Collecting things may be my favorite hobby. I am definitely someone who feels like they need to buy a little something everyday – whether that be a coffee, a sticker, or (my recent favorite) baby tees. Although I should practice spending my money in better ways, I’ve come to look forward to my frequent purchases, and what makes these purchases even better is when the things I am buying are cute.Â
So, if you feel like you have been spending your money poorly, look no further! I’ve put together a list of places that I love going to in Ann Arbor to find cute trinkets.Â
- Thrift Stores: Chains
The two bigger thrifts I have found close to campus are Salvation Army (1621 S State St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104) and Goodwill (3782 Carpenter Rd, Ypsilanti, MI 48197).Â
Salvation Army has a good amount of clothes to look through and boasts a home decor section. I have found old crochet pieces and sewing projects in the furniture section, as well as some super cute frames and little figurines. Their picnic basket section is pretty unbeatable, so this may be your sign if you’ve been thinking about getting in one last Arb hangout with your friends before winter hits. You can also take one of the city buses to get to Salvation Army if you don’t have a car, which can be super convenient.Â
Last week, I found a vintage Kodak camera at Goodwill for $5. They have a great technology section where you can find headphones, keyboards, microphones, and sometimes an electric guitar. Goodwill also has a pretty great collection of funky lamps, cute art for your bedroom wall, and the most perfect sets of teacups. While this store is a little bit further from campus, the trip is definitely worth your time!
- University Vintage
University Vintage opened up a pop-up shop on 324 S State Street in Ann Arbor (by Noodles and Co)! They are open Wednesday-Saturday from 12pm-7pm and on Sundays from 12pm-5pm. They carry a ton of super cool UMich merch, all of which would be perfect for the upcoming Ohio State game. Their sweatshirts and jackets are especially super awesome. Go check this out when you’re in the area – you definitely will not regret it. Â
- Smaller Thrift Stores
Sometimes, I feel like I just need to get off campus. I love taking little excursions to the nearby towns when I am looking for a fun daytime activity. While I was in Ann Arbor over the past summer (and had a lot of free time to explore), I found some smaller shops throughout the area that I have come to love.Â
Two of my favorites are Vintage Depot (19 E Cross St, Ypsilanti, MI 48198) and a2vintage (128 W Michigan Ave, Ypsilanti, MI 48197). Vintage Depot has a super cool selection of vintage pieces, including cool handbags, coats, and unique jewelry. The owners and workers love to chit-chat, and the space overall has a super nice feeling. a2vintage has a ton of things to look through: podcards from other countries, old love letters, tons of records, wall decor, and great baby tees. There are also a bunch of great coffee shops in the area – you should definitely check it out!
Before finals start, you should totally take some self-care time and go to scope out these places. I truly believe there is something for everyone; and you don’t know until you look. :)