Thrifted Finds: Millie’s Treasure Chest

This weekend I made a pilgrimage to Millie’s, the place where it all started. I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves:

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Closeup here:IMG_1456 IMG_1462 IMG_1451IMG_1454

A calendar for every year from 1974 to 1990:IMG_1461

 

The fitting cubby – homey but SMALL.   IMG_1447

 

Not much resemblance to your typical well-lit, spacious thrift chain. But lest you think that even such establishments are devoid of thrift finds, I give you a sampling of the diamonds hidden in the rough:

Guess denim sleeveless shirt with studded collar–I would’ve bought this baby if it had fit:
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Yum:IMG_1459

Navy Jessica Simpson body con maternity dress:

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Acid wash cropped jean jacket:

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Iowa Hawkeyes kid’s shirt:

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For the hipsters out there, an authentic seed corn jacket:

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(A big thank you to my sister and my spouse for coming with me/holding clothes for photos!)
And besides clothing, you’ll find funky housewares and antique linens, old-timey toys and one-of-a-kind knick-knacks. All I came home with was an emroidered white hankdkerchief for a friend who’s collecting them, but the incredible stock and the trip down memory lane were worth their weight in gold.

What do you think of gems like Millie’s? Do the crammed shelves and dust mites give you the heebie jeebies, or does it look like a hardcore thrifter’s paradise? Would you bring home merchandise from somewhere similar?

4 thoughts on “Thrifted Finds: Millie’s Treasure Chest

  1. Leah,
    My anal mind would go crazy in this cramped, crowded store. I would be out the door in a minute. Hadn’t really done any thrifting until I started reading your articles. So, the other day I visited a Goodwill store. Clean and nicely laid out. I left with 4 coffee cups (except for me they are hot chocolate cups) and 5 summertime tops. Nothing fancy but I was like a kid at Christmas.
    Total for the goods was about $35.00.
    Thanks for the inspiration.
    Lee

    1. Lee,
      So glad you took the plunge! One of my favorite things to get at thrift stores are housewares that are in good shape and inexpensive–people give away great stuff. And a few thrifted tops go a long way towards freshening up your wardrobe without breaking the bank!
      Happy thrifting…
      Xoxox Leah

  2. I can smell it just looking at the pictures. My favorites from Millie’s are the kid-size Hawkeyes jersey that your kid will receive once she is large enough, and my old-timey pin that says “OUT FOR A GOOD TIME.”

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