Eclectic Vintage And Thrift Stores In The East Bay

Nobody loves hand-me-downs from their cousins, but everyone loves to save money. These 5 vintage, thrift shops in San Francisco’s east bay will keep both your wardrobe and your wallet happy with timeless fashions and glorious colors.

Mars Mercantile

Located on Berkeley’s famous Telegraph Ave, this quirky vintage shop has the largest selection of flannel and boho skirts in the area, a must have for the boho grunge girl. With reasonable prices and a variety of clothes from different styles and eras including 1920s chic and 1970s leather, Mars has something for everyone. This two story shop is also perfect for finding Halloween and themed party costumes.

Pretty Penny

Upon entering Pretty Penny you notice its clean, modern look, a nice change from other vintage crowded vintage stores. Owner Sarah Dunbar actually began her career as a buyer from Mars and having had experience in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Dunbar knows how to snag good vintage finds. Her shop, located in the Rockridge District of Oakland, carries a sturdy assortment of vintage boots, fantastic collection of beautiful jewelry, and even a men’s section located upstairs. And if you are looking for more, you can find Dunbar’s second shop Elder and Pine, also in Oakland.

Rare Bird

Created by Erica Stone-Rees, Rare Bird is a constantly evolving space not only in which to shop, but to create and inspire. The shop, which was constructed on reused and recycled material, contains both new and vintage hand-crafted goodies including clothing, artwork and jewelry. And if that isn’t enough, Rare Bird offers art classes of various kinds including screen printing, clay, fabric and much more.

Out of the Closet

And finally for those just looking for a simple thrift. Though Out of the Closet is a chain, there is a reason why it proves so successful. Located throughout the U.S., Out of the Closet thrift stores help benefit the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. With super affordable prices, you can find nice quality clothes without hurting your wallet and simultaneously help out a great cause.

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