Chicago Thrift Store Guide Part 2: Public Transit

This is Part 2 in a series about navigating the Chicago thrift store scene.  Part 1 illustrated some easy driving routes in four different parts of the city.  This second installation helps you make your way around to some of Chicago’s best thrift stores via public transportation and your own two feet.  Try these three public transit-friendly thrift routes.

Starting in Wicker Park, ending in Avondale

Start at the ARK Thrift Shop (1302 N Milwaukee) and from there you can walk, or take the #56 Milwaukee bus north to the Bucktown Village Discount Outlet (2032 N Milwaukee), which is just another short walk from the Logan Square Family Thrift Store (2160 N Milwaukee).

From here, hop on the Milwaukee bus going north again and get off at the Avondale American Thrift Store (2874 N Milwaukee).  From here you can walk a block south on Milwaukee, back to Diversey, and take the Diversey bus to the Hermosa Unique Thrift Store (4441 W Diversey).  From here you’ll probably be tired out, so I recommend tacos.

Starting in Boystown, ending in Rogers Park

Start at the Boystown Brown Elephant (3651 N Halsted).  Then walk or take the #36 Broadway bus north to the Uptown Salvation Army (4315 N Broadway), which is just a short jaunt from the Uptown Unique (4445 N Sheridan).

From there you can walk, ride your bike take the westbound  #78 Montrose bus (near the Wilson El stop) and transfer to the northbound  #22 Clark bus, which will drop you off in front of the Andersonville Village Discount (4898 N Clark).

From there it’s just a jog up the street (or you can take the #22 Clark bus again) to the Andersonville Brown Elephant (5404 N Clark).  From here, you can either hit up the plethora of design shops that line Clark Street in the Andersonville neighborhood, or, if it’s a Tuesday, Thursday or weekend before 3pm, you can hop on the northbound #22 Clark bus again and disembark at Morse Ave.  Walk two blocks east on Morse and find the United Church Thrift Store, one of Chicago’s hidden gems.

Starting in the West Loop, ending in Bridgeport

Start at the Goodwill in the West Loop (1201 W Washington).  From here, take the Pink Line train from Ashland toward 54/Cermak and de-train at 18th.  From this stop in Pilsen you can walk to the St. Pius Parish Thrift Store (1701 W 18th Place), but I highly recommend calling ahead (312-226-6234) to see if they’re open.  (You’ll probably have better luck with this store on the weekends.)

If they’re not open, or at least not answering the phone, forget about 18th Street and continue on the Pink Line toward 54/Cermak to the Western stop.  Exit here for the Pilsen Salvation Army (2024 S Western).  From here, you can take the #49 Western bus south to 35th street and you can walk to the McKinley Unique Thrift Store (take 35th east to Leavitt, south on Leavitt to Archer).

After this stop, hop on the Orange Line at 35th/Archer toward the Loop, get off at Halsted, and take the #8 Halsted bus south to the Bridgeport Unique Thrift Store (3000 S Halsted).  Which is your last stop on this trip.

To see Part 1 of this series, click here.