The Ultimate Guide to Thrift Shopping in the Des Moines Metro

Des Moines has a massive and constantly changing second-hand shopping scene. Whether you are a college student furnishing your first apartment, a parent buying back-to-school clothes, or a shopper committed to sustainable fashion, knowing exactly where to go is half the battle.

Not all second-hand shops in Des Moines carry the same type of inventory. To help you plan a successful shopping route, we have broken down the best thrift stores in the metro based on what you are actually looking for.

Best for Furniture and Home Goods

Finding quality used furniture requires visiting stores with the square footage to display large items.

• Habitat for Humanity ReStore (Des Moines and Urbandale): If you are doing a DIY home renovation, this is your first stop. They specialize in building materials, hardware, light fixtures, and appliances, alongside donated furniture.

• Many Hands Thrift (Grimes and Merle Hay): Our Grimes and Merle Hay locations feature massive sales floors specifically designed to handle large furniture drop-offs. If you need a couch, a dining room table, or a dresser, these locations process hundreds of large items weekly.

  

  

  

• St. Vincent de Paul (Des Moines): With two locations in the metro, they are a consistent source for affordable, basic home furnishings and household goods.

  
  

Best for Everyday Clothing and Family Budgets

When you need to outfit a growing family or find basic professional wear, you need stores with high turnover and massive clothing racks.

• Goodwill of Central Iowa (Multiple Locations): Goodwill has the largest footprint in the metro. Their stores are highly standardized, making it easy to sort through thousands of garments categorized by size and color.

• Many Hands Thrift (Indianola): Located just south of the metro, this store is a community staple. It is heavily favored by locals for its large children's clothing section, affordable adult apparel, and an extensive book collection.

  

  

  

• Salvation Army Family Store (Des Moines): A classic destination for budget-conscious shoppers looking for steep daily discounts on donated clothing.

  
  

Best for a Boutique Experience and Unique Finds

Sometimes you are not looking for basics. You want a curated experience, unique home decor, or higher-end clothing brands without the retail price tag.

• Animal Lifeline Thrift Shop (South Des Moines): A favorite for animal lovers, this smaller shop is known for its quirky, eclectic mix of home decor, glassware, and accessories.

• Many Hands Thrift (Clive): Our Clive location often feels more like a boutique, with vintage clothes having their own rack space. The inventory here is highly curated, making it the best spot to find nearly-new name brands, modern home decor, and unique accessories.

Why Where You Shop Matters

The best part about thrifting in Des Moines is that your dollar usually goes back into the community. Habitat for Humanity builds local housing. Animal Lifeline supports local shelter pets. Goodwill funds local employment training.

At Many Hands, the revenue generated in our stores funds international community development in Haiti and Abaco, Bahamas. Your local purchases build safe concrete homes, provide medical care, and fund schools for families in extreme poverty.

The next time you need to make a purchase, consider checking your local non-profit thrift stores first. You will save money, keep items out of the landfill, and support life-changing causes.

wearemanyhands.org