Everyone knows hot girls don’t gate-keep, and Des Moines is home to the prettiest girls in the world, after all. We’re here to spill our long overdue guide to the best thrift stores Des Moines has to offer. 

Whether you’ve seen everything Salvation Army and Goodwill has to offer, or you’re looking to support smaller businesses while keeping sustainability in mind, thrifting is great for all ends of the fashion spectrum. So make room in your closet and get ready to revamp your wardrobe thanks to these stellar stores.

We’ll be covering vintage curators and stores separately.

Written by Vada Abrahamson + Madison Stano, DSMG Contributors

A Des Moines Thrifting Guide– Because Everything Deserves a Second Chance

Thrift Stores 

Hope Ministries Thrift Store

  • Store Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 7 p.m.
  • Donation Hours: Monday – Saturday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • 2 Locations Across the Metro
    • DSM Location: 500 E Army Post Road Des Moines, IA 50315
    • Urbandale Location: 4640 Merle Hay Rd., Urbandale, IA 50322

With two locations serving Urbandale and Des Moines, Hope Ministries Thrift store is a must for any thrifting day. The Des Moines location was even voted best thrift store in Des Moines, rightfully so. 

You’ll find clothing for all ages and genders, jewelry, decor, home goods, toys, and so much more. Like any thrift store, you’ll find items with flashy name brands and even discover new ones you haven’t heard of. Before you take your armfulls of new goodies to the cash register, you can try them all on in their complementary fitting rooms to make sure you’re getting the look you envisioned.

Any frequent thrifters won’t need this disclaimer, but thrifting is a game of patience. With new items arriving daily you may have to make multiple stops to find something that catches your eye. Think of it as a life-long scavenger hunt for the perfect wardrobe.

Every dollar you spend is used by Hope Ministries to supply food, shelter, and support to those who are in need in our community.

All the details.

Many Hands Thrift Market

  • Store Hours: Monday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. & Sunday,  1 p.m. – 5p.m.
  • Donation Hours: Tuesday – Friday, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. & Saturday, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
  • 5 Locations Across the Metro
    • Clive Location: 8801 University Avenue, Clive, Iowa, 50325
    • Grimes Location: 2900 SE Grimes Blvd, Grimes, IA 50111
    • Indianola Location: 1801 West 2nd Avenue, Indianola, Iowa-  (Closed Sundays)
    • Merle Hay Location: 4353 Merle Hay Road, Des Moines, IA, 50310
    • Spencer Location: 1019 South Grand Ave. Suite #6, Spencer, IA 51301- (Closed Sundays)

Before we dive into the greatness that Many Hands has to offer, we should tell you this thrift store (Grimes location) is huge. We’re talking 15,000 square feet of second-hand goodness. If you’re the kind of person that could spend hours perusing clothing racks and shelves full of art and trinkets, make sure you go when you have extra time on your hands.

Many Hands has locations in Clive, Grimes, Merle Hay, and they are set to open in Indianola this spring, making it easy for people all across the metro to shop till they drop. 

With many stores, a lot of space, and even more products, you’ll find clothing for every member of your family ranging from casual to formal. They are also home to a lot of home furnishings, decor, jewelry, toys, and anything else you could think of.

Not only is this a great stop to fill empty spaces in your home, but shopping with Many Hands gives you the opportunity to help others while having fun. 100 percent of their profits go to local and global missions. On a global level, they are part of Many Hands for Haiti and locally they partner with Wildwood Hills Ranch, Central Iowa Shelter Services, Dads With a Purpose, and more.

All the details.

St. Vincent De Paul Vintage & Thrift

  • 3 Locations Across the Metro
    • 6th Ave Location: 1426 Sixth Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa 50314
      • Store Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
      • Donation Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Windsor Heights Location: 801 73rd St, Windsor Heights, IA 50324
      • Store Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. & Sunday, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
      • Donation Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
    • Army Post Rd. Location: 520 Army Post Road, Des Moines, Iowa 50315
      • Store Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. & Sunday, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
      • Donation Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.

St. Vincent de Paul has three locations in the metro, two right here in Des Moines and one in Windsor Heights. The Windsor Heights shop is the newest addition and features a large space with plenty of thrifted gems to find. They have a massive marvelous window wall that you can’t miss, we recommend grabbing a bite to eat at Little Brother then taking the four minute drive down 73rd to check out this space. 

The Army Post location operates out of a much smaller space, but offers just as many great finds and has a vintage aspect. If you’re looking for great music and a calm environment while you thrift, we can’t recommend this place enough. 

Aside from having aisles filled with must-have products, St. Vincent de Paul gives back to the community in their own unique way. They help members of our community with food, clothing, housing referrals, career planning, adult education services, domestic violence support, prison reentry services, and more.

All the details.

Not New Shop

  • Store Hours: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., Wednesday, 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. & Saturday, 9 a.m. – 1 p.m.
  • Not New Shop, 705 E University Ave Des Moines, IA 50316

The whole idea behind thrifting is to find something new to you that gets a second chance to be styled rather than in a landfill. Not New Shop’s name and contents help you out with just that. They have a variety of clothing, purses, home goods, furnishings, and more to choose from. 

When you’re not browsing for your next great outfit, you’ll also find high-energy and passionate workers who are happy to help you every step of the way. Not New Shop proudly supports The Iowa Lutheran Hospital, their patients, and families, so you can shop on knowing that your money is being put back into your community.

All the details.

Fab Rehab

  • Store Hours: Wednesday, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m. & Saturday, 12 p.m. – 5 p.m.
  • Fab Rehab, 2802 Indianola Avenue, Des Moines, IA, United States, Iowa

If your thrifting needs are made up of home decor and unique pieces to make your space your own, Fab Rehab is the place for you. They’ve been in Des Moines for just over six years and are home to some of the most unique pieces you’ll find.

From stunning wall art to character filled furniture and even books, you’re sure to leave with a beloved piece to add to your home. While the shelves are the main focus of a thrift store, you’ll also find a very passionate shop owner who might even snap your picture to post on Facebook. Thrifting and a mini modeling gig– what more could a Des Moines Girl ask for?

All the details.

Pearl Place Partners: Women’s Consignment 

  • 5601 Hickman Rd, Des Moines, Iowa
  • Mon – Sat 10:00 am – 5:00 pm. Open Thur to 7:00 pm.

Formerly known as Barbara’s consignment, this women’s consignment shop is under new ownership the last 2 years. Check it out for women’s fashion consignment.

What’s the best thing you’ve found when thrift shopping in DSM? Any fun pop-up events you’ve been to? Give us ALL the details!

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