A Guide to Albany Thrift Stores, Part 1 of Many

This piece from Refinery29 reminded me of something that it’s hard for me to admit: my thrift store shopping game has gotten a little weak lately. Getting back on the wagon was easy, since one thing that the Capital District has in abundance is thrift stores. There are lots of other things we lack (like a Wegman’s and an Urban Outfitters) but we’ve got a profusion of good, bad and mediocre thrift stores. They can be great resources for updating your wardrobe and trying out new vintage inspired trends like midi skirts and secretary tops but can also be hit-or-miss depending on when you visit and what you’re looking for. One of my favorite thrift stores in Albany tends to be just this kind of joint- either you leave with armfuls of finds or nothing at all. The Treasure Chest is located at 295 Hamilton Street in Albany in the shadow of Empire State Plaza and between Cheesecake Machismo and El Mariachi, two highly recommended spots for post-thrifting gorging. It’s run by the Albany Damien Center, so it’s easier to throw down a couple bucks on some of the stranger pieces knowing that the money is going to a good cause. I’ve heard before that Tuesday is the best day for stopping by the store since it’s the day that new stuff hits the racks but my recent weekend visit turned up a couple of great pieces.

The clothing selection is fairly limited at the Treasure Chest but it’s the kind of place that will reward determined thrifters with the unexpected. Last year I found a straw souvenir bag from the early 1960’s that has become my go-to overnight bag for only $1, and it has always been a reliable supplier of the mom jeans required to make a good pair of high-waisted cutoffs. This time, after spending half an hour searching through the clothing racks on the upper level of the store I hit thrift store gold- a brown and white polka-dotted top with ruffles and a bow at the neck for $2 and a high-collared, very 80’s wool coat for $5. Both were in perfect condition, as are most of the clothes in the store. There was also a surprisingly good shoe selection when I visited but sadly none that fit me. There was also a decent amount of regular thrift store junk to sort through, but bargains like these make it well worth it.