Montreal Thrift Stores
The city’s secondhand and vintage shops, lovingly referred to as friperies, are renowned for their abundant selection of retro 90s and y2k apparel that’s far cheaper than the equivalent from contemporary brands. While the Mile End and Plateau are home to most of the shops, there are many hidden gems spread out across Montreal and its outskirts.
The ever-savvy team at Marche Floh suggests exploring beyond the usual neighbourhoods for a better selection and to find fresh finds. For instance, Le Dressing in Montreal's eponymous district is known for its fresh selection of secondhand streetwear from the likes of Shein and Club Theos, but they also offer up some cool vintage pieces. Similarly, in the Saint-Henri area, ERA Vintage Wear offers up present-day runway fashions alongside a curated selection of transformed vintage garments—like a silk chemise revamped with dye or a pair of cool two-tone denim jeans.
Another great way to score fresh vintage is to hit up local yard sales or search for clothing swaps on Facebook. Some of Marche Floh's favourite pieces come from searching for bargains at these events. They suggest keeping an eye out for garage sale signs and checking Facebook Marketplace regularly for new listings.
Montreal is bursting with independently owned secondhand stores that have become a go-to destination for shoppers on a budget. In addition to offering a great selection of clothes, these thrifty boutiques often carry unique artisan goods that give the store a boutique feel.
For instance, in the Mile End, KILOFripe (3800 St-Denis Street) is a hidden treasure for black-and-white art tees and other retro workwear staples. The shop has been open for nine years and its founders explain that they love scouring local yard sales for gems to stock their minimalistic, uncluttered space.
If you're looking for something with more of a rock edge, head to Plateau favorite Hadio (314 Mont-Royal Avenue East) where t-shirts and jean jackets reign supreme. Then there's Eva B on lower Main, a funky emporium that’s a bit chaotic but still has a punk spirit and sells everything from tie dye tees to dresses starting at $20. Across the street is Eva D, which has a more curated selection of older vintage—including rentable gowns for special occasions—and carries a selection of contemporary clothing as well.
When you need to add a splash of style to your living space, there are also some amazing thrift stores that specialise in furniture and decor. The original permanent flea in the city, the St-Michel Flea Market (7707 Shelley Avenue), is a maze of chaos that’s home to vintage glassware and Queen Anne chesterfields, and it’s the best place in town for vintage home goods.
Finally, for those who don’t want to buy and then throw away their newly found items, some Montreal thrift stores take the guesswork out of scoring that perfect fit by offering a buy-sell-trade program. The innovative shopper-friendly stores offer store credit in exchange for modern and vintage clothing, footwear and accessories. These credits can be used at the Empire Exchange locations in the Mile End and in Little Italy or online at their sister store, Annex Vintage.