Whether it’s for envi­ronmental, financial or fashion-related reasons, ev­eryone seems to be crazy about thrifting lately. Though you might hit the occasional jackpot, going to thrift stores can sometimes take hours out of your day and still be fruit­less, leaving you frustrated. I’m looking at you, Value Vil­lage.

That’s where these locally-based, carefully curat­ed stores come in. Each a pro­jection of the owner’s aesthetic and personality, these stores have gone ahead and done the shopping and restoring so your thrift clothes are ready to go, right off the rack. Here are three local thrift stores to help spice up your closet.

Better Off Duds

If you’re into authentic vin­tage clothes, this is the place for you. Based in the heart of the historic Mayfair and Cas­well neighbourhoods, BOD specializes in clothes from the ‘60s to the ‘90s.

Ever since owner Nicola Tabb opened up shop in 2012, she has believed that every piece of clothing deserves the chance at a second life. BOD has a wide variety of sizes and styles to choose from, so if you’re searching for a state­ment piece or something to wear to your next roaring ‘20s themed party, there is some­thing here for you.

Some highlights of this store include the racks of Levi jeans, the entire wall of cowboy boots and the kind and inclu­sive attitude of the shop clerks.

Hazlewood

Opting for more laid back, flowy and often minimalistic styles, Hazlewood mostly car­ries accessories, clothing and furniture. According to the store’s website, store owner Mi­chaela Michael curates vintage and second-hand clothing that “reflect the flora, fauna and fashion of its rural home and heritage.”

Though it’s a bit more on the expensive side, Hazlewood’s apparel is for those who want to be comfortable and laid back but still have a modern, fash­ionable look at the same time.

The store also carries can­dles, perfume and other local­ly crafted apothecary items. If you’re ever on 20th Street and looking for sustainable, unique fashion, Hazlewood is the place to be.

The Knick

For lovers of street and ur­ban styles, The Knick is the place to be. Situated near the former location of the farmers market, this shop features both timeless pieces and the latest trends.

The owner, Sarah Gaudry, also brings her love of sew­ing into some of the clothes by adding modern and unique flairs, taking the piec­es from everyday clothing to one-of‑a-kind pieces. The store itself is also beautiful and fea­tures eye-popping geometric shelves and earthy tones.

For denim lovers, there are also cutoff shorts and comfy jeans galore.

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Tomilola Ojo/ Culture Editor

Photo: Tomilola Ojo/ Culture Editor