From graphic tees to silk and fleece, the South Side paves the way for a lot of Chicago’s looks. In the border of Chicago Lawn and Gage Park, fashion shows up in a big way at Thrift LLC, a Black-owned thrift store and boutique.
An oasis in an area that’s not known for its fashion, Thrift is carving a space in the concrete jungles of Chicago. It’s the kind of store that all ‘hoods need, a place filled with affordable treasures and good vibes galore. It gives you that small shop feeling, with no snobby attitude.
As a fashionista on a budget, I fell in love with Thrift the moment I stepped inside. I grew up going to Village Discount and Unique: secondhand stores that were not pretty to shop at but that were filled to the brim with treasures. Just a couple of weeks ago when I was at Thrift I was eyeing a pair of beautiful Coach rain boots, and it instantly took me back to buying my first designer bag at a Unique thrift store in that same area.
Finding a fashion treasure at Village Discount prices makes you feel good. You feel good about a purchase that didn’t break the bank. You feel good for supporting a family-run business. You feel good about the pieces you bought because you know they were handled with care.
Fashion changes and Thrift keeps up. But the most fashionable thing about Thrift is not its clothes, it is its fierce support for Black-owned businesses and entrepreneurs. Throughout the space you will experience Black excellence in many forms. From the artwork on the walls, to the small businesses who are able to sell their products at Thrift, to owner Jeremy Wright himself. A powerhouse of talent and an angel of a human being, he runs Thrift and all of its events, such as sip and shops.
Thrift welcomes customers with open arms. It’s a place that appeals to the fashion-forward side of me, at an accessible price point. Thrift is a fashion girlie’s dream, and a great place for men looking to upgrade their style. There’s no need to leave the South Side to find fashionable pieces—a trip to Thrift can result in a Sunday outfit for everyone!
Thrift LLC, 2517 W. 59th St., (312) 788-7250, @thrift_llc on Instagram. thriftllc.net.