8 Huge Indiana Thrift Stores Where You Can Stock a Cart for Just $25

I’ve spent countless weekends diving headfirst into Indiana’s thrift scene, and let me tell you, nothing beats the thrill of pushing a cart overflowing with goodies without even denting your wallet.

These giant stores scattered across the state are like treasure troves, where $25 somehow turns into a mountain of finds you didn’t even know you needed.

From vintage clothing that makes you do a double-take, to quirky household pieces that suddenly feel essential, to those little one-of-a-kind treasures that make you grin from ear to ear; every trip feels like a mini-adventure. Honestly, hunting here isn’t just shopping; it’s a game, a challenge, and a thrill all rolled into one.

So grab a list, or just your curiosity, and get ready to explore some of Indiana’s best thrift spots where scoring a bargain feels like winning a jackpot.

Goodwill Outlet (The Bins – West) – 6650 W Washington St, Indianapolis, IN 46241

Pay-by-the-pound shopping transforms the entire thrift experience into something completely different. At this massive warehouse location on West Washington Street, merchandise gets wheeled out in giant blue bins throughout the day, creating genuine excitement among seasoned thrifters who know exactly when new stock appears.

The pricing structure here makes $25 feel like a fortune. Clothing costs just $1.69 per pound, while housewares run $0.69 per pound, meaning you can literally fill your cart and still have money left over.

Books, media, and smaller items get priced even lower, making this spot perfect for bulk shoppers or anyone furnishing an apartment on a tight budget.

Timing your visit makes all the difference at this location. Weekday mornings tend to be calmer, giving you space to dig through bins without competing with weekend crowds.

The store rotates stock constantly, so what you see one day might be completely different the next visit.

Bring gloves if you plan on serious digging, and wear comfortable shoes since you’ll be standing and moving around for a while. The warehouse setup means temperatures can vary with the seasons, so dress accordingly.

Many regulars bring their own bags or boxes to transport finds, though carts are available throughout the space.

This location sits near several restaurants along Washington Street, making it easy to grab lunch after a successful shopping session.

Goodwill Outlet (The Bins – East) – 4105 N Franklin Rd, Indianapolis, IN 46226

Franklin Road hosts another pay-by-pound paradise where your shopping strategy matters as much as your budget. This eastside location operates on the same pricing model as its western counterpart, but the neighborhood demographics often influence what merchandise flows through the doors.

You’ll find different styles and items compared to other outlets, making it worth visiting multiple locations.

The bin rotation schedule keeps things fresh and competitive. Staff members wheel out new bins at regular intervals, and experienced shoppers position themselves strategically to get first picks.

Don’t feel intimidated by the regulars though, as there’s genuinely enough merchandise for everyone, and the constant turnover means patience often rewards you better than aggressive digging.

This location excels for furniture hunters and household goods shoppers. The separate sections for larger items often hide incredible deals on lamps, small appliances, and décor pieces that cost pennies on the dollar compared to retail prices.

Your $25 budget could easily cover a cart full of kitchen essentials, a lamp, some clothing, and still leave change.

The Fort Harrison State Park sits just a few miles north, making this a great stop before or after enjoying outdoor activities. Several grocery stores and casual dining spots surround the area, so you can easily combine thrift shopping with other errands throughout the day.

Village Discount Outlet – 2706 E 165th St, Hammond, IN 46323

Hammond’s Village Discount Outlet brings Chicago-style thrift shopping across the state line into Indiana. This chain built its reputation on volume and variety, filling an enormous retail space with constantly rotating inventory that appeals to serious bargain hunters.

The organized layout makes navigation easier than bin-style outlets, while prices remain incredibly competitive.

Color-coded tag systems create automatic discounts throughout the week. Certain tag colors drop to half-price or even lower depending on the day, meaning strategic shoppers plan visits around these rotating sales.

Combined with already low base prices, your $25 can stretch to fill an entire cart during the right promotion.

The clothing selection here rivals department stores in sheer volume. Racks stretch across massive floor space, organized by category and size, making it possible to actually find what you need rather than relying purely on luck.

Shoes, accessories, and seasonal items get dedicated sections, while housewares and furniture occupy the back areas.

This Hammond location serves the entire northwest Indiana region, drawing shoppers from nearby communities who appreciate the combination of size and organization. The store sits in a busy retail corridor along 165th Street, with plenty of parking and easy access from the highway.

After shopping, you’re just minutes from Lake Michigan beaches or downtown Hammond’s restaurants and cafés, making it simple to turn thrift shopping into a full day trip.

Mission 27 Resale – 132 Leota St, Indianapolis, IN 46202

Supporting a good cause while shopping smart defines the experience at Mission 27 Resale. This nonprofit operation funnels proceeds directly into community programs, meaning every purchase contributes to local impact.

The store maintains higher standards for merchandise condition compared to some thrift outlets, creating a curated shopping experience where quality meets affordability.

Pricing reflects the mission-driven model while remaining accessible. Most clothing items range from $3 to $8, with household goods priced comparably low.

Your $25 budget easily covers multiple clothing pieces, shoes, and accessories, or could go toward larger furniture items that rotate through regularly.

The Leota Street location keeps a neighborhood feel despite its size. Staff members know regular customers by name, and the atmosphere encourages browsing without pressure.

The store organizes merchandise thoughtfully, with seasonal items featured prominently and clearance sections offering even deeper discounts on already low prices.

Downtown Indianapolis surrounds this location, placing you near the Mass Ave Arts District and countless dining options. The Indiana State Museum at 650 W Washington St sits less than a mile away, while White River State Park offers green space for post-shopping relaxation.

Local coffee shops and bakeries dot the nearby streets, making it easy to fuel up before or after treasure hunting.

The store’s commitment to community improvement adds meaningful purpose to your bargain shopping, knowing your purchases support programs helping Indianapolis residents in need.

St. Vincent de Paul Society Distribution Center – 1201 E Maryland St, Indianapolis, IN 46202

The St. Vincent de Paul Distribution Center operates on a scale that surprises first-time visitors. This isn’t your typical small charity shop, but rather a warehouse-sized operation that processes donations for multiple locations while also offering direct sales to the public.

The sheer volume of merchandise moving through this facility creates opportunities for incredible deals.

Pricing philosophy emphasizes accessibility over profit margins. Most items cost significantly less than traditional thrift stores, with frequent bag sales allowing you to stuff as much as possible into a provided bag for one flat price.

During these promotions, $25 could literally outfit an entire family or furnish multiple rooms.

The distribution center model means inventory changes constantly and dramatically. Donations arrive daily, get sorted quickly, and hit the sales floor while still fresh.

This rapid turnover increases your chances of finding current styles, newer items, and unexpected treasures that haven’t been picked over by multiple shoppers.

Maryland Street’s location places you in a historically significant Indianapolis neighborhood. The center sits near Fountain Square, a revitalized area known for arts, entertainment, and local eateries.

After shopping, explore the nearby Murphy Art Center at 1043 Virginia Ave or grab a bite at one of Fountain Square’s eclectic restaurants.

The facility’s charitable mission, combined with its massive scale and rock-bottom prices, makes it a must-visit destination for anyone serious about stretching their thrift shopping dollar in Indianapolis.

Uptown Cheapskate (Fort Wayne) – 4025 Ice Way, Fort Wayne, IN 46805

Fort Wayne’s Uptown Cheapskate breaks the traditional thrift store mold by focusing on current styles and younger demographics. This buy-sell-trade concept brings a boutique feel to secondhand shopping, carefully curating inventory to include trendy brands and contemporary fashions rather than random donations.

The result feels more like shopping at a hip retail store than digging through bins.

The pricing structure reflects this curated approach while remaining budget-friendly. Most items cost more than Goodwill outlets but significantly less than buying the same brands new.

Your $25 might buy two or three quality pieces rather than a full cart, but those pieces will be on-trend, name-brand items in excellent condition.

Inventory skews toward younger adult styles, with emphasis on brands popular among teens and twenty-somethings. Denim, athleisure, and seasonal fashion trends dominate the racks, all pre-screened for condition and style relevance.

The store also buys items from customers, meaning you could potentially trade in clothes for cash or store credit to stretch your budget even further.

The Ice Way location sits in a busy Fort Wayne retail area with plenty of surrounding shopping and dining options. Glenbrook Square mall lies nearby at 4201 Coldwater Rd, while numerous chain restaurants line the surrounding streets.

This area serves as Fort Wayne’s primary shopping district, making it convenient to combine your Uptown Cheapskate visit with other errands or entertainment throughout the day.

Thrifty Threads – 1501 W 86th St, Indianapolis, IN 46260

Northside Indianapolis shopping gets a boost from Thrifty Threads, a locally-focused thrift operation that balances size with organization. This store occupies substantial retail space along the busy 86th Street corridor, attracting shoppers from surrounding suburbs who appreciate the combination of selection and cleanliness.

The layout makes sense, with clear sections and logical organization that respects your time.

Competitive pricing keeps this store relevant despite nearby competition. Regular sales and promotional days offer additional discounts on already reasonable prices, and the store frequently runs themed sales focusing on specific categories or colors.

Your $25 budget comfortably covers multiple clothing items, accessories, and household goods, with room to spare for unexpected finds.

The merchandise mix reflects the surrounding neighborhoods, with donations coming from middle-class suburban families. This translates to good condition items, current styles, and practical household goods that actually work.

The home goods section particularly shines, offering kitchen items, décor, and small furniture pieces that could easily pass for new.

The 86th Street location puts you in the heart of Indianapolis’s northside shopping corridor. Nearby attractions include the Fashion Mall at Keystone at 8702 Keystone Crossing, just minutes away, while countless restaurants and cafés line the surrounding streets.

Holliday Park at 6363 Spring Mill Rd offers a nature escape less than two miles north, perfect for a post-shopping walk.

The area’s suburban convenience, combined with Thrifty Threads’ solid selection and fair prices, makes this a reliable stop for regular thrift shoppers.

Sell It Here (Lafayette) – 3805 Fortune Dr, Lafayette, IN 47905

Lafayette’s Sell It Here operates as a hybrid consignment and thrift outlet, creating a unique shopping environment where variety reaches impressive levels. This Fortune Drive location sprawls across significant square footage, dedicating space to everything from clothing and accessories to furniture, electronics, and sporting goods.

The consignment model means sellers price their own items, leading to occasional incredible deals when someone wants something gone quickly.

Pricing varies more dramatically here than at traditional thrift stores. Some items carry near-retail prices while others seem almost free, requiring shoppers to actually evaluate each piece individually.

This unpredictability works in your favor with a $25 budget, as patient hunting often uncovers underpriced gems that sellers marked low for quick turnover.

The store’s size demands time and attention. Unlike smaller thrift shops you can browse in 20 minutes, Sell It Here rewards thorough exploration with hidden treasures tucked into various sections.

The furniture area alone could occupy an entire visit, with constantly changing inventory as consignors bring in new pieces and sold items get removed.

Lafayette’s location makes this store a destination for shoppers from surrounding communities. Purdue University’s campus sits nearby, influencing inventory with student move-out donations and budget-conscious shoppers.

After treasure hunting, explore downtown Lafayette’s historic architecture or grab lunch at one of the local restaurants along Main Street.

The consignment model’s diversity, combined with the store’s impressive size, makes Sell It Here worth the drive for serious thrifters.