Whether you're a student on a tight budget, a fashion enthusiast looking for vintage finds or simply someone who enjoys the thrill of treasure hunts or good deals, Gainesville’s thrift scene has something to offer for everyone.
Flashbacks Recycled Fashions
For all things modern, vintage and everything in between, Flashbacks Recycled Fashions offers a unique treasure trove of trinkets and timeless accessories.
Located at 220 Northwest Eighth Ave., Flashbacks Recycled Fashions stands out for its carefully curated selection of both modern and vintage clothing.
Tatum Nichtberger, who has been managing her family's clothing consignment store for over a decade, said Flashbacks’ selection process sets it apart from traditional thrift shops.
"We’re different from traditional thrift stores in the sense that we don’t take donations,” Nichtberger said. “We buy clothes from the general public. We do the digging to get rid of all the stuff that isn’t great… we curate the stuff in here."
Flashbacks is one of the few spots in town offering a blend of modern and vintage pre-curated pieces.
"We have stuff that people bought online two weeks ago,” Nichtberger said. “We’ve gotten pieces from the 1800s and we have everything in between." Nichtberger said.
With a focus on sustainable fashion, Flashbacks is a haven for those seeking to make a conscious choice without sacrificing style.
"[Shopping at Flashbacks] is like a treasure hunt — you never know what you’re going to find,” Nichtberger said. “We want people to walk out with really cool stuff that becomes their favorite pieces, and at an affordable price.”
St. Patrick Thrift Shop
For those seeking a more intimate thrifting experience, St. Patrick Thrift Shop at 2010 Northwest Sixth St. offers a homey haven for vintage lovers. Jane Rodriguez, who has managed the store for 18 years, described it as a compact yet varied source of antiquities and all things vintage. "The thing that makes us unique is we have such a variety of things, and the very fact that we're negotiable,” she said.
St. Patrick Thrift Shop has long been a favorite among students, especially those looking to negotiate prices at the counter. Rodriguez said the store’s dedicated to supporting students and their families, treating them “like their grandmother would.”
Josh Hoffenberg, a longtime customer at St. Patrick Thrift Shop, said the iconic home remains a cherished piece of Gainesville’s history.
"I lived here about ten years ago… it was here when I was going to school, and I just returned back to Gainesville,” he said. “It’s stood the test of time — it’s a thrift store institution of Gainesville.”
Hoffenberg noticed Gainesville’s thrifting community abides by a certain “honor system” that separates it from other Florida cities.
“They still hold the tradition of thrifting, the ability to negotiate,” he said. “I grew up in South Florida, you go to thrift stores down there and the prices are incredibly inflated.”
Outreach Thrift Store
For more than 30 years, the Outreach Thrift Store has been a staple in Gainesville’s thrift scene. Located at 2430 Northwest Sixth St., it is renowned for its vast selection of affordable Gator gear and wide-ranging assortment of household items, electronics, clothes and shoes.
Isaac Vellekamp, who owns and runs the store, believes the city’s unique thrift culture is deeply intertwined with UF's vibrant student community.
"What makes Gainesville unique is the University of Florida; it's got tons of college students, and the turnover is big,” he said. “Every semester, there's a turnover of people, they're looking for a good thrift store, they find out about us and they're like, 'Hey, this is what I wanted.'"
This constant influx of new students fuels the demand for affordable, quality clothing, especially Gator gear from athletes, Vellekamp said.
“When they’re done with their stuff, they don’t take it home because they’re gonna go on with their life,” he said. “They donate it here, so people can pick up cool Gator gear.”
Beyond offering great deals on Gator merchandise, Outreach Thrift Store is dedicated to giving back to the community, he said.
“That is why we called it the Outreach Center,” Vellekamp said. “It really started off originally in 1988 as a means to help widows and orphans… we're still able to help the community by putting things in here on a budget so folks can come in and buy things that maybe they couldn't buy brand new."
La Chua Vintage
For those who love high quality, pre-curated vintage, La Chua Vintage, currently located at the AUK Market, offers a carefully selected range of high-quality vintage pieces.
Sabrina Kaar started La Chua in 2017 with a vision of providing sustainability and individuality for fashion lovers looking to stand out from the crowd.
Kaar’s journey began part-time in vintage shops and antique malls, eventually leading her to open her standalone store at Curia on the Drag. However, recognizing the demands of running a store alongside raising a family, she decided to collaborate with AUK Market, where she has continued to offer her vintage collection since 2018.
“I really try to find cotton, rayon, silk or better quality fabrics that go with the Florida lifestyle,” Kaar said. “Some things are fun vintage, but you also don’t want to look like you’re going to a Halloween Party. I try to balance it with stuff that a modern person could easily put into their wardrobe.”
Thrift Club at UF
While vintage and mainstream thrift may not be in everyone’s budget, student groups such as the Thrift Club at UF provide an affordable opportunity to get involved with a community of fellow fashionistas and sustainable shoppers.
The Thrift Club hosts monthly thrift swapping events that provide an exciting opportunity to refresh one’s wardrobe without spending a dime.
"As college students, not all of us can afford to shop at regular stores, and even nowadays the thrift store prices are insane," said Jessica Nolte, the President of the Thrift Club at UF. "[Thrift swaps] allow people to have a place to get rid of stuff [while] also trying to find something new for yourself."
Nolte encourages newcomers to Gainesville to get involved.
“Go to some events, go to a thrift swap, see what you can find,” Nolte said. "It's a great way to meet new people, make friends.”
Contact Carlos Alemany at calemany@alligator.org. Follow him on X @close_alemany
Carlos Alemany is a fourth year political science student and the Alligator's 2024 Criminal Justice Reporter. In his free time, you you may catch him thrifting or sketching in Gainesville.
