Discover the Gems of Bozeman’s Thrift Scene

With countless thrift stores scattered around Bozeman, it can be hard to figure out where to get the best and most affordable items. As a fan of thrifting myself, I decided to compile a list of my favorites — as much as it pains me to not gatekeep some of them.

Closest to Campus: Sacks Thrift Store

Sacks Thrift Store is conveniently located on Grand Avenue between Mendenhall and Main Street.

Everything in the store is 50 percent off on the first Saturday of the month, and there is typically a tag color that is on sale on specific days of the week. Sometimes its selection is a little bit picked over because of the store's popularity, but it is definitely worth your time to visit.

Moreover, by shopping there you are supporting a good cause. Sacks was founded in 1987 as a program put on by Help Center, Inc., a nonprofit in southwest Montana that provides mental health and sexual assault services, according to Nicole Buettner, the program manager at Sacks. 

“Everyone is welcome to come as they are in a judgment-free environment and you can in good conscience know the money spent here is directly investing in your community,” she said. 

Best for Outdoor Gear: Secondwind Sports

Secondwind Sports is an outdoor consignment shop located on Olive Street. The store was founded in 1988 and has dozens of options for any outdoor item you could ever need. 

Prices are higher than those of a normal thrift store since they operate on a consignment model. 

People can bring used items and clothes for the store to purchase and resell. The money you make is reimbursed as store credit or through a check. 

I don’t mind the cost because the shop selects high-quality brands and inspects all the items to ensure they are in good shape. I recently sold some of my dad’s outdoor gear and made enough money to grab some items for this summer.

Most Overlooked: Secondhand Rose

It pains me to recommend this spot because it is my favorite thrift store in Bozeman that nobody else seems to know about.

Secondhand Rose is located inside the Bozeman Senior Center on North Tracy Avenue. The prices are fantastic, although the hours could be inconvenient for students as it is only open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. 

This store is stacked to the ceiling with clothes, shoes, sewing supplies, knick-knacks and jewelry. It is reminiscent of an estate sale with many vintage pieces available at extremely reasonable prices. 

According to Shannon Bondy, the executive director of the senior center, proceeds go to Bozeman’s meals on wheels program and supports the senior center. 

I love that by shopping at the store, you support Bozeman’s senior community.  

Best Overall: Do Overs Thrift Store

Founded in 2022 by the owner of Bozeman’s Cash4Clothes, Do Overs is located on the corner of Baxter Lane and Simmental Way.

Some people might disagree with me, but Do Overs has it all. It may be a bit more expensive than most thrift stores on this list, but it makes up for it with the sheer quantity of items. 

The walls are filled with art for purchase and the back of the store is fully lined with shelves of shoes and housewares. There are racks and racks of clothes and blankets, a dedicated sportswear section and a whole corner full of media ranging from VHS tapes to vinyls. 

Whenever I need to find something at a thrift store — instead of spending hours searching for it — I can trust that Do Overs has what I need.