The Hamline Midway Area, and St. Paul as a whole, is known for its haven of artists of all mediums. When it comes to the artists who specialize in textile art meant to be worn and used, there is no shortage of thrift and vintage stores nearby that offer a wide range of unique options—no matter the goals of the shopping trip. Looking for a wardrobe upgrade? Or how about a room refresh? All can be found right here in the St. Paul area, waiting to be explored and to have their carefully curated collections enjoyed by local consumers who are just as passionate about their goods as they are.
Up Six Vintage
Up Six Vintage is a shop offering unique and quality pieces no matter the style, whether your style is eclectic, or gender neutral and offering an ever-evolving collection of eye-catching vintage items. Offering anything from quirky and cozy sweaters to fancy dresses orstunning coats and grunge t-shirts, there is anything someone could want and more waiting behind their brick-and-mortar exterior.
Additionally, their selection is noticeably neatly attended to and well organized, making finding that special piece even easier. A shop with a true love for vintage fashion and an organized manner to make it accessible and palatable to almost everyone’s tastes, Up Six Vintage is a must-go for any vintage lover. They are located at 189 Snelling Ave N near Macalester College, open 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Sundays.
Lula
Lula, with its chic exterior and its striking window display that rotates with the seasons, has even more to razzle dazzle on the inside. Offering a collection of vintage masculine and feminine clothes, there is a wide variety of styles to explore no matter one’s taste. Organized in an artistic manner that has the consumer in mind with its thoughtful layout, Lula will make anyone want to explore what outfits they could put together.
This treasure trove of vintage goodies includes stunning dresses of all lengths and styles, purses, jewelry, bags, jackets and even more. Meant to cater to the consumer and allow anyone to unleash their inner fashion guru, this is an excellent choice for anyone looking for an aesthetically pleasing and stress-free thrifting experience. They are also located near Macalester College on 1587 Selby Ave, just a ten-minute drive to campus. Lula is open 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday through Sunday.
Movables
Looking for a home decor refresh? Movables is just the place for stunning, quality furniture pieces, rugs, art and more to add something inspiring to any space. Hosting a wide collection of superb pieces, there is sure to be something for any home or space that needs to have something new added to it. The furniture is curated and thoughtfully placed into Movables’ inventory, and the stock is always rotating, bringing something new to the table for everyone to check out repeatedly. A well-rounded, ever-changing collection of awe-inspiring pieces to take home for reasonable prices, Movables is a gem of the home decor scene in St. Paul. This consignment store is located at 1338 Randolph Ave and is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday through Saturday.
Nine Lives Thrift
A humble brick facade anchoring a colorful, electric collection of feminine, curated secondhand clothing, Nine Lives Thrift is a glamorous thrift and boutique-style store with stunning color-coded sections and aesthetics catering to a wide range of shoppers. Additionally, they proudly say that they aim to promote sustainable fashion that is rooted in the community and aims to contribute to the idea of a circular economy through the purchase of secondhand goods. Hosting an extraordinary, highly selected trove of stunning pieces with a positive mission behind it, Nine Lives Thrift deserves a spot on any feminine style lover’s must-shop list. They are located at 1165 7th St West and are open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday to Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sundays.
Style Society Vintage Shop
Curated with the consumer in mind by a community of twenty local women with a passion for style, Style Society Vintage Shop is an ever-evolving hot spot for beautiful pieces of home decor. Featuring several vendors, this shop combines the taste of seasoned interior design/artistic professionals into a store where shoppers are able to experience the peak of their work firsthand and are able to have access to the pieces for their own spaces. Stunningly styled and only offering pieces to be proud of, this powerhouse of a small business gives customers A-list eye candy when it comes to their wide variety of dressers, chairs, rugs, tables and anything else one would need to furnish an area. Stop by this gem of a store for a luxurious and tasteful experience displaying some of the best home decor St. Paul has to offer. Style Society is located at 453 7th St W, only 15 minutes from campus, and is open Wednesday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Sundays 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Overall, with there being many small businesses that contribute to a wide variety of shopping needs in an authentic and sustainable way, an effort should be made to explore the fantastic vendors that St. Paul has to offer. In times like these where many individuals are aiming to shift into a more sustainable model of consumption whilst seeking quality items in a sea of mass-produced goods, local businesses who pour their passion and care into their work deserve the chance to be recognized and supported as part of the St. Paul community.
