Thrifting Ontario: A Reseller's Story

Hey everyone, whether you're back or here for the first time! I'm Maria, wearing many hats. By day, I've got a regular job, but when I'm off the clock, you'll find me hunting for treasures at thrift stores and yard sales. I also love to blog and sell items online. Curious to know more about me and my adventures? Click here! Some of my fabulous finds end up in my own home, while others are up for grabs. If you want to check out what I have, shop here!

Two weeks ago in July, I went to the QIDC annual 100 mile yard sale. After the sale, we were halfway to Niagara Falls Ontario, and we decided to keep driving north for a mini vacation. Well, of course, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to do some thrifting while in a new place!

I stumbled upon some truly remarkable vintage treasures at a yard sale along Route 219. While I have yet to officially list them for sale, stay tuned! One particular large item caught my eye, prompting a moment of hesitation as I contemplated the logistics of transporting it across the border. However, I am pleased to report that everything went smoothly and without a hitch!

Thrifting Fun!

Unexpectedly stumbled upon a Goodwill store and found some gems while in Niagara Falls, NY. Amazing clothes from top brands got me excited. The home goods section was a goldmine with unique treasures. I regret leaving behind this cool wicker mirror and ended up only buying a shirt, which when I wore it got many compliments. Quality over quantity always wins! I tried on a lot of wonderful clothing that day, but the fit wasn't quite right. It's easy to buy something because it's cheap, but I'm trying to be more selective in purchases for myself, only buying what I love and what looks good on me. But I find it harder to resist temptation when it comes to decor, but I'm working on it.😉

While in Ontario, I had carefully planned my thrift shopping itinerary. On a day when rain was expected but didn't, we decided to spend the entire day exploring thrift stores in Niagara Falls, St. Catherine's, and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Two of the chain stores I visited are also present in the United States: Goodwill and Salvation Army. Despite sharing the same name, the similarities end there. Unlike in the US, Goodwill in Ontario does not offer a loyalty program or color tag sales. However, they are more selective about the items they display for sale. Prices were noticeably higher, with shoes priced around $18.99, although it's important to consider the exchange rate between American and Canadian currency. I discuss this topic in more detail in another post.

I was surprisesd by the number of thrift stores in Ontario that don't permit customers to try on clothes even though they had fitting rooms. Due to this, I only focused on shopping for linens, household goods, and decor. Linens are among my preferred thrift finds as I enjoy regularly changing them in my home, and they are convenient to pack and ship when I sell them.

While expecting to come across more vintage items, I was surprised by the abundance of souvenirs from other countries, as well as decorations, artworks, and linens from Asia and the Middle East. Exploring the city, we noticed a significant presence of these nationalities, which explained the frequent donations of these international treasures. It also seemed to me that Canadians travel more than Americans, given the souvenirs from various parts of the world that were new to me. A local resident mentioned that while Americans "winter" in Florida, Canadians prefer to "winter" in Cuba. The items I came across confirmed this as many pieces were made for the Cuban tourist trade..

Secondhand Shops Adventure!

I had a blast visiting different stores and uncovering unique treasures. Here's a recap of the places I checked out, complete with my fond memories of each. Each shop had its own charm and hidden gems waiting to be discovered. It was a delightful experience, and I can't wait to embark on another thrift shopping adventure soon!

🌟Personal favorites

Evergreen Thrift Store 5663 Ferry St, Niagara Falls, ON L2G 1S5, Canada

They are closed on Monday. To park, you have to squeeze past two buildings in a very tight lane.

Goodwill 6777 Morrison St, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 6M8, Canada

They had a great assortment of ethnic and vintage linens, good quality but pricey.

Value Village 6278 Lundy's Ln, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 5E9, Canada

This store was pretty crowded and did not allow you to try items on.

East Coast Pickers Thrift Store 5124 Morrison St, Niagara Falls, ON L2E 2E1, Canada

This is a true junker's paradise, if you're not afraid to dig.

🌟Vincent's Store 5970 Lundy's Ln, Niagara Falls, ON L2G 5Z7, Canada

This was one of my favorites. They are closed on Mondays and do not accept credit cards. Prices were very reasonable, and they had a back room with vintage items.

Goodwill Niagara 228 Glendale Ave, St. Catharines, ON L2T 3Y6, Canada

This location was much bigger than it looked and also carried furniture.

🌟MCC Thrift, St. Catharines 254 Grantham Ave, St. Catharines, ON L2M 4Z7, Canada

This was one of my favorites, and I made the majority of my purchases here. They not only organize their items well between departments but also have lovely displays.

The Salvation Army Thrift Store 350 Scott St, St. Catharines, ON L2N 6T4, Canada

Good selection of housewares separated by color, including vintage.

Mission Thrift Store St. Catharines 184 Scott St, St. Catharines, ON L2N 1H1, Canada

Very busy and small parking lot, located in a strip mall. Nice displays. Good amount of quality jewelry and some vintage/antique furniture pieces.

🌟Newark Neighbours 1534 Niagara Stone Rd, Virgil, ON L0S 1T0, Canada

This store is a little tight to navigate, but the staff were super friendly. The majority of items are not priced, and you have to ask. You can pay in US funds at the actual exchange rate, but they will give you your change back in Canadian funds.

Here's a photo gallery of my adventures and some of the beauties I left behind:

Do you see anything you would have bought? I'd like to know!

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