Ventura is a quintessential seashore city — somewhat rustic, unpretentious and fewer frenetic than its counterparts in Orange County or L.A. You’re extra more likely to spot a classic VW bus and The Dude wannabes in Ventura than folks in fits driving shiny new Mercedes or BMWs.

So it’s no shock that Ventura can be a thrift store haven. These will not be glamorous shops — many are warehouse-sized with well-worn flooring and scuffed-up partitions — however that doesn’t appear to discourage the throngs of cut price seekers or treasure hunters out for the final word thrift-store prize: one thing that’s promoting for far more on Ebay.

Perhaps it’s these high-inflation occasions however Ventura’s thrift shops are busy even on weekdays — moms holding sleeping infants, quickly looking by means of toddler garments on borrowed time; preteens critically inspecting skirts or denims for stains or (hopefully) rips; a younger man in cutoffs making an attempt on button-down shirts in a quest for enterprise informal; and my pals, skilled thrifters, jubilantly clutching crystal stemless wine glasses — simply $4.50 for 3! — and an exquisitely embroidered $40 silk kimono truly made in Japan!

One in every of my pals, Leslie, lives in central Washington and attire primarily in pricy labels she scored for pennies on the greenback at her native Goodwill, like a Patagonia puffer jacket and a Lululemon gown in good situation. The trick, she says, is to be affected person and browse thrift shops often.

It additionally helps to know the worth of what you’re purchasing for, says my different pal, Bernie — you don’t wish to spend extra on a curated used merchandise than you possibly can on one thing comparable at an outlet mall, until the merchandise is so distinctive it deserves the additional bucks.

Principally, this information is targeted on primary thrift shops, the sort that kind by means of the piles of stuff folks donate, give usable issues a value and put them on cabinets as rapidly as they will. Fortunately, there are many this sort of retailer in Ventura, supporting quite a lot of causes from help for battered ladies to shelters for deserted pets.

And don’t fear about picked-over merchandise. We visited a number of shops on a latest Wednesday, and the workers have been stocking cabinets so quick, some gadgets hadn’t even been priced. In the meantime we might see different workers accepting bagfuls of recent donations.

Earlier than we sort out the listing, listed below are a number of remaining notes:

• Ventura has a good variety of consignment shops or classic retailers the place used gadgets (normally clothes or furnishings) have been fastidiously curated and priced accordingly larger. There’s nonetheless some bargains available, however little likelihood you’ll discover a treasure for a few bucks.
• A lot of the thrift shops are on or close to Predominant Road in Ventura, both downtown or in Mid Metropolis.
• Verify to verify your retailer is open. Many depend on volunteers or restricted employees to maintain the doorways open, in order that they don’t at all times maintain common hours and a few are open just a few days per week.
• Every one of these shops settle for debit playing cards, however money remains to be king on the subject of bargaining.
• Dressing rooms are nonexistent on the large thrift shops however they don’t thoughts you making an attempt on garments within the aisles — so long as you retain your individual garments on.
• Even essentially the most rustic thrift retailer has a particular counter or locked bookcase stuffed with uncommon finds. They’re priced larger than what you’ll discover elsewhere within the retailer however take a look at the locked instances — you by no means know what they could include.
• For those who love thrifting, and might go to Ventura on a Wednesday, don’t miss the Wednesday Swap Meet on the Ventura County Fairgrounds. It’s presently closed for the county honest however ought to restart on Aug. 24, from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission is $2 and the choices are intensive — furnishings, kitchenware, clothes, musical devices, toys en masse, comedian books …. actually, when you can think about it, it’s most likely there, with costs starting from subsequent to nothing to “Are you kidding?” The very best stuff goes early, however observe that the later it will get within the day, the extra prepared distributors are to barter. They’re principally a cheerful, welcoming bunch who love to speak with regulars as a lot as they wish to promote.