
Making candles in reused containers requires me to go to thrift stores very frequently. Multiple-times-per-week frequently. I’m always hunting for vintage punch glasses and mugs, but especially canning jars (I stock a few shops with these exclusively). After exhausting all my thrift-store standbys this week searching for these elusive jars, I had to seek out some new territory. Unfortunately, I read some Chicago thrift store guides that led me astray! The Salvation Army in Evanston has apparently been demolished and the one on Belmont does not exist. So I am going to make a guide to help me on future trips, and to help you, dear reader.
As enormous as this city is, it’s tough to know where to start. Here is a list, categorized by neighborhood. I should note that most of these are on the North side (selfishly), because I live on the North side.
Albany Park
Village Discount Outlet
3301 W. Lawrence Ave.
Chicago, IL 60625
Village Discount Outlet
4635 N Elston Ave
Chicago, IL 60630
Andersonville
Brown Elephant
5404 N. Clark Street
Chicago, IL
Bridgeport
Unique Thrift
3000 S. Halsted St.
Chicago, 60608
Bucktown
Village Discount Outlet
2032 N Milwaukee Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
Humbolt Park
Salvation Army
5713 W. Chicago
Chicago, IL 60651
Salvation Army
4141 W. North Ave
Chicago, IL 60641
Irving Park
Unique Thrift
3748 N. Elston Ave.
Chicago, 60618
Kelvyn Park
Unique Thrift
4441 West Diversey Avenue
Chicago, IL
Lakeview
Brown Elephant
3651 N. Halsted Street
773-549-5943
Logan Sqaure
Family Thrift
2160 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60647
Salvation Army
3837 W. Fullerton Ave
Chicago, IL 60647
The Ark Thrift Shop
1302 North Milwaukee Avenue
Chicago, IL 60622
Lower West Side
Salvation Army
2024 S. Western
Chicago, IL 60608
McKinley Park
Unique Thrift
3542 S. Archer Ave.
Chicago, 60609
Salvation Army
5112 S. Ashland Ave
Chicago, IL 60609
Montclare
Unique Thrift
6560 W. Fullerton Ave.
Chicago, 60707
Portage Park
Salvation Army
2941 N. Central Ave
Chicago, IL 60634
Ravenswood
Chicago Family & Thrift Store
3301 W. Montrose Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
Village Discount Outlet
4027 N Kedzie Ave
Chicago, IL 60618
River North
Salvation Army
509 North Union St.
Chicago, IL 60610
Rogers Park
Unique Thrift
7530 N. Western Ave.
Chicago, 60645
Roscoe Village
Village Discount Outlet
2043 W Roscoe St
Chicago, IL 60618
Sheridan Park
Unique Thrift
4445 N. Sheridan Rd.
Chicago, 60640
Uptown
Salvation Army
4315 N. Broadway Ave
Chicago, IL 60613
Village Discount Outlet
4898 N. Clark St.
Chicago, IL 60640
West DePaul
Salvation Army
2270 North Clyborun
Chicago, IL 60614
West Ridge
Salvation Army
2151 West Devon
Chicago, IL 60659