Best Thrift Stores in Austin TX for Resellers: Complete Guide 2026
Last Updated: February 2026 | Reading Time: 14 minutes
Austin, Texas has quietly become one of the best cities in the Southwest for resellers looking to source inventory. With a population that loves to donate, a thriving vintage culture, and new stores popping up regularly, the thrift store scene here offers serious profit potential—if you know where to look.
This comprehensive guide covers every major thrift store in Austin worth visiting, organized by neighborhood, plus insider tips on estate sales, flea markets, and the garage sale routes that local resellers guard closely. Whether you’re a full-time flipper or just getting started, this is your roadmap to thrifting success in the Texas capital.
Table of Contents
- Why Austin is a Goldmine for Resellers
- South Austin Thrift Stores
- North Austin Thrift Stores
- East Austin Thrift Stores
- Central Austin & Downtown
- Surrounding Areas: Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Georgetown
- Store Comparison Table
- Estate Sales in the Austin Area
- Flea Markets Worth Your Time
- Best Garage Sale Routes
- Tips for Thrifting in Austin Heat
- Avoiding UT Student Crowds
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Final Thoughts
Why Austin is a Goldmine for Resellers
Austin’s unique demographics create the perfect storm for thrift store sourcing. You’ve got tech workers constantly upgrading their wardrobes and home goods, university students cycling through furniture and clothing every semester, and longtime residents downsizing from the influx of new development.
The donation quality in Austin tends to be exceptional. This isn’t rust belt thrifting where you’re digging through worn-out basics—Austin donors regularly give away name-brand outdoor gear, designer clothing, high-end electronics, and vintage items that would sell for serious money in other markets.
Add in the fact that Austin has resisted the aggressive price hikes seen at thrift stores in cities like Los Angeles and Seattle, and you’ve got a sourcing destination worth planning trips around.
South Austin Thrift Stores
South Austin has historically been the more eclectic, “weird Austin” part of town, and the thrift stores here reflect that character. You’ll find better vintage and unique items, though the competition from local vintage shop owners can be fierce.
Goodwill South Lamar
Address: 5555 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78745
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-9pm, Sunday 10am-6pm
Parking: Large lot with easy access, rarely fills up
This is one of the busiest Goodwills in Austin, but for good reason. The South Lamar location pulls donations from the affluent Zilker and Barton Hills neighborhoods, which means you’ll regularly find REI gear, Lululemon, Patagonia, and quality home goods.
Best Days to Visit: Tuesday and Thursday mornings see the freshest stock. Avoid Saturday afternoons when the store gets overwhelmed with casual shoppers.
What It’s Known For: Outdoor gear, athleisure, and mid-century modern furniture pieces. The book section is also notably well-stocked with first editions and collectibles.
Pricing: Standard Goodwill pricing. Color tag sales on Saturdays can drop items to $1.49, but the best pieces get picked before then.
Restock Schedule: New items hit the floor continuously throughout the day, but the biggest push happens between 10am-12pm.
Reseller Tip: Check the “boutique” section even though prices are higher—items often get misplaced there and you’ll find designer pieces at regular Goodwill prices mixed in.
Texas Thrift - Manchaca Road
Address: 2721 S Lamar Blvd, Austin, TX 78704
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-8pm, Sunday 10am-6pm
Parking: Shared lot with other businesses, can be tight on weekends
Texas Thrift is a regional chain that tends to price lower than Goodwill on most items. The Manchaca Road location is smaller than some others but consistently delivers quality finds.
Best Days to Visit: Monday mornings when weekend donations have been processed. Wednesday is also strong.
What It’s Known For: Electronics, small appliances, and clothing. This location sees a lot of donations from nearby apartment complexes, so you’ll find plenty of kitchen items and decor.
Pricing: Generally 15-20% cheaper than Goodwill on comparable items. They run frequent sales where entire categories are discounted.
Restock Schedule: Morning restocks happen around 10:30am after the opening rush dies down.
Top Drawer Thrift
Address: 4902 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-6pm, Sunday 12pm-5pm
Parking: Small lot in front, street parking available
Top Drawer is a hidden gem that benefits a local nonprofit supporting people with mental illness. The store is well-organized, clean, and staffed by friendly volunteers who genuinely don’t understand current resale values (in your favor).
Best Days to Visit: Tuesday when they roll out items from weekend donations. Saturday mornings are picked over quickly.
What It’s Known For: Vintage clothing, kitchenware, and unique decor items. The furniture selection is small but curated.
Pricing: Very reasonable. Most clothing under $8, household items under $5.
Restock Schedule: They process donations throughout the week but Tuesday sees the biggest floor refresh.
Reseller Tip: Ask about their back room items. Staff will sometimes bring out pieces that haven’t been priced yet if you express interest in a category.
Treasure City Thrift
Address: 2142 E 7th St, Austin, TX 78702 (Note: This location is technically East Austin but serves the South Austin crowd)
Hours: Daily 10am-7pm
Parking: Street parking only, can be challenging
This community thrift store has a devoted following among Austin vintage enthusiasts. Prices have crept up as the store gained popularity, but the selection remains excellent.
Best Days to Visit: Weekday mornings. This store gets slammed on weekends with the brunch crowd from nearby restaurants.
What It’s Known For: Vintage clothing, records, and quirky Austin decor. If you sell vintage t-shirts or denim, this is a must-visit.
Pricing: Higher than chain thrifts but fair for the quality. Vintage pieces priced to sell, not to sit.
Restock Schedule: New items added daily, typically mid-morning.
North Austin Thrift Stores
North Austin stretches from the Domain area up through the Arboretum and into Round Rock. This area has seen massive growth, bringing with it plenty of donation volume from families upgrading their homes.
Goodwill - Parmer Lane
Address: 13729 N US Highway 183, Austin, TX 78750
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-9pm, Sunday 10am-6pm
Parking: Huge lot, never an issue
The Parmer Lane Goodwill is one of the largest in the Austin area and pulls donations from the affluent neighborhoods around the Domain and North Burnet corridor.
Best Days to Visit: Wednesday and Friday mornings. This location is less picked-over than South Austin stores because serious resellers often overlook North Austin.
What It’s Known For: Home goods, children’s items, and tech accessories. The furniture section here is massive and turns over quickly.
Pricing: Standard Goodwill pricing with occasional higher tags on obvious vintage or designer items.
Restock Schedule: Continuous throughout the day with major restocks around 11am and 3pm.
Reseller Tip: The electronics section here is underpriced compared to downtown locations. Test everything before buying—they have a testing station available.
Savers - Anderson Lane
Address: 6801 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78757
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-9pm, Sunday 10am-8pm
Parking: Large lot shared with shopping center
Savers is a for-profit thrift chain, and their prices reflect that. However, the Anderson Lane location still offers reseller potential if you’re selective.
Best Days to Visit: Monday mornings when the weekend backlog hits the floor. Their Manager’s Special days (usually Tuesday) offer 50% off a color tag.
What It’s Known For: Brand name clothing in good condition, shoes, and accessories. Savers does a better job sorting and displaying than most thrifts.
Pricing: Higher than Goodwill by about 30%. You’ll pay $7-12 for jeans that would be $4-6 at Goodwill. Stick to sale days.
Restock Schedule: Continuous restocking with a focus on maintaining full racks.
Habitat for Humanity ReStore - North Austin
Address: 500 E St Elmo Rd, Austin, TX 78745
Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 9am-5pm, Closed Sunday-Monday
Parking: Large lot designed for loading furniture
If you flip furniture, architectural salvage, or home improvement items, the ReStore is essential. This isn’t a clothing thrift—it’s focused entirely on home goods, building materials, and furniture.
Best Days to Visit: Saturday morning for the weekend warriors selling to you. Tuesday when construction project donations from the previous week get processed.
What It’s Known For: Furniture, lighting fixtures, doors, cabinets, tile, and random building materials. The furniture section often has mid-century pieces at fraction of antique store prices.
Pricing: Negotiable on large items. Furniture is priced to sell, typically 50-70% below retail.
Restock Schedule: Donations are processed Tuesday-Friday with Saturday being the busiest shopping day.
Reseller Tip: Bring your truck. The best furniture goes fast, and they don’t hold items. Make friends with the staff—they’ll sometimes tip you off about incoming donations.
Assistance League of Austin Thrift House
Address: 4901 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78756
Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10am-4pm, Saturday 10am-3pm
Parking: Small lot, street parking available
This volunteer-run thrift store benefits community programs and maintains a reputation for quality over quantity. The selection is curated, which means less digging but also less volume.
Best Days to Visit: Tuesday when fresh donations are priced and placed. Thursday for markdowns.
What It’s Known For: Quality women’s clothing, fine china, and collectibles. This is where well-heeled Austin ladies donate their gently-used designer items.
Pricing: Fair but not rock-bottom. Expect to pay $10-15 for quality pieces that would be $5-8 elsewhere.
Restock Schedule: Donations processed Tuesday and Saturday, floor restocked throughout.
East Austin Thrift Stores
East Austin has undergone massive gentrification, which creates interesting thrifting dynamics. You’ll find vintage gold from longtime residents mixed with barely-used items from new arrivals.
Goodwill - Airport Boulevard
Address: 6505 Airport Blvd, Austin, TX 78752
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-9pm, Sunday 10am-6pm
Parking: Medium lot, can fill up on weekends
The Airport Boulevard Goodwill serves a diverse neighborhood and sees excellent donation variety as a result.
Best Days to Visit: Thursday morning and Saturday at opening.
What It’s Known For: Vintage finds, multicultural items, and electronics. This location has less competition from professional resellers than South Austin stores.
Pricing: Standard Goodwill pricing.
Restock Schedule: Major restocks happen mid-morning around 10:30am.
Blue Velvet - East Austin Location
Address: 2108 E. 12th St, Austin, TX 78702
Hours: Monday-Saturday 11am-7pm, Sunday 12pm-6pm
Parking: Street parking only
Blue Velvet is technically a vintage store, not a thrift, but their prices remain reasonable enough for resellers to find margin. The curated selection saves time if you’re looking for specific eras or styles.
Best Days to Visit: Weekdays when you can actually take your time browsing. Weekends bring Instagram crowds.
What It’s Known For: 70s, 80s, and 90s vintage clothing. Excellent denim selection. Vintage cowboy boots at reasonable prices.
Pricing: Vintage store pricing, so $15-40 for most pieces. Look for the sale rack.
Restock Schedule: New inventory added weekly, typically Wednesday or Thursday.
Central Austin & Downtown
Downtown Austin and the central neighborhoods don’t have many large thrift stores—rent is too expensive. However, a few options exist for resellers willing to navigate traffic and parking challenges.
Buffalo Exchange - Guadalupe Street
Address: 2904 Guadalupe St, Austin, TX 78705
Hours: Monday-Saturday 11am-8pm, Sunday 12pm-7pm
Parking: Street parking or paid lots
Buffalo Exchange buys and sells used clothing, which means quality is pre-screened. For resellers, this is a sourcing option when you need specific brands or styles quickly.
Best Days to Visit: Monday when weekend sellers have stocked the racks. Avoid Friday-Sunday completely.
What It’s Known For: Current fashion trends, band tees, and seasonal items.
Pricing: Retail prices for secondhand. Expect to pay $20-40 for items you might find for $5 at Goodwill. The trade-off is curation and condition.
Uptown Cheapskate - Multiple Locations
Address: 2200 S Pleasant Valley Rd #101, Austin, TX 78741 (South location)
Hours: Monday-Saturday 10am-8pm, Sunday 11am-6pm
Parking: Plenty of parking in shopping center
Uptown Cheapskate focuses on current styles, targeting the 18-35 demographic. Resellers can find value here during clearance events.
Best Days to Visit: Clearance days vary—check their social media for announcements.
What It’s Known For: Trendy clothing from the past 2-3 years. Mall brands in good condition.
Pricing: Higher than traditional thrifts. $8-25 for most items.
Surrounding Areas: Round Rock, Cedar Park, Pflugerville, Georgetown
The Austin suburbs offer less competition and often better prices. These areas have grown rapidly, meaning lots of young families donating as they upgrade.
Goodwill - Round Rock
Address: 2601 S I-35 Frontage Rd, Round Rock, TX 78681
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-9pm, Sunday 10am-6pm
Parking: Massive lot
Round Rock’s Goodwill is a sleeper hit. The donations come from families in newer subdivisions who are constantly upgrading, and the local reseller competition is minimal.
Best Days to Visit: Any weekday morning. This location rarely gets the weekend crowds that plague Austin stores.
What It’s Known For: Children’s items, sporting goods, and home goods. Excellent for sourcing baby gear, toys, and games.
Pricing: Standard Goodwill with slightly lower furniture prices than Austin locations.
Texas Thrift - Round Rock
Address: 2001 N Mays St, Round Rock, TX 78664
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-8pm, Sunday 10am-6pm
Parking: Large lot
Another strong suburban option with prices consistently below Austin locations.
Best Days to Visit: Monday and Wednesday mornings.
What It’s Known For: Household items, clothing, and a surprisingly good book section.
Goodwill - Cedar Park
Address: 351 Cypress Creek Rd, Cedar Park, TX 78613
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-9pm, Sunday 10am-6pm
Parking: Large lot shared with shopping center
Cedar Park’s Goodwill serves the affluent northwest suburbs and sees quality donations from families in neighborhoods like Avery Ranch and Crystal Falls.
Best Days to Visit: Tuesday and Thursday mornings.
What It’s Known For: Outdoor gear, children’s items, and quality home goods.
Goodwill - Georgetown
Address: 4500 Williams Dr, Georgetown, TX 78633
Hours: Monday-Saturday 9am-9pm, Sunday 10am-6pm
Parking: Ample
Georgetown is about 30 minutes north of Austin but worth the drive. Sun City retirement community residents donate regularly, creating excellent sourcing for vintage items, quality housewares, and tools.
Best Days to Visit: Any weekday. Georgetown sees little reseller traffic.
What It’s Known For: Vintage items, tools, and quality furniture from downsizing retirees.
Pflugerville Thrift Options
Pflugerville has limited thrift options but growing donation volume. The Goodwill at 15424 FM 1825 serves the area and sees donations from the suburb’s young families.
Store Comparison Table
| Store | Category Strength | Price Level | Competition | Best Day | Parking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goodwill South Lamar | Outdoor gear, athleisure | $ | High | Tuesday AM | Easy |
| Texas Thrift Manchaca | Electronics, appliances | $ | Medium | Monday AM | Tight |
| Top Drawer Thrift | Vintage, kitchenware | $ | Low | Tuesday | Limited |
| Treasure City | Vintage clothing, records | $$ | High | Weekday AM | Street |
| Goodwill Parmer | Home goods, kids items | $ | Low | Wednesday | Easy |
| Savers Anderson | Brand clothing, shoes | $$ | Medium | Monday | Easy |
| Habitat ReStore | Furniture, salvage | $-$ | Low | Saturday | Easy |
| Goodwill Round Rock | Kids items, sports | $ | Very Low | Any weekday | Easy |
| Goodwill Georgetown | Vintage, tools | $ | Very Low | Any weekday | Easy |
Estate Sales in the Austin Area
Estate sales in Austin can be goldmines for resellers, but you need to know how to work them effectively.
Finding Estate Sales
- EstateSales.net - The primary listing site. Filter by Austin and surrounding zip codes
- GarageSaleFinder.com - Occasional estate sale listings
- Facebook Groups - “Austin Estate Sales” group posts local sales
- Nextdoor - Neighborhood sales often listed here first
Top Estate Sale Companies in Austin
Austin Estate Sales - Runs large sales in affluent neighborhoods. Quality items but competitive crowds. Show up 1-2 hours before opening for best selection.
Blue Moon Estate Sales - Specializes in mid-century and vintage. Higher prices but vetted quality. Great for furniture resellers.
Caring Transitions of Austin - Focuses on senior downsizing. Excellent for vintage housewares and collectibles.
EBTH (Everything But The House) - Online auction estate sales. Research values carefully—the platform attracts collectors who push prices up.
Estate Sale Strategy
- Preview when possible - Many sales offer preview hours the day before
- Arrive early - Serious buyers line up 1-2 hours before opening
- Bring cash - Many estate sales are cash-only or charge credit card fees
- Know your numbers - Research values on your phone before buying
- Saturday return - Prices typically drop 25-50% on the second day
Best Neighborhoods for Estate Sales
- Westlake/Rollingwood - Ultra-affluent, expect competition but quality is exceptional
- Tarrytown - Old Austin money, great vintage and antique finds
- Circle C Ranch - Young families upgrading, modern furniture and electronics
- Georgetown Sun City - Retiree downsizing, vintage gold
Flea Markets Worth Your Time
Austin’s flea market scene has its gems, but be prepared for heat and crowds.
Austin Country Flea Market
Address: 9500 US-290, Austin, TX 78724
Hours: Saturday-Sunday 8am-5pm
Parking: Large dirt lot, $3 fee
This is Austin’s biggest flea market, and while much of it is new wholesale goods, the antique/vintage section has sourcing potential. Arrive early—by 9am the best vintage dealers have been picked over.
Reseller Tip: Walk the entire market once quickly, then return to booths that showed promise. Negotiate—vendors expect it.
Round Rock Market Days
Address: 221 E Main St, Round Rock, TX 78664
Hours: First Saturday of each month, 9am-4pm (seasonal)
This monthly market in downtown Round Rock features local vendors selling antiques, vintage items, and handmade goods. The vintage section is small but less competitive than Austin markets.
Georgetown First Friday
Central Georgetown hosts a monthly first Friday event with vintage vendors and antique shops participating in sidewalk sales. The antique stores in the Georgetown Square regularly turn up underpriced items from estate purchases.
Canton Trade Days (Worth the Drive)
First Monday Trade Days in Canton, Texas (about 3 hours from Austin) is one of the largest flea markets in the world. Serious resellers make the trip quarterly. The antique and vintage sections are massive, and you can fill a trailer with inventory.
Best Garage Sale Routes
Garage sales require strategic routing to maximize your morning. Here are proven routes for Austin resellers:
Saturday Morning Route 1: South Austin
Start time: 7:00 AM
- Check listings in 78745 and 78704 zip codes on Thursday/Friday
- Begin in Zilker/Barton Hills neighborhoods—affluent donors, great vintage
- Move south through Travis Heights
- End at the South Congress area estate sales by 10am
Saturday Morning Route 2: North Austin/Round Rock
Start time: 7:00 AM
- Focus on 78750, 78759, and 78681 zip codes
- Start in Great Hills/Arboretum area
- Move north through Anderson Mill
- End in Round Rock neighborhoods by 10am
Finding Garage Sales
- Craigslist - Still active for Austin garage sales
- Facebook Marketplace - Filter by “garage sale” in Austin
- Garage Sale Finder - Mapped listings make routing easier
- Nextdoor - Best for hyperlocal finds, join multiple Austin neighborhoods
Garage Sale Negotiation Tips
- Everything is negotiable, especially after 10am
- Bundle items: “I’ll take all three for $X”
- Bring small bills—sellers appreciate easy transactions
- Last hour offers can get 50%+ discounts
Tips for Thrifting in Austin Heat
Austin summers are brutal, with temperatures regularly hitting 100°F+ from June through September. Here’s how to stay productive:
Beat the Heat
- Go early - Start at store opening (9am) and finish by noon
- Plan your route - Minimize time walking between stores
- Stay hydrated - Bring a water bottle, don’t rely on drinking fountains
- Wear breathable clothing - You’ll be moving fast through non-air-conditioned areas
Summer Thrifting Strategy
Summer is actually an underrated thrifting season in Austin. The casual thrifters stay home, leaving more inventory for serious resellers. Additionally, you’ll find excellent winter clothing donations as Austin residents mistakenly think they don’t need cold-weather gear.
Avoid These Hot Season Mistakes
- Don’t leave inventory in your car—heat damages electronics and warps vinyl records
- Skip outdoor flea markets from 11am-5pm in summer
- Schedule estate sale visits for the morning preview slots
Best Summer Sourcing Days
Weekday mornings from June-August are prime time. UT students are gone, families are on vacation, and store staff has time to get items processed and on the floor.
Avoiding UT Student Crowds
The University of Texas brings 50,000+ students to Austin, and they significantly impact thrifting patterns.
Worst Times to Thrift
- August move-in weekend - Avoid all stores within 5 miles of campus
- Late August - early September - Students furnishing apartments flood stores
- December finals week - Students stress-shopping
- January move-in - Spring semester furniture rush
Best Times to Thrift Near UT
- UT Finals weeks - Students are studying, not shopping
- Summer months - Student population drops dramatically
- Thanksgiving and Spring Break - Campus empties out
Student-Generated Inventory
On the flip side, students donate heavily at key times:
- Early May - Move-out donations flood stores with dorm furniture, textbooks, and clothing
- December - Semester-end donations
- Late August - Students donate items that don’t fit new apartments
These periods require daily store visits to catch fresh inventory before other resellers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best thrift stores in Austin for resellers?
The best overall value comes from South Austin Goodwill locations (South Lamar, William Cannon) and suburban stores in Round Rock and Georgetown. These locations have quality donations, reasonable prices, and manageable competition.
When do Austin thrift stores restock?
Most Austin Goodwill locations restock continuously with the heaviest volume mid-morning (10am-12pm). Texas Thrift locations tend to restock immediately after opening. For the freshest inventory, arrive Tuesday-Thursday mornings.
Are Austin thrift store prices good for resellers?
Compared to coastal cities, Austin thrift prices remain reasonable. Goodwill maintains standard regional pricing, while Texas Thrift runs 15-20% cheaper. Avoid Savers except on sale days, and skip Buffalo Exchange unless you need specific items quickly.
What’s the best day to go thrifting in Austin?
Tuesday and Wednesday mornings offer the best combination of fresh inventory and low crowds. Saturday has the most inventory turnover but also the most competition. Avoid Sunday afternoons when inventory is depleted and stores are crowded.
Where can I find vintage clothing in Austin?
For affordable vintage, focus on Treasure City Thrift, Blue Velvet, and the South Lamar Goodwill. The UT area Goodwill locations also see vintage donations from students clearing out family donations. For premium curated vintage, South Congress shops have quality but at retail prices.
Is it worth driving to Round Rock and Georgetown to thrift?
Absolutely. The suburban stores see less reseller competition, and donation quality from affluent subdivisions is excellent. Georgetown in particular benefits from Sun City retiree donations—vintage items, quality tools, and collectibles at standard Goodwill prices.
What should I look for at Austin estate sales?
Austin estate sales regularly yield vintage clothing, mid-century furniture, quality electronics, collectibles, and tools. Focus on Westlake and Tarrytown sales for designer items, and Georgetown Sun City sales for vintage and antiques.
How do I find estate sales in Austin?
EstateSales.net is the primary resource. Follow local estate sale companies (Austin Estate Sales, Blue Moon, Caring Transitions) on social media for advance notice. Check Nextdoor and Facebook for smaller family-run sales.
Are there any good flea markets near Austin?
Austin Country Flea Market (weekends) is the largest local option. Round Rock Market Days (first Saturday) offers vintage finds with less competition. For serious flea market sourcing, Canton Trade Days (3 hours east) is worth the drive quarterly.
What’s the best strategy for garage sales in Austin?
Map your route the night before using Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace listings. Start at 7am in affluent neighborhoods (Westlake, Tarrytown, Travis Heights). Bring cash in small bills and don’t hesitate to negotiate—especially after 10am when sellers want to clear inventory.
Final Thoughts
Austin’s thrift store scene rewards resellers who put in the work to learn store rhythms, build relationships with staff, and venture beyond the obvious locations. While South Austin stores get the attention, suburban locations in Round Rock, Cedar Park, and Georgetown often deliver better margins with less competition.
The key to Austin thrifting success is consistency. Hit your route two to three times per week, show up early, and don’t skip items because they need cleaning or minor repair. The resellers making real money here aren’t finding treasure every trip—they’re building inventory through persistent, educated sourcing.
Whether you’re visiting Austin for a sourcing trip or live here full-time, this guide gives you the roadmap. The stores, times, and strategies covered here work—but the real advantage comes from taking action and learning what sells in your specific niche.
Happy hunting, and may your thrifts be profitable.