I have always loved browsing garage sales, thrift stores and antique shops in search of treasures at reasonable prices. Secondhand stores offer a great way to help out small businesses close to campus while being mindful of a student budget.
Whether you are new to Colorado or have lived here for a while, there are many places to find antique and reasonably priced secondhand items close to campus. Perhaps you’re looking for antiques from “back in the day,” or just a great deal on clothing and school supplies. Each of these secondhand shops offers something unique at a reasonable price.
American Classics Marketplace — 1815 N. Academy Blvd.
I have been going to American Classics for years, especially after Willowstone — another Colorado Springs antique marketplace — closed. American Classics is made up of uniquely decorated booths offering items you usually can’t find anywhere else because of their age or rarity.
Whether you’re looking for old-fashioned dishware, home décor, records, instruments or more, Colorado’s largest antique mall has it all. Some items I have bought from here include a 1980s rotary phone, pots and pans, a copper dish and handmade glassware.
Each booth is manned by a different seller, causing pricing to vary across the store. Some sellers offer discounts on their pieces, while others do not. I purchased a glass swan centerpiece from one booth for $25, while another booth had a similar one for $35. You can get deals, but you may have to look in a few places to find them.
Browsing at American Classics is a great way to spend a few hours on a weekend, and it is located only 12 minutes from campus. They are open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Antique Legacy — 2624 W. Colorado Ave.
Unlike the sprawling aisles of booths at American Classics, Antique Legacy is a single-room store located next to other shops on bustling Colorado Ave. Parking can be difficult to find here but the lot to the west of the store seems to be the best place to park.
Antique Legacy has a variety of different items for sale, including silverware, books, military memorabilia and a jukebox. There are also glasses of match books for $1 each that make for good vintage novelty items.
The prices of the antique items are lower than listed in other places — for example, a vintage Sony tape recorder in good condition was $45, whereas a similar one on eBay is listed for $100.
Antique Legacy is located 15 minutes away from campus and is open Monday through Saturday 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. It had less of a selection than other antique or secondhand stores, but owner Adam Heffington’s expertise made learning about the antiques more accessible.
Who Gives a SCRAP — 810 Arcturus Dr.
Who Gives a SCRAP is centered more around affordable crafting items and fostering community with customers.
The store offers artist studios as well as places to shop. Every kind of crafting item you can imagine is here, including fabric, stamps, paper, glass, charms and office supplies. The Book Room, set apart from the main store, offers a place to read and browse books.
Since everything in the store is secondhand, prices are reasonable. For example, sheets of cardstock paper are $1, a pound of scrap glass is $2 and greeting cards are 25 cents each.
There is also a sense of community among the shoppers of Who Gives a SCRAP. Customers chatted with each other in the store more than in the other antique shops. The store also hosts community events, such as the beginner knitting classes on Oct. 26 and 27 from 1 – 3 p.m.
Who Gives a SCRAP is located 15 minutes from campus. They are open Monday through Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday.