Upcycle your Style

Going green, saving dough and supporting local businesses has never been so rewarding!

In recent years the act of “thrifting” has become hugely popular. Thrifting is no longer just about saving money. The used items trend can be attributed to the vintage fashion craze, the influential green movement or the desire to simply support local businesses. Trends cycle in and out of style, which means secondhand and consignment stores are chock-full of treasures that are good for your wallet and the environment. When you buy used, you are making a positive impact on the environment by decreasing the amount of goods in landfills, reducing the number of resources used and wasted. Downtown Salt Lake is full of eclectic vintage fashion, furniture and book finds. Take a look at our roundup of resale spots we love, where we’ve found pieces that last beyond their past life and accentuate their new one. 

Fashion Forward

Atelier (341 W. Pierpont Ave) was started in 2017 by two friends Malinda Fisher of Desert Rose Jewelry and Olivia Henrie of Innerspacism, as a place where both could work and sell their handmade goods. It has now grown to a home for over 20 artists and has a beautifully curated selection of vintage clothing from numerous local vendors. Atelier empowers local creatives by providing a physical retail space where they can market their goods and ideas.

Located inside Atelier, Maeberry Vintage (a local vendor) offers a selection of vintage clothing from the 1920's to the 1990's. They buy, sell and trade a cornucopia of one-of-a-kind vintage treasures in the heart of downtown. From 1950’s gingham dream swimsuits to gorgeous high waisted 1970’s denim pants (and everything in between), the selection is fun and inventory is constantly changing.

When thrifting, a new store you must visit is Miss Misc. (pronounced mis*sy) Boutique (239 E. Broadway). This matchmaker and treasure hunter helps clients find the style and size that works best for their body, from the simplest items to the most ornate. She helps you build a fabulous wardrobe with ease, promoting sustainability by reducing waste and lessening the footprint of the clothing industry.

Furniture & Decor

The Green Ant (179 E. Broadway), offers up an eclectic selection of mid-century curios and furnishings from that bygone era when things were made to last. For investment-worthy wares with impressive craftsmanship, stop by this shop to check out their constantly refreshed items. Dress up your home with touches that pay homage to earlier times, which can come in the form of a simple coffee table or a whole new furniture set.

If you are looking for a real treasure hunt, check out the Indoor Winter Urban Flea Market (12 W. Rio Grande) at The Gateway. Held on the second Sunday of every month, November through April, this market provides a great opportunity for attendees to shop, browse and enjoy the experience of a Sunday in downtown Salt Lake. It also provides a great community outlet for vendors to sell items that will be treasures for others. Featuring over 80 vendors, this bazaar offers the best eclectic and unique vintage and antique finds. Local crafters will provide cool handcrafted and upcycled vintage items. 

Books & Collectibles

Bookworms looking to save a buck or find the diamond in the rough hit the jackpot at Ken Sanders Rare Books (268 S. 200 East). Specializing in Utah history and western Americana, the literary west is well-represented here. Additionally, they have a vast inventory of used and rare books and an ever-changing selection of art, maps, photographs and postcards. Looking to sell? Book purchasing and appraisal services are offered in this downtown staple.

For the past 104 years, Utah Book & Magazine (327 S. Main St) has made downtown home. As the third-generation owner, Peter Marshall has kept his grandfather’s legacy alive by keeping this unique used bookstore filled with the classics, out-of-print paperbacks, magazines and movies. When you stop by, make sure to ask about the bookshop ghosts!