Now, when most people think of thrift shopping, they think of Macklemore’s song and all the crazy things you can get in a vintage store. But are those lyrics really true? Could thrift shopping possibly lead to finding your grandma’s coat or stealing your grandpa’s style?
Of course you can, and for a pretty decent price, too.
In fact, right here in downtown Columbia, we have multiple vintage thrift stores where you can get your crazy ‘80s afros or classic records by your favorite old-school artists. When you walk into these shops, you’ll definitely see things you don’t see in your average boutique or department store.
Our first stop is at **Maude Vintage**, which has been around since November 2000, and is owned by Sabrina Garcia-Rubio.
Maude Vintage carries not only vintage items, but also modern-day items it receives from customers. Maude Vintage buys, sells and trades items with customers seven days a week.
“We also give those customers 40 percent cash and 60 percent store credit,” Garcia-Rubio says. “However, those items must be from current fashion trends.”
Maude Vintage has racks full of cute and trendy sweaters, jeans and dresses priced anywhere from $16-$30. Not bad compared to pricey boutiques and department stores.
Of course, being a vintage thrift store, Maude Vintage carries unique items such as gorilla suits, pirate costumes, Victorian dresses and even ugly Christmas sweaters. Garcia-Rubio says that Maude Vintage has a 3,200-square-foot basement filled with costumes for Halloween, cosplays and any other special occasion.
In its basement, Maude has every genre of costume you could think of. They have Egyptian princess garb, cowboy clothes, flapper outfits, Native American attire and even kimonos.
Along one of the walls at Maude Vintage, you can see a variety of wigs, leggings, tights and gag items such as handcuffs and cigarettes to complement your police officer or flapper costume.
And since it’s that time of year, if you’re still in need of a Halloween costume or need some ideas, Maude Vintage is the way to go.
Another great vintage thrift store is **Absolute Vintage**, which has been around since 1999.
Absolute Vintage also has many unique items that you can use to dress up for many occasions. Its prices are very similar to Maude Vintage, and the store also offers costume rentals for any occasion.
“People usually give us items, or we go out to shows to collect items,” employee Colleen Blake says. “The owner has actually been in the (vintage thrift store) business for 20 years and has another store in Nebraska.”
Last, but not least, is **Leo’s Old Clothes.** Leo’s has been around since 1972, making this the oldest and “most vintage” out of the three thrift stores.
Despite Leo’s sketchy, hole-in-the-wall entrance with a sign saying “Please keep the door closed since we have kittens” and rickety stairs that seem to lead to an impending doom, Leo’s also has a wide array of interesting items.
With a whole bookcase dedicated to classic records and walls covered with old posters and masks, the atmosphere at Leo’s captures the essence of “vintage.”
Unlike Absolute Vintage and Maude Vintage, Leo’s doesn’t accept any costumes or items from customers. Instead, the owner goes to shows and has friends who give him these items, which he takes back to the shop.
Whether you’re looking for the most current fall fashion trends or want to find a unique costume for that Halloween costume party you were invited to at the last minute, you can find everything here in these thrift stores.