is really about.
The DAV was so clean and organized! I was in a bit of a hurry to make it to the Halloween party, so I just browsed, but there seemed to be a lot of vintage stuff. They even had a rack that looked like it was specifically set aside just for vintage ladies' hats. Though some of the stuff was priced pretty high (I found an awesome vintage purse, but couldn't spend $10 on it), they have 50% off EVERY Saturday. I can't say enough about how well-organized it was! The furniture in the back was all clean and in neat rows, so that nothing was out of testing reach. After going to Savers, which was crawling with screaming and rowdy kids, clothes thrown onto the floor in the aisles, items stuffed so tight on the racks that five items came off their hangers when I was just trying to pull one out, and dirty floors and dressing rooms (all of which I can understand with how busy they were), the DAV was a sanctuary I could have browsed in for hours! Check this store out, at 6803 Alameda in Lakewood and let me know if it's like this every day. It was great!

P.S. About that Denver Thrift guide... probably not for a while, at least after I graduate. As a journalism major and an English writing minor, I've got enough writing on my plate for the moment. Sorry to disappoint, I shouldn't have mentioned it until I finished it!

[SecondhandSophisticate]

Hi There!  So good to read your post.  I was wondering where you've been.

If I am ever in Denver, I will definetely go thrifting.  Your experience sounds great.

Every time I see a piece of Red Tourister Luggage I think of you.

Congrats on getting your degree!

Ciao,
SeSo

[Cookie]

Here is Josie's article on thrifting in Denver that appeared in our first issue of the magazine last August 2006, and here is the link to the actual issue that includes a cute picture of Jose with her dog Boom Boom http://www.thethriftshopper.com/sections/magazine/2006/aug2006.htm#1a3

MILE HIGH THRIFTING
Treasure in the Foothills of the Rockies
by Josephine Klemaier a.k.a. Josie Rosy Posie

Growing up under the wings of the two thriftiest women I know, my mom and my grandma, I have inevitably become just as much of a penny pincher and pack rat as they are. After leaving the nest in central Illinois and moving to the Denver area two years ago, I have filled my apartment and closet with everything from thrift stores in Denver and the surrounding cities. After years as a thrifter and with help from thrifting friends, I have learned just what it takes to find those diamonds in the rough. Here are some of the places in Denver that have helped me settle down and fit into this beautiful city in the lap of the Rocky Mountains:

The Arc Thrift Store
1515 S. Broadway
Denver, CO 80210
Tel:(303)777-3703

This is a great start if you're new to Denver because it's on Broadway, which is also lined with tons of antique stores, great restaurants, and feeds you right into "LoDo," or lower downtown Denver. I went to the Arc on a Saturday during their half-off sale and found the couch for my apartment that I had been searching so long for, a steal at $20. This metro-area thrift store shows its local color in the items it sells. I have found everything from classic cowboy boots, which Denver is great for all around, and vintage plaid leisure suits to newer clothing from Anne Taylor and the Limited. I have a feeling that this is a store that thrifters give to because it has so many quirky items. However, be ready to bump elbows with crowds of other thrifters at this popular spot, especially on weekends. And if you have a chance and are there on the right day, delve into the garage across the street where a couple of guys open up on the weekends to sell some of the most amazing antiques I've ever seen. Since they're only there on certain days, they're willing to haggle on items they haven't been able to get rid of.
 Savers Thrift Department Store
7667 W. Jewel Ave.
Lakewood, CO 80232
Tel:(303)763-9343

This is the Savers that is actually right down the street from where I live and across the street from were I bank and buy groceries. Needless to say, I have to limit my visits, but it really is a great place for those 99-cent specials, and I have found some of the most amazing fabric there. They keep it on hangers on the back racks in and amongst the towels and bedsheets. This Savers is great for nickknacks and men's clothes, but I haven't had much luck in the women's, except for the shoes.

Goodwill Industries Thrift Store
1450 S. Wadsworth Blvd.
Lakewood, CO 80232
Tel:(303)987-3678

This Goodwill is near Cherry Creek, a more affluent shopping district in Denver. On my first trip to this store I found some great name-brand buys in mint condition at better-than-liquidation prices. It was evident that a nearby Target and Mervyns sent their overstock here. There was also plenty of high-quality furniture and appliances.

Of course, this only scratches the surface of the thrift stores in Denver, but they have served me very well. I urge you to explore, share, and good luck thrifting!

[Josie Rosy Posy]

Oh that photo! I thought it disappeared! Oh well, I'm never ashamed. I didn't forget about that article, just thought everyone was asking about something more comprehensive.

[Cookie]

Sorry, no disappearing.  Like most thrifters, we are pack rats and keep everything, even online back issues of the magazine.