Looking for thrift stores in Nanaimo that aren’t Value Village? You’re in the right place. I’ve made a list of my favorite local spots where you can find amazing deals and help support good causes. These are real thrift stores – the kind where prices are low and you might find something super special for just a few dollars. While Nanaimo has some nice consignment shops too, this list is just about true thrift stores where you can save money and find cool stuff.

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Related: A complete list of online thrift stores in Canada

Deny’s D. Deals

Address: 499 Seventh St, Nanaimo

You’ll love checking out Deny’s D. Deals, one of the coolest thrift stores in Nanaimo. The store works differently from others – instead of price tags, you can just make an offer for what you think items are worth, and Denny the owner is super friendly about it. What makes shopping here even better is knowing that your money helps local sports teams and community projects.

Nanaimo Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Store

Address: Northridge Village Mall, 5800 Turner Rd #202, Nanaimo

If you’re looking for the best thrift store in Nanaimo, the Nanaimo Hospital Auxiliary Thrift Store is a great spot. It’s well-organized, clean, and run by super friendly volunteers who make you feel welcome. Prices are very fair, and all profits go to support local health care. You’ll find a great selection here, though the store could be bigger to fit even more treasures!

Hospice Shoppe

Address: 1925 Bowen Rd, Nanaimo

Hospice Shoppe is one of the best thrift stores in Nanaimo, with all profits going to support local hospice care. The friendly volunteers and great prices make it a favorite. Every Thursday, you get 30% off everything, and you can follow their Facebook page for more sales updates. It’s a spot where you can find deals and help the community at the same time.

Tip: 30% off everything every Thursday!

Vancouver Island Thrift Store

Address: 1585 Bowen Rd Unit 1, Nanaimo

Vancouver Island Thrift Store is a locally owned spot and considered one of the best thrift stores in Nanaimo. It’s been around for 16 years, supporting local charities and offering a loyalty card and discount for donations. Prices are fair. Not the cheapest but still good for quality items. Keep an eye out for tag sales and discounts to snag even better deals!

Big Deals Boutique

Address: 2030 Northfield Rd, Nanaimo

Big Deals Boutique is a hidden gem and one of the best thrift stores in Nanaimo, known for its great deals and friendly staff. With a huge selection of clean, gently used clothing, you can find clothes for women, men, and kids here. They’re famous for $15 bag sales, where you can fill a bag with clothes for one low price. Every purchase also supports Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Vancouver Island, making it a win for you and the community!

Habitat For Humanity Nanaimo ReStore

Address: 4128 Mostar Rd #1, Nanaimo

You never know what cool surprises you’ll find at the Habitat For Humanity ReStore in Nanaimo, especially with their extra furniture store just around the corner. While the prices can be a bit random – sometimes you’ll score amazing deals, other times things might seem expensive – it’s worth checking out for unique finds like random movie props and furniture.

Good Neighbour Thrift Store

Location: 4196 Departure Bay Rd, Nanaimo

Good Neighbour Thrift Store is a locally owned spot that some people love, but others find it a bit overwhelming. The store is often crowded and can feel pricey compared to other places. While you might discover some unique items, it’s important to know that they don’t donate profits to charity, which is a downside for many thrifters.

Salvation Army Thrift Store

Locations:

Address: 1613 Bowen Rd, Nanaimo
Address: 6750 Island Hwy N, Nanaimo

Salvation Army Thrift Store has two locations in Nanaimo, but it might not be the best thrift store in Nanaimo for everyone. Some people find the prices a bit high, which seems common for thrift stores these days. The staff isn’t always the friendliest, and many say the stores are so packed with clothes that it’s hard to look through everything. If you’re checking it out, the north end location might be worth a visit, but be prepared for a cluttered space.

Arbutus Quality Used Books

Address: 87 Nicol St, Nanaimo

Arbutus Quality Used Books might just be the best thrift store in Nanaimo for book lovers. You can find great used books for just $1, which is a steal! The selection is diverse, with lots of newer bestsellers and amazing kids’ books at super cheap prices. Neal, the owner, is super friendly and always makes your visit enjoyable, making it a great place to explore and discover new reads. Cash-only, tax free

Best Choice Quality Used Books

Address: 1300 Waddington Rd, Nanaimo

Best Choice Quality Used Books is a cozy spot that might be the best thrift store in Nanaimo for book lovers. You’ll find it’s bigger than it looks, with a kids’ corner filled with toys and a huge selection of books. The shelves are overflowing with options, so there’s always something new to explore. It’s a cute place where you can easily spend some time browsing through all the great finds!

Journey beyond Nanaimo

SOS Thrift Shop

Address: 188 West Hirst Avenue, Parksville

Looking for the best thrift store in Nanaimo? You’ll actually want to drive up to Parksville for SOS Thrift Shop, and trust me, it’s worth the trip. This huge two-floor store is packed with low-priced treasures donated by local community members, and you’ll love how they offer special discounts on different colored tags each day. The friendly staff make shopping here fun, and the best part is that all the money from your purchases goes straight to helping people through SOS programs and community outreach.

Ladysmith Health Care Auxiliary Thrift Store

Address: 910 1st Ave, Ladysmith

While it’s not technically the best thrift store in Nanaimo, you’ll want to make the short drive to Ladysmith to check out the Health Care Auxiliary Thrift Store, where you’ll find the lowest prices on Vancouver Island. The super friendly staff and packed shelves make this popular spot worth the trip, plus you can follow their Instagram (@ladysmiththriftstore) to catch discount days and special deals.

Chemainus Thrift Shop Health Care Auxiliary

Address: 9867 Maple St, Chemainus

Drive just past Ladysmith to Chemainus and you’ll discover a hidden gem that’s been helping the community since 1958. At the Chemainus Health Care Auxiliary Thrift Shop, friendly volunteers keep everything super clean and organized, making it easy for you to spot amazing deals and cool finds. The money from your purchases helps support local healthcare, which makes finding treasures here even more special.

Gabriola Island Recycling Organization Re-store

Address: 700 Tin Can Alley, Gabriola

Just a 20-minute ferry ride from Nanaimo takes you to Gabriola Island’s Re-store, which is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays. You’ll find everything here from clothes and books to bikes and building supplies, with the indoor space packed with everyday items and an outdoor area full of bigger treasures like gardening tools and sports equipment.

Thanks for checking out these awesome local thrift stores in Nanaimo. Each one is special and your shopping helps support our community way more than going to Value Village. I hope you find some cool stuff at these stores!