Kiwanis Thrift Sale

When you talk to people in Ann Arbor about thrift shopping, they always bring up the Kiwanis sale in a reverent, hushed tone — «have you been yet?» It’s only on Saturday mornings, and the selection and prices are both great. If you have specific needs for your household, or are new to town and furnishing a rental, this is a great place to check a lot of boxes on your shopping list for super cheap. It’s pretty packed with stuff, to the point that it can be difficult to maneuver. If you don’t like crowds or being bumped and jostled by strangers, be warned and emotionally prepare yourself.

Saw this while looking for things to do in Ann Arbor and decided to check it out. Got there about 9:30 and the place was full but not super crowded. Another customer told me that if I were there about an hour later it would be far more crowded.
Just wandered around for a few minutes to get my bearings. Found my way to the craft area and found boxes and boxes of thread, buttons, knitting needles. A bunch was ‘junk’ but I found buttons some vintage Coats & Clark darning thread and assorted other goodies. Got a nice sized stack and was stunned that it was only $ 6.50! If I lived nearby this would certainly be a regular haunt.
It’s seems there are a lot of regulars and the volunteers and customers know each other. Note, you need to pay for items in the area where you found them as they have volunteers who specialize in that type of item and apparently certain areas can be closed without warning — for example, the collectibles floor was closed the day we were there.

The Kiwanis Thrift Sale is my favorite Saturday morning activity. I like sleeping in, but I LOVE this place! I just know I’ll find something awesome every time I go. It gets crowded in there, but the staff and competition (er… other shoppers.) are very courteous. I feel that the eclectic local community stocks this store with unbelievable treasures.
There are 3ish floors, plus a secret 4^th floor that only opens for like 2 days a year for Christmas things. There are sections for clothes, kitchen appliances/​gadgets, home décor, furniture, office supplies, sports, electronics, and so on!
I have many favorite sections, so I’ll just brag about the coolest things I found in a few of these sections.
Arts & Crafts — this area is on the ground floor, and you can count on finding miscellaneous supplies like yarn, zippers, buttons, etc. However, I’ve found entire kits for pretty obscure crafts. I bought kits for making paper and sun-​dyeing, each for $ 1!
Seasonal — this area is like half a level below ground floor. It changes dramatically based on whichever holiday is coming up. there’s also always a lot of sets of punch bowls or cases of glass items. My mom and I often do wedding decorations, and we’ve definitely stocked up on those. I also found a giant bin of basket-​weaving supplies for $ 5. Can you tell I love buying art supplies here?
Antiques — this is right when you enter the bottom floor. I think Kiwanis’ prices are generally very fair, but the antique section is a downright STEAL. I’m no antiques expert, but they have some really cool stuff that I’ve never seen before. I’ve started collecting pretty vases and perfume bottles from there, many of which are under $ 3.

Selection is wide ranging and abundant — but seriously, the staff here (at least on the electronics floor) lacks basic customer service skills. I don’t like shopping places where you feel like the staff is uncomfortable or awkward when interacting with customers.

Great variety, the limited hours are a bit, well, limiting (but also part of the fun). Priced pretty appropriately (sometimes they’ll even let you round down), friendly staff.

Awesome! There is a smell but this place is painstakingly organized. Compulsively even. I got a pair of Santana waterproof shearling boots with almost no wear on the soles for 6 bucks! Staffed by incredibly kind and helpful seniors.

I went here a few years ago during the summer with a friend. We’re both creative when it comes to fashion so we figured we check this place out and try and make something of what was there. We found such good deals! They have numerous floors designated for certain items.
From what I can remember — we got jewelery for $ 2/​piece (necklace, rings)
I got a belt for $.50
a london fog coat for $ 9
my friend got hair clips for free!
we went back here twice and were successful each time. It’s also cool to look at the old/​vintage stuff.

Given their hours and their downtown location I was expecting all aisles and areas to be packed with shoppers like cutthroat sardines grabbing and pushing. So in preparation, I lifted some weights and ran some miles so I could elbow out even the most determined elderly and the spry young bloods — plus have the endurance to make it through all three floors.
It’s a very mellow atmosphere, more so than even a lot of city Goodwills I’ve been to. No nasty grab-​and-​hockey-​check antics and no attitude. You round the corner into someone? They’ll smile and both of you will say, «Sorry!» It is really tight, though, so suck in that gut!
Everyone is doing their own thing. And customers span the gamut of age, race, class, and style. This means that every niche is appeased, and you’re likely to find some great stuff since you’re not competing against everyone for your aesthetic.
What do you want? Because they have a section for it, I guarantee. Everything from sports equipment to bridal gowns to furniture to seasonal decorations. You can find amazing deals, but some things are also curiously over-​priced.
Clothing galore. It’s kind of overwhelming but even the most social-​anxiety-​ridden shopper (a la me) will find a rhythm. Four bucks for a killer brand-​name dress? Really? Sold. A buck for a handsome cashmere sweater? Are you kidding me?
There are no formal dressing rooms, FYI — the bathroom on the first floor kind of doubles as one but you either change in the toilet stalls or in plain view of other ladies in front of the full-​length mirror. I could care less about this, but 10 years ago, in my younger and more self-​conscious days, I probably would protest. And honestly, who wants to spend more time in a stinky, old restroom?
The street parking meters are outrageously priced — something like 11 minutes for every quarter? Eh. We’re not in the city, here, people. Be reasonable. When I was there, the neighborhood parking was packed to the fullest. But there’s a university lot that is open and free to the public on Saturdays about 3 – 4 blocks away (google map 3^rd and Krause).
CASH ONLY.
Eat something before you go, because even though you think you’ll spend 30 minutes here, it’s more likely that you’ll be in there for 2 hours. Or get ready to speed off as quickly as possible for the Northside Grill for breakfast/​lunch, which I find to be the perfect companion for a morning well spent.

I went to the Kiwanis Thrift this morning and was overwhelmed by the 3 floors of merchandise and the people traffic. When I got there at 10:30am the place was *packed*. One of the volunteers I spoke to told me that it was always like this so coming early is crucial to finding good deals. Of course, that’s not to say that there are no bargains if you come later– just that there are lots of them and you don’t want to miss out! I suggest that if you find something, buy/​pay for it immediately lest you lose it to another thrifty buyer.
The Kiwanis has an amazing inventory. I’m pretty sure that you can find anything here to furnish your home, to dress yourself, to outfit your kitchen and maybe even your garage. Young, Fabulous, but Broke? Then you need to come here. Those who enjoy garage sales, rummage sales, and thrift stores will enjoy this especially. There is a lot of everything here and that’s not an understatement.
Despite fantastic selections 4 of the biggest complaints about this store are: (1) Saturday hours, (2) parking (3) NO plastic –Cash or Checks only and (4) crowd.
1. The hours you can’t do much about. Just get up and go!
2. Solutions to parking problem: You can pay for it on the street (if you are lucky to find a spot) or on the lot in the corner of Huron and First. You can also park in a residential neighborhood behind the store where parking is very free.
3. They only accept cash and check. NO credit cards or debit cards.
4. On the last point, be prepared to shop in a really tight and crowded place. Expect a crowd when you come — after all, it’s only open every Saturday from 9am — 12pm.

bargains… why must thy only be available during some rarified morning hours on Saturdays?
oh yeah, and parking blows!

Hands down my favorite vintage/​thrift shop. Excellent prices. The only thing that’s a bit tricky is their hours, Saturdays 9am-​Noon. Yes, that’s it. So, like someone else said, get their early and be prepared to have to push by quite a few hippies in your hunting. Parking is also a bit tricky. But it’s so worth it, there is no other place around like this. They have not just clothes, but books, childrens’s things, kitchen ware, furniture, and so on. There’s a main floor, an upper floor, and a basement. Can you say brand new 1960’s sequin/​bead dress for $ 2?

The best vintage, used goods store in town, hands down. It’s only open for a few hours on a Saturday morning, but their volunteers/​staff are courteous and helpful.
Cash/​Check only is kind of annoying, but it makes things smoother and works for them.

Best vintage shopping in Ann Arbor. Wake up early on Saturday morning and get ready. Your going to dig, but your going to find some of the best stuff ever. What makes this place really special are the prices and that it is only once a week. If you are really strapped for cash you can bargain prices. Every week it is different, your going to find new stuff every time!

Kiwanis has some of the best second-​hand shopping in town, no matter what you’re looking for. I just wish they were open more than a few hours a week.
It’s worth checking every week, especially since you can run out of time if you get preoccupied in a certain area.
Parking is a challenge. You can hunt for a spot on the street within a reasonable walk, but then if you buy a lot of stuff, you have to be able to carry it. It’s a good idea to bring a friend with a large truck, which your friend can go and get while you check out.

I may have gotten my entire wardrobe here from castoffs from the richie Ann Arborites– thank you! Seriously, you gotta take this seriously. Get there EARLY, find parking (another challenge) and focus! Must get all the treasure-​hunting in you can in 3 hours. But, it’s SOOO worth it!

It’s open from 9am to noon every Saturday, and that’s it. This place is easily the best donated sales shop in the area. It beats the crap out of Salvation Army. Kiwanis is 3 stories of electronics, clothes, vinyl, and furniture. Get there early to find the best stuff, and carry cash. And don’t get in my way!