Thrifting through Kentucky
Enjoy the thrill of the hunt on budget
THERE’S NOTHING BETTER THAN finding a treasure you’ve been seeking—and then paying next to nothing for it. Thrifting is the thrill of the hunt, bargain-basement prices and keeping items out of the landfill all rolled into one fabulous journey of discovery.
Amen House
“I recently found a mint-condition vintage silver tea kettle for just $7.50 at Amen House Thrift Store,” says Bailey Gilkerson of Georgetown. “The inside looked like it had never been used and, after a quick polish, it looked beautiful.”
A mission-based thrift store, Amen House seeks to end hunger in Scott County. To that end, the shop sells donated clothing and small household items at affordable prices. All money made from thrift store sales stays in the community, going back into Amen House programs, including Food Pantry, Business Ready and Fresh Start.
“Our store has everyday items at reasonable prices—most under $5— but also treasures that I can’t believe people donate to us, including vintage, antique and expensive items,” says manager Lisa Zwick.
Everyone is invited to shop at the Amen House Thrift Store in Georgetown. Photo: Georgetown/Scott County Tourism
One such bounty was a local woman’s collection of vintage, still-in-the-box Barbie dolls that dated back to the 1980s. A quick search of Amen House’s online store, launched a year ago to offer convenient browsing for unique, high-value donations, shows the pristine dolls ranging in price from just $15 to $22 each.
“The donor knew the collectibles could fetch high prices if she’d sold them herself, but chose to support Amen House’s hunger-relief mission instead,” says Zwick.
Our Place
In Greensburg, Our Place, a nonprofit thrift shop served by Taylor County RECC, was organized by local church and community groups and opened its doors in 1997.
“We have everything from clothing and shoes for men, women and children to pots and pans, sheets and blankets, framed pictures—you name it,” says Diane Hall, president of the board of directors. “Clothing is our bestseller.”
From toys to trampolines, shoppers never know what they might find at Greensburg’s Our Place. Photo: Our Place
The shop gives back to the community in various ways, including helping kids with back-to-school clothing and giving money to community partners such as the Green County Public Library, Food Pantry and Family Resource Center.
“Since we have been in business for almost 30 years, it seems there are more thrift stores in our area, but we have never lacked for donations and we are grateful for that,” says Hall.
The most unusual donation?
A late 19th-century, coin-shaped graduation and achievement medal from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary in Philadelphia, inscribed with a Biblical verse written in Latin. (And yes, someone bought it.)
Rabbit Hole
Thrifters know there’s shopping, and then there’s falling down a rabbit hole. Kendra Cheno has created just such a wonderland experience at her Leitchfield shop, The Rabbit Hole.
This curated mini-mall experience, opened in November 2024, is filled with an ever-changing mix of vintage finds, new home decor, furniture, clothing and home fragrances.
Shopping adventures await at The Rabbit Hole in Leitchfield. Photo: The Rabbit Hole
“We carefully source pieces that feel special, interesting, beautiful and a little unexpected,” says Cheno. “We like to think of shopping here as an experience rather than an errand.”
From searching for that perfect piece of furniture to finding items to refresh a room to putting together a new outfit, shoppers find a little bit of everything here.
“Come curious, take your time and see where the rabbit hole leads you,” advises Cheno.
Ella James Boutique & Consignment
In Benton, the shift toward secondhand style is equally strong.
“Thrifting has become much more than simply finding inexpensive clothing,” says Tiffany Lile, co-owner of Ella James Boutique & Consignment, a locally owned upscale consignment store in Benton. “Today, customers shop secondhand because they value sustainability, quality and the excitement of discovering unique pieces they won’t find in big-box stores.”
The shop offers affordable fashion for women, men and children, providing high-quality, name-brand items alongside shoes, handbags and seasonal decor, while helping local consignors earn money by giving gently used items a second life. Boutique apparel, denim, graphic tees and handbags remain top sellers, boosted by weekly color-tag sales.
“Social media has also transformed the industry,” says Lile. “Customers now follow new arrivals, sales and styling ideas online, making thrifting more popular than ever. We’ve seen shoppers of every age embrace consignment as a smart, fashionable and environmentally friendly way to shop.”
Whether seeking ways to stretch your budget, discover a one-of-a-kind vintage treasure, support meaningful community causes—or all of the above—Kentucky’s thrift and consignment shops offer an unbeatable adventure. All it takes is a little curiosity, a willingness to dig and a passion for the hunt.
Featured shops:
Amen House Thrift Store
1030 Paris Pike, Georgetown; (502) 699-4573, Facebook: AMEN House Thrift Store. Hours: 9 a.m.–2 p.m. and 5:30–7:30 Tuesday; 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Wednesday–Friday; 10 a.m.–1 p.m. Saturday; 1:30–4 p.m. Sunday.
Ella James Boutique & Consignment
750 Main St., Benton; (270) 387-0057, Facebook: Ella James Boutique. Hours: 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Tuesday–Friday; 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Saturday.
Our Place
623 Columbia Hwy., Greensburg; (270) 779-5067, Facebook: Thrift Shop – Our Place. Hours: 9 a.m.–4 p.m., Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
The Rabbit Hole
101 North Heyser Drive, Leitchfield; (270) 259-0085, Facebook: the rabbit hole. Hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Wednesday–Saturday.
More bargain hunting:
Classy & Sassy Consignments
1597 Cavalry Drive, Union; (859) 817-0996, Facebook: Classy & Sassy Consignments.
Beautifully arranged with quality clothing, designer purses, furniture, home decor and more, plus a seasonal section and one room dedicated to kitchen items. Hours: 10:30 a.m.–6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; noon–4 p.m. Sunday.
Heavenly Treasures Mission Store
134 E. Main St., Springfield; (859) 481-6105, Facebook: Heavenly Treasures Mission Store.
Affiliated with historic Springfield Presbyterian Church, the shop stocks antique/vintage items, home goods, quality clothing for all ages and more. Hours: 10 a.m.–3 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
Nifty Thrifty Bargains Thrift and Variety Store
597 Old Clear Springs Road, Jamestown; Facebook: Nifty Thrifty Bargains Thrift and Variety Store.
Owner Cheryl Wooten’s “retirement side gig” stocks lots of clothing, furniture, kitchen items, home decor and home-built items. Hours: 10 a.m.–2 p.m. Friday and Saturday.
Second Chance Consignment and Variety Store
4970 Nolin Dam Road, Mammoth Cave; (270) 246-0677, Facebook: Second Chance Consignment and Variety Store.
Home decor and accessories, seasonal items, plenty of clothing, including outerwear and more. Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday-Saturday.
Serendipity for the Home
8345 E. Main St., Alexandria; (859) 694-3200, Facebook: Serendipity for the Home.
Furniture, glass collections, handmade and seasonal items and more, all beautifully arrayed on the main level, plus an upstairs room with more treasures and a basement with a hodgepodge of finds. Hours: 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Wednesday–Saturday.
Shelby Vintage
518 Main St., Shelbyville; (502) 437-0043, instagram.com/shelbyvintage.
Braden Roberts started his business as a 19-year-old in 2023 and has expanded twice. He carries a huge inventory of pre-1990s clothing, including logoed T-shirts, caps, jackets, shoes, boots and more. Hours: noon–6 p.m. Tuesday–Saturday; 1–6 p.m. Sunday.
THRIFT SHOP JACKPOT IN BENTON
In addition to the Ella James Boutique & Consignment, Benton has a bonanza of thrift shops—all located on Main Street:
Benton MarketPlace, 1026 Main St.; (270) 527-7922, Facebook: Benton Marketplace. Find 60 booths on 11,000 square feet filled with home decor and gift items, furniture, jewelry, women’s boutique clothing and more.
Dandelions and Grace, 94 Main St.; dandelionsandgrace.ky@gmail.com, Facebook: Dandelions & Grace Benton KY. Shop for vintage treasures, handmade finds, home decor and more.
RGS (Really Good Stuff) on Main, 1317 Main St.; (270) 387-0025, Facebook: R.G.S on main. Packed with everything from new to old, bargain hunters discover a variety of goodies they might unearth in grandma’s attic, “but way cooler.”
KATHY WITT is an award-winning travel and lifestyle writer based in northern Kentucky and the author of seven books, including Perfect Day Kentucky and Secret Cincinnati.
