Thrifting + Antiquing in Toronto!
Welcome back, DIY friends! As an avid thrift / antique lover, I have been to some of the best thrift shops in my part of the world: the Greater Toronto Area, known to us locals as the “GTA”. I thought I would take you on a little tour of some of my favourite places to look for treasures.
The Joneses
First up: the town of Millbrook, ON where I love to visit thejonesesstore. This store is the cutest little thrift/antique store ever, and it is jam-packed with beautifully curated antiques + collectibles of all kinds. There is always a wide selection of kitchenware, furniture, art, antique books, beautiful decor, and knickknacks to choose from. Charlotte, the owner has such a good eye and finds really unique things, so it is almost impossible to leave this treasure trove without buying something!
I give this space 5/5 STARS for it’s unique finds at a SUPER reasonable price!
FUN TIP: don’t forget to ask Charlotte when her next estate sale is happening <3
Orono Antique Market
Orono Antique is one of my favourite antique shops. This giant space is packed with incredible antiques ranging from furniture to books to household items. It feels less curated than some of the smaller antique stores, but that just means you get the thrill of the hunt, and you never know what you might find. For example, if you are looking for a life-size cardboard cutout of Barack Obama, I’ve seen one there! This is a really fun store and one of the best places I know to find unique, interesting, one-of-a-kind items.
5/5 STARS for it’s kind staff, size and unique finds!
Uncle Joe's Attic
This shop is so much fun! Of all my favourite second-hand furniture stores, this is probably the most "kitschy". There are always so many cool things and really low prices. Lots of old furniture, mirrors, fun little knickknacks, art, and kitchenware too. Picture an old cabin by the lake that is furnished with items you found at your grandparents' house. That's the feel of Uncle Joe’s Attic! It's important when you're thrifting that you don't just visit the high-end boutiques. With every different vibe comes different possibilities of treasures to discover. Some of the best thrift stores are ones like this that are vibrant and well-trafficked and put out new arrivals all the time. You just never know what you will find.
4/5 STARS
Ray Cobbing Antiques and Collectibles
This is a small, quaint store in the town of Castleton, ON. This store is full of things like gorgeous baskets, fun lighting and furniture, art, and collectibles. You need to move slowly through every inch of this store and just take it all in. Small town stores like this are rare and beautiful, and I could not encourage you more to check out any you can find in your area.
Consignment Corner Shoppe
This independent antique and thrift shop is located in the community of Port Hope, ON. It is a unique consignment shop with two floors of quality antiques, collectibles, art, and household goods. This is true of most thrift stores, but I really encourage you to visit the Corner Shoppe (or places like it in your area) when you have time to browse. Don’t rush, you will miss out!
The Barn Emporium
This is a quirky collectibles store located in an actual old barn in Garden Hill, Ontario. You just never know what you will find here! It’s a great place to find vintage and antique furniture and housewares and they even have an impressive selection of old LP’s if that’s your thing! Their hours of operation are small - only opening every Saturday, but it’s well WORTH the visit, especially with so many antique spots around the corner.
Primitive Designs
While not an actual thrift store, everything here is handmade and one of a kind, so it’s kind of the same experience! You won’t find items like this at any old retail store. They carry everything from drums, live edge slabs, vessel sinks made from petrified wood and river stone, clothing, jewellery, accessories, paintings, carvings, tiki bars and huts, garden decor, and more! The owners handpick every single item, and you’re always sure to find something interesting (if not downright bizarre!). It’s also become a destination for photos, having life-sized metal dinosaurs, ship-wrecks with monsters, transformers, GOT thrones and more on location - A great place to bring the little ones!
Meyersburg Flea Market & Antiques
This flea market is a whole experience rather than a single store! A multi-vendor indoor and outdoor year-round flea market, you will find stalls selling antiques, leather belts, old road signs, cheap cleaning supplies, clothing, collectible cards, and everything in between. Your head will be spinning by the end, but you’re sure to find something quirky and perfect for your space!
One of a Kind Antique Mall
Located in Woodstock, ON, this place is a MUST-GO if you are ever in the area! It is Canada's largest antique mall with THREE floors and 1000 booths! Filled with antique and vintage furniture, electronics, collectibles, clothing, old signage, funky old decor items (you get the idea), there is something for everyone here. I would recommend making a day of it (Pack snacks and water) and seeing as much as possible while you visit! Every corner is filled with something special.
Also, fun fact: DID YOU KNOW THIS PLACE IS HAUNTED? Watch out for spooky happenings!
Green Turtle Salvage
This is a very special shop that actually requires an appointment if you want to visit! Located in Cobourg, Ontario, You can find special antique tools, furniture, decor, art, and so much more. Every piece is carefully curated and tells a story of a time past. I love it here.
HONOURABLE MENTIONS…
Vinnies
Being on the east end of the GTA, the Vinnie’s location I visit most is located in Peterborough, ON. It has a storefront that says, "feel good shopping thrift store", and I couldn't agree more! Vinnies is run by the Society of St. Vincent de Paul, a nonprofit partner. The profit from their stores goes to benefit people in need from the local community, which is a great cause and makes me feel good about purchasing the pre-loved items I find there. It is a great place to find vintage clothing, household goods, art, textiles, furniture, and everything else you would expect to find in a secondhand store of this size.
Habitat for Humanity Restore
This next store is less about home decor (although there is always some of that too) and more about renovation materials, tools, appliances, and large second-hand furniture. Restore is another nonprofit that uses the proceeds from its sales to benefit community members and I just love that. Stores that make a positive impact on the world around them get my business every time! If you’re looking for larger furniture items, the RESTORE is the place to start! They are situated everywhere, so look up the closest one to you and have fun!
Value Village
I love a classic vintage shopping experience, and you really don't get much more classic than a Value Village boutique and donation centre! You guys know the drill: books, household items, clothing, home decor, and everything in between. Over time, I’ve been pretty disappointed with the price mark-ups at VV, since the rise in second-hand shopping - so BE AWARE and challenge their prices!
Watch all of my Thrift + Antique Adventures on YouTube!
Are you curious to see what my thrifting/antiquing/estate sale shopping adventures looks like? Check out this playlist!
And there you have it!: a small snapshot of the thrift/antique stores in the GTA . If this post has piqued your interest in thrifting, I would encourage you to do what we did and take a couple of days to visit a wide variety of different shops and styles. After all, thrifting is rarely a one-stop shop. You really need to take your time, wander around, and let the unique finds find YOU.
Do you have a favourite thrift store in your area? Tag me @diydanie and give them a shoutout, or leave a comment!
Until next time!
