Sick of sifting through racks of bland clothes at the thrift store in search of the perfect find? This list of perfectly curated second-hand stores is for you.
Each shop in the following list is in or around downtown St. Catharines, making them easily accessible for Brock students looking for a new winter wardrobe.
Out of the Past:
Located at 340 St. Paul Street, Out of the Past is a colourful and quirky shop that has a diverse vintage collection. While the store’s main export is clothing, Out of the Past also sells jewellery, books, music and home décor. Known for its eccentric colour pallet and fun eclectic theme, Out of the Past is for the most fashionable friend. The store has a variety of hours this winter, open 11 a.m to 5 p.m Monday to Thursday, 11 a.m to 6 p.m on Friday, 10 a.m to 5 p.m on Saturday and 12 p.m to 5 p.m on Sunday.
While the storefront isn’t open all the time, Out of the Past ships worldwide. Their products can be found on their website. More information about the store, their hours and the items they are selling can be found on their Instagram.
Roly Poly Records & Vintage:
Located at 314 St. Paul Street, Roly Poly Records & Vintage is a mixed bag of records, vintage ware, accessories and other eccentric objects. Unlike the other shops on this list, Roly Poly Records & Vintage has a diverse collection of records, ranging from 1940s big band to modern sounds such as The Weeknd and Taylor Swift. The store is open 11 a.m to 6 p.m Wednesday to Sunday and 12 a.m to 6 p.m on Monday. They are closed on Tuesdays.
Roly Poly Records ships worldwide from their Instagram, where they also post pictures of their wares.
Studio Shop:
Located at 433 St. Paul Street, The Studio Shop hosts a curated selection of vintage fashion, jewellery, home décor and art from multiple local artists. Unlike other vintage shops, clothes don’t go there to die. The Studio Shop is constantly changing with the season, always bringing in new vintage items that are always on-trend. The store is open from 11 a.m to 6 p.m Thursday to Saturday and 11 a.m to 4 p.m on Sunday.
The business is connected to the Niagara Artists Centre, which can also be found in downtown St. Catharines. More information about The Studio Shop and its mission can be found on their Instagram.
Pink Bubblegum Vintage Boutique:
Located at 148 St. Paul Street, Pink Bubblegum Vintage is one of the prettiest vintage stores in the Niagara Region. With most of its collection coming from the 50s, 60s and 70s, Pink Bubblegum Vintage sells clothing, jewellery and a variety of home goods that are all curated to create the store’s dreamy atmosphere. The store is open 11 a.m to 5 p.m Tuesday to Thursday and 12 p.m to 6 p.m on Friday and Saturday. The store is closed on Mondays and Sundays.
With new items arriving every day, it would be difficult not to find something to like at Pink Bubblegum Vintage. More information about the store can be found on their Instagram.
Grandma’s Basement:
While it used to have a storefront on St. Paul Street, Grandma’s Basement moved completely online in 2022. But the thrift scene in downtown St. Catharines still holds Grandma’s Basement as one of their own, so it still has a place on this list. A unique shop with perfectly cultivated fashion finds, Grandma’s Basement holds semi-regular drops of clothes, shoes, accessories and home goods.
The business thrives on upcycling, with the owner finding a variety of pieces from thrift stores all over and selling them. This method helps a low-key thrifter find some quality pieces without having to sift through the stacks for too long.
More information about Grandma’s Basement can be found on their Instagram. Their latest drop is now live on their website.
In a world of fast fashion, shopping second-hand is a great way to be sustainable and fiscally responsible all while looking super cool this new year.