Thrifting Frenzy: 3 Popular Minnesota Stores Where It Is Wild

I was on the phone with my teenager when she told me,

"Mom, I'm not sure if you'll like this or not but it is something you need to do at least once.  It's an experience."

I was nervous.  A little scare of whatever this unknown "experience" was.  But also intrigued.  Obviously, I HAD to go do this at least once.

'Thrifting Gone Wild' is Real and Happens at 3 Thrift Stores in Minnesota

The "experience" was a day of thrifting that I will never forget! 

My daughter and I ventured to a new place for me - one that I didn't even know existed in Minnesota.  After talking with a few friends, I realized that others also had zero clue that this thrifting palace was around and full of bargains waiting for you to take home.

They also didn't realize how wild it was inside.

READ MORE: 13 Items Goodwill Stores Will Not Accept in Minnesota

The Wild Thrifting Experience in Minnesota You Must Try At Least Once

If you love thrifting at Saver's and Goodwill, you need to make the drive to St. Paul, Brooklyn Park, or Chaska, Minnesota for the wildest bargain hunting trip you'll ever take.  And with eggs hitting almost $4, and inflation impacting all of our purchases, you NEED to find deals.  And these three places are where you will find them.

You will come out with loads of amazing deals that will cost you almost nothing.  I got a HUGE list of items for just $26!  (See that list below.)

Before you walk through the doors though and start thrifting, you need to know the rules or you could get yelled at.  Seriously...someone will yell at you...but in a somewhat nice way. 

The rules, the wildness, and the desire to wear gloves while you shop are all worth it because the deals are amazing.

Here's Everything You Need to Know Before You Go Thrifting at the Goodwill Outlets in Minnesota

• There are three locations - St. Paul and Brooklyn Park have a Goodwill Outlet.  Chaska's location is called a Goodwill Wholesale.  See hours and addresses here.

• Wear plastic gloves.  I didn't see anything that was gross or nasty while I was digging for treasures but you just don't know what you might be touching or what germs might be on items that were donated, especially during the pandemic.  Keep yourself safe and wear gloves.

• Stay behind the yellow line!  Every once in a while the bins get replaced with new bins full of new treasures.  When the bins are rolled in everyone needs to stand behind the yellow line.  Good chance you will hear someone shout out "If you are toes are on the yellow line, you are NOT behind the yellow line.".  People will crowd around you so just be prepared for that.

• Do NOT touch the new bins before they say "Go!"  When the new bins come out you need to stay behind the yellow line AND also keep your hands off.  Someone will shout out "Go!" and that is your cue to start digging.
• Watch out!  People throw things.  As the new bins are ready for people to start digging be prepared to have people near you and just know that things may end up getting thrown.  Bags of items will be torn open.  Boxes will be opened up and things will probably get dumped.

• Bring your own bags.  There is a good chance you won't have a shopping cart to use and you won't be given bags when you leave to store all your new treasures.  Bring a few reusable bags that are light in weight, some plastic bags, or some big garbage bags and just plan on using that to collect your thrifting treasures.  Lightweight is key though because these will be weighed when it is time to pay for your items.

• Nothing is organized.  And when I say "nothing", I mean that everything is thrown in bins and you just have to search.  The bins aren't too deep but they are pretty wide and if you are vertically challenged you will need to reach a bit to get to the other side.  Think of it as a little workout.  You may see items clumped in categories but there is a good chance other items are in there too.  Oh, and the shoes are not paired together so you will be hunting the entire area and possibly multiple bins just to find a match.  That is IF you find the match.

• Most of the items are not priced. The only items that will have prices on them are the furniture.  Everything else is either sold by the pound, by piece or if it is a book, the price is per inch.  The pricing list above is from a few years ago.

Here's What I Got For $26 at the Goodwill Outlet in Minnesota!

Let's just say that I scored some awesome stuff!  Here's the stash I got from my "Thrifting Gone Wild" adventure:

• 2 Love Your Melon hats,
• winter coat in perfect condition,
• fancy dress that is perfect for a gala,
• several sweaters,
• quite a few tank tops,
• handful of new shirts,
• a pair of practically new boots,
• and a few stocking stuffers for my kids that were brand new items.

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