Where to Shop Secondhand in Charlottesville

by Linnea Revak, Owner of DarlingxDashing Boutique

Looking to score unique finds, stretch your budget, and shop more sustainably? In Charlottesville, some of the best secondhand shopping is just steps apart!

The First Street Secondhand District, located in Downtown Charlottesville, creates a one block, easily walkable radius with five amazing secondhand options for the thrifty, vintage lovers. Check out the map at the bottom of this page to start planning your trip.

VIEW THE MAP

Top Spots for Secondhand Shopping in Charlottesville

1. DarlingxDashing Boutique

My very own consignment shop – DarlingxDashing – is up first. Positioned on the corner of First and Water, this curated consignment shop features feminine and masculine secondhand with intake by appointment. Think contemporary brands, trendy styles, quirky vintage, and designer labels, with hundreds of new arrivals every week. You can shop all of our inventory in store AND online – we ship all over the country and offer store pick up for our local customers.

At DarlingxDashing, we also carry products from over 90 local artisan vendors, making us the perfect spot for your next pair of earrings or candle for your coffee table, a gift for a friend, coworker, or family member, and of course, as a University of Virginia alumna owned business, local pride products.

2. Arsenic & Old Lace

Arsenic & Old Lace is nested next to The Southern Cafe & Music Hall and is filled with amazing vintage from all the decades. Fun fact: When Darling first opened in 2012, it was in this space until it moved into the corner location in 2019! Angela opened up Arsenic late 2019, bringing even more great secondhand to First Street.

3. Old Flame

The newest addition to the First Street Secondhand District! Old Flame had its grand opening in early August 2025, is located on the corner of First and Water. This vendor booth-style vintage shop is curated by some of my favorite local pop-up vendors from our Vintage Street Markets. To name a few... LuckyTThrift, Blueberries & Tea, Fat Life, Nowhere Thrift, and Venus Fly Trap. We love sharing the First and Water intersection with this new secondhand shop!

4. Neon Soul

You have to check out Neon Soul – part interior design experience, part vintage shop! Just a short one block-walk up First Street S. to South Street, Neon Soul has curated an incredible collection of secondhand. The store’s owner, Annie, also creates custom upcycled pieces from home decor to embroidered jackets and more.

5. Alakazam

Yes, there’s even a toy consignment option! Located on First Street, Alakazam toy store has launched a new consignment option called ‘RePlay,’ giving new life to a curated collection of preloved toys.

Honorable Mentions

Be sure to check out other secondhand destinations around Charlottesville beyond First Street! A few other must visits around the area:

Hot Tips for Shopping Secondhand

- Patience and intention

These are key to secondhand shopping. Keep a list of items you’re on the hunt for, whether it’s specific closet staples, fabrics, colors. Having a goal or focus when you get secondhand shopping is super helpful for beginners.

- Know your measurements!

Bring a tape measure even. Try-ons aren’t always available when shopping secondhand, and no size is universal across brands.

- Know that there are levels of secondhand shops – not all are alike.

Thrift stores and charity shops will generally have the lowest price points for secondhand shops, while vintage stores and consignment shops will price items higher relative to the resale value or original retail price of an item.

- Keep an open mind and see the styling potential when shopping secondhand.

Pinterest boards are great for creating aesthetic style vision boards to help you curate secondhand like a pro.

Why Secondhand Matters in Charlottesville

Secondhand shopping isn’t just good for your wallet—it’s good for the planet too.

By choosing pre-loved clothing, furniture, and home goods, you’re keeping items out of landfills and reducing the demand for new production, which means less waste, less water use, and fewer carbon emissions! Charlottesville’s secondhand scene is especially rich because of our vibrant arts community, university life, and a steady flow of visitors—meaning fresh, high-quality pieces often find their way onto shop racks!

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Author

Linnea Revak

Owner of DarlingxDashing Boutique

As a secondhand shop owner for the last ten years, my lifestyle is all about choosing secondhand first over buying new -- and visiting your local secondhand store first before buying online. I’ve been practicing a circular closet for my entire adult life, actively consigning/selling my clothes and buying secondhand and vintage. And as a local resident expert in all things secondhand, I’m excited to spotlight some of the amazing secondhand shops Charlottesville has to offer!