My early birthday gift to myself was a darling, soft pink, vintage button-down shirt with satin embroidered flowers. It was stuffed tight on the rack between ruffled shirts at the Yoshi NOW! thrift shop. The original tag was so small and worn that I could barely make out the sizing or care instructions. That was when I discovered the hidden magic of thrifting Downtown.
By Amanda De Anda
While a New York Times article solemnly announced, “the golden age of thrifting is over,” the thrifting spirit is alive and well in Downtown Fresno. With more than 10 stores in the area alone, there are plenty of places to find what you’re looking for — or just browse. Here are a handful of shops to visit next time you’re downtown.
1. Yoshi NOW!
You can’t miss the mural of patterns and a bright green “NOW!” on the side of the building. The first thing you see inside Yoshi NOW! is an eclectic arrangement of furniture. Past that, there are ceramics and nick-nacks along one of the walls. To the right, rows and rows of hanging clothes. Tucked in the far back right wall is a holy grail of thick leather jackets – fringe optional.
Their specialty
The selection of functional to eclectic furniture is the most fun part of the shop to look through. Yoshi NOW! is the spot you will find something vintage to take home without much effort (except getting it to fit in the trunk of your car, of course).
2. D.A.V. Thrift Stores
D.A.V. Thrift Store is huge yet thoughtful. You’ll find small displays throughout the shop showcasing housewares, color-coordinated outfits on mannequins, and just about anything you can think of. There are rows and rows to pick through, which may feel overwhelming at first, but this is the kind of store where you can peruse through the inventory and never reach the end.
Their specialty
D.A.V. has a great balance of clothing and furniture. Their wide selection and variety of inventory has something for everyone. Most importantly, proceeds from the thrift store support disabled American veterans.
3. Emerald Thrift
This thrift store seems small from the outside but feels huge from the inside. At Emerald, shelves of miscellaneous ceramics greet you at the door. Beyond that, there are long rows filled to the brim with clothing. This is the place to flex those thrifting skills since there is a ton to look through.
Their specialty
Emerald is the place to find the best prices. They constantly have sales and even have a 50% off during the holidays. Emerald keeps a full stock and is budget friendly. What more can a thrifter ask for?
4. Bad Kids Club
If you don’t want to pick through a big thrift shop yourself or if you just don’t have thrifting luck, Bad Kids Club offers a cool and curated collection that is impossible to leave without something catching your eye.
“We are secretly tucked inside the Mammoth Mall but we like to think we’re worth the search,” said Bad Kids Club when I reached out to them via Instagram.
Their specialty
This shop comes with a steeper price in exchange for a properly retro collection. They specialize in streetwear and vintage styles that are hard to find anywhere else. Bad Kids Club even has custom designed clothing pieces and jewelry floating around their stock. Plus, they do returns!
5. ArtHop
We can’t forget about thrifting at ArtHop. On the first and third Thursday of every month, you can find the most curated pop-up shops along the streets of Downtown Fresno. Thrifting at ArtHop is a great way to find something from smaller vendors from all over.
Thrifting is a form of homage to the designs, styles and trends of past decades. With even more young people showing interest in thrifting, it is exciting to see how the thrifting scene in Fresno will change. No matter how you thrift, even with a handy map designed by Bad Kids Club, Downtown Fresno is the place to get lost in the shops.
Flourishing Fresno 