I was raised by a thrifty mom. She was not only extremely talented, but also creative and wise with our money. Consequently, I quickly learned as a kid how to snag wonderful things for just pennies.
Even after college, that mindset remained, and it has served me well as an adult. I have even developed the art of “sport shopping”, and my friends find it quite amusing. 😊 I am always obsessively looking for a great deal!
When I am out and about town or traveling, I hunt for local spots that sell unique, reasonable items. So, if discounts excite you, you will enjoy seeking bargains in my favorite stores listed below. Here are my top 5 stores in the Tampa area to find deals galore.
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SIDENOTE
This blog post was not endorsed by any of the stores mentioned. These are my own personal recommendations.
Ollie's Discount Store
Ollie’s slogan says it all: “Get Good Stuff Cheap”. They are America’s largest discount retailer and are located in at least 32 states. They specialize in finding closeouts, company shutdowns, repackaged and unsellable items, refurbished goods, etc. You can find toys, home goods, clothing, sports gear, bath and body products, pet items, food items, books, automotive products – the list goes on and on.
Personally, I shop there regularly, and I prefer to head there first to see if I can find what I need before visiting any other store. Their rewards program is also fantastic, and I regularly get 10% off coupons, which usually means I get free items using the discount. Yay!
Their prices are so low that they frequently beat Walmart. And that’s saying something!
If you love a good deal and saving money, I highly recommend visiting Ollie’s.
Red White & Blue Thrift Store
I grew up going to thrift stores with my family. We would make a nice day of it, eating lunch together and then hunting for bargains. Now, not only do my children enjoy it, but they go with their friends too! But with all of my thrifting experience, this store is the best.
Interesting fun facts: The Red White & Blue Thrift stores are for-profit thrift stores located in 12 states around the nation. Originating in Florida, they were officially established in 1965, with the founder having additional post-World War 2 experience in the industry.
A flurry of workers dot the floor, reorganizing and restocking shelves. If you stay there for more than an hour, you may need to go back and look again because there will be 10 new items on the shelf that you just passed! Ha!
While you can find a treasure in almost any thrift store, I feel that the deals and unique items I find in the RWB stores top them all. And every day they offer an additional discount on many items, up to 75%. I have found clothing with the tags still on, vintage items, high-end name brands, and unique décor pieces that I adore. Their stores are massive, so go well-fed, wearing comfortable shoes, with cash in hand, and ready to find the perfect addition to your wardrobe or home.
HotBins - Tampa
After the creation of Amazon and the advent of online shopping, almost everyone became an armchair shopper. While the convenience is undeniable, the massive onslaught of returns soon overran their storage facilities. And thus, the bin stores were born.
I have gone into several bin stores looking for deals and bargains. Most of them are extremely chaotic and, dare I say, filthy? However, one has stood out to me and that is HotBins.
The first time I walked into a HotBins store, I was greeted by the staff who explained to us how to search for deals and how pricing worked. They also pointed to a station where a staff member would let you open the item and test it if it was electronic. I looked around – it was well-lit, clean, and organized.
After we found a few items, they even gave us an extra markdown on a higher-priced item when they looked it up. I have been to no other bin store that did any of those things, so they deserve a shout-out.
HotBins is located all over Florida.
Triage Consignment Boutique
Triage Consignment has been a staple for fashion deal hunters in South Tampa for decades. They specialize in high quality, designer garments. After the original owners retired, they passed the baton to a new owner, and she took over the women’s clothing part of the business, transforming it into a cozy boutique.
The new owner worked in the New York fashion industry and brought her own personal flair and expertise to the business. She is fun, personable, and extremely knowledgeable! Because of that, you can walk into her store and find very high-quality name-brand items at a discount, and some unique one-of-a-kind items too. If you purchase a special event dress there, you are guaranteed that no other woman will be wearing the same dress at an event. (And we know how important that is at prom, ladies!)
I have personally enjoyed shopping at Triage over the years with my mom, daughters, and friends. The staff are fun and especially helpful, and you will enjoy a true boutique experience.
The Room Exchange - Tampa
No matter where you live, finding the right place of furniture for your space is always a challenge. While you can order almost anything online, I instead enjoy hunting for more unique, re-loved pieces. While the prices may be a little higher than thrifting, I find it worth paying the price to find furniture with character that fits your space perfectly.
The Room Exchange is one of the best furniture consignment stores I’ve ever shopped in. They are located in the Carrollwood area of Tampa. You are not chased down by salespeople, and the store is clean, organized, and full of eye candy. Patience is required because hidden treasures are hiding in every corner. Prices are very reasonable.
Another added benefit is that they post their new inventory online on Facebook. So if you’re hunting for the perfect couch, it’s an invaluable service to be able to snag it immediately by calling and paying for it over the phone, without ever leaving your comfy chair. 😊
Summary
From new to used, unique pieces, or simple household staples, shopping at these 5 stores covers all the bases. If you live locally or are just visiting out of town, I hope you enjoy your next shopping adventure at one of these stores!
Thanks a ton – Your feedback is much appreciated and helps me improve. Have a lovely day!
