Calling all thrifting enthusiasts! The Sunshine Coast is home to tons of preloved goods, from vintage kitchenware to well-worn books. With over 25 shops spread across the Coast from Gibsons to Texada Island, you'll find plenty of vintage treasures to sift through.

The best part about thrifting? It's all about the hunt. Here on the Sunshine Coast, that takes you down alleys and side lanes, into new-to-you neighbourhoods, and amongst fellow shoppers at markets and seasonal fairs. Besides picking up a one-of-a-kind travel souvenir, you'll get to explore the Sunshine Coast beyond the proverbial main drag. You can easily spend a day, or weekend, hopping from thrift store to used bookshop to record store.

Use this guide to help you plan your next secondhand shopping spree on the Sunshine Coast. Keep in mind that hours vary, so it's worth checking places ahead of time.

Items on display in a thrift store
Items on display in a thrift store. Photo: Sunshine Coast Tourism/Crystal Solberg

Powell River

When it comes to thrifting, Powell River delivers. It's home to more thrift stores than anywhere else on the Coast, and as a bonus, many of them are conveniently clustered together along Marine Avenue.

Start with Willow Rose Boutique on Willingdon Ave, a consignment shop that circulates preloved women and children's clothing with plenty of wear left. Tucked along Marine Ave, Kool Thing Vintage is Powell River's go-to destination for carefully curated vintage. This beloved shop is packed with finds, from 90s band tees and retro sportswear to midcentury finds and statement pieces. Up the road, Little Hive is a curated home goods boutique that leans into vintage and antique finds. Think delicate wooden toys, ceramic vases, mugs of all shapes and sizes, and the kind of one-of-a-kind objects that are hard to find anywhere else.

Towards the end of Marine Avenue, you'll find Powell River Pawnbrokers, while adjacent Alberni Street is home to the Hospital Economy Shop where you can rifle through racks of clothing, household goods, accessories, shoes, books, and more. South of town, Powell River MCC Thrift Shop covers all the staples, from housewares and clothing to furniture and more.

Over in Townsite Public Market, you'll find The Kooky Cavern, which also plays homage to the 90s through collectible Pokemon, video games, and more. Gear Attic is another must-stop spot. This is the place to pick up secondhand outdoor gear—ideal for a town that takes its outdoor recreation seriously. Seasonally-stocked, you can breathe new life into a ski jacket come winter or a pair of trail running shoes in summer. They also host community-oriented events throughout the year, including a popular repair series where you can learn to fix your own well-loved items, helping to extend the lifespan of your gear even further.

Visiting Texada Island? Head to the thrift store located in Gillies Bay for an array of unique items.

Sports gear on display
Sports gear on display inside Gear Attic. Photo: Gear Attic

Sechelt

Cowrie Street is the main shopping area of Sechelt and here you'll find thrift stores, consignment shops, and a fabulous vintage home good store all within mere steps of one another. 

Twisted Consignment has a well-stocked selection of women's new and consigned clothing. Next to Twisted is the Salvation Army Thrift Store, which in addition to stocking plenty of clothes, offers footwear, books and magazines, kitchenware, furniture, household items, collectables, electronics, and more. New items are added daily which means there's an ever-rotating selection to look through, and since all proceeds stay local and help community service programs, you can feel extra good about your purchase. Across the street, swing by the Sunshine Coast Healthcare Auxiliary Thrift Store for similar items, including a large selection of books and collectibles. (This shop is a local favourite and can get busy, so get there early if you can.) Looking for a new outfit? Swing by Pretty Natty Duds on Cowrie Street for preloved clothes, footwear, and accessories.

Next door, Redecor + Design is a fantastic secondhand shop specializing in home decor, vintage furniture, and one-of-a-kind-art, all curated by the store's owner who also happens to be an interior designer. The shop's beachy vibes are warm and inviting and with items being constantly rotated through the store, you'll find a different and interesting selection each time you visit. 

Tucked off of Cowrie Street is Cowrie Lane, home to The Castaway Vintage, with great MCM pieces, cocktail wear, and high-quality and well-curated clothes—all sourced by the store's founder who has been collecting and curating vintage items for more than 15 years.

Looking for a unique piece of furniture or building materials? The Habitat ReStore, located on Wharf Avenue, is your best chance at finding that coveted mid-century piece or retro vintage couch on the Sunshine Coast.

Castaway Vintage
Photo: Castaway Vintage

Pender Harbour & Egmont

The beloved Bargain Barn Thrift Store in Madeira Park is a community institution and a must-stop when you're exploring Pender Harbour. It's loaded with furniture, clothing, antiques, housewares, games, toys, and more. The store is run entirely by local volunteers, and if you're lucky, a bit of browsing will turn into a conversation full of local tips you won't find anywhere else.

Further north in Egmont is a volunteer-led store called the Egmont Thrift Store that's located in the historic community hall. Everything is available by donation, with proceeds going back into the community. It's well-worth a visit, especially when paired with a trip to Skookumchuck Narrows and the Skookumchuck Bakery, too.

Egmont Thrift Shop
The Egmont Thrift Shop. Photo: Sunshine Coast Tourism/Crystal Solberg

Gibsons

Gibsons punches well above its weight for thrift and consignment stores. The Sunshine Coast Community Services Thrift Store, located along North Road, is housed in a can't-miss red barn-like building. This all-purpose spot is stuffed with clothes, craft supplies, housewares, used records, and books—a great first stop to warm up your thrifting eye. Up the street on Gibsons Way, you'll find the Salvation Army Thrift Store and a few blocks further, Beyond Consignment, a well-curated shop focused on women's fashion, outdoor clothing, and sport and gear. Next to Beyond is Coast Kids Reshop, a popular consignment store for local and visiting families. It's well-stocked with clothing of all ages and sizes, plus there's an in-store play area where little ones can keep busy while you shop.

Situated on Venture Way, the Prancing Pony is a bustling thrift store with all sorts of treasures and bargains—and on occasion, they also stock locally made jams, honey, and fresh produce too. For vintage kitchenware and home goods, head to The Cheese Shop (next to The Prancing Pony), which stocks a few well-curated home goods and kitchen pieces, from smoked mid-century cocktail glasses to kitschy mugs and more. Its sister shop, Good Fridays General Store, located in Gibsons Landing, carries a similar mix.

The Kube, part-art gallery and part well-curated retail space, is home to Neighbourhood Vintage, a permanent pop-up that sources vintage, reloved, and reworked apparel and accessories, with a focus on wearable art, sustainably sourced items, and classic staples. 

Tucked down Molly's Lane (the laneway adjacent to the iconic Molly's Reach), is Starlet Vintage. The shop stocks fabulous one-off retro pieces from nearly every era starting around the 1930s and up, and browsing it feels like a proper treasure hunt.

Molly's Lane
Molly's Lane is home to Starlet Vintage and Reasons to Live Books. Photo: Sunshine Coast Tourism/Sunday Mustard Studios

Book Shops, Record Stores & More

If your kind of thrifting involves digging into record bins or browsing shelves for your next favourite read, the Sunshine Coast has got you covered. There are enough secondhand bookstores and record shops to plan a dedicated day around them, if you're so inclined. Plus, most are tucked into the same neighbourhoods as the thrift shops above, so it's easy to do both.

Next to Starlet Vintage in Gibsons Landing is Reasons to Live Books, a cherished local spot carrying used, rare, and interesting titles alongside new books and a well-curated selection of vinyl records. They also sell their own merch—tote bags and shirts—if you want a local souvenir with some personality.

MELOmania in Roberts Creek is a one-stop-shop for music lovers. They stock used and consigned instruments, records, and supplies—everything you need to feed your passion for music, whether you're a seasoned musician or just love the thrill of the hunt for that coveted record.

In Powell River, book lovers can swing by Hidden Treasures Bookstore on Marine Avenue, while on nearby Ash Street, music fans will find Full Bug Records, a beloved local record shop that carries rare copies of classic records (when they're available), in addition to new vinyl. Tucked away in the Cranberry neighbourhood, is Wolffy's Book Den, a book store and community gathering space that stocks used, new, and locally-written works, along with children's books. 


Markets, Pop-Ups & Seasonal Fairs

Beyond bricks-and-mortar shops, some of the Coast's best vintage and handmade finds turn up at markets, pop-up events, and seasonal fairs. Farmers' markets across the Coast regularly feature vendors selling vintage clothing, antiques, upcycled goods, and locally made crafts (alongside fresh produce). Several breweries and cideries also host seasonal markets where local makers and vintage sellers set up alongside food trucks and live music, making for a fun afternoon out.
Keep an eye on our event calendar closer to your visit.

A neon sign at Full Bug Records
A neon sign in the window of Full Bug Records. Photo: Sunshine Coast Tourism/Emma Wassmer