Best Thrift Stores Near ASU Tempe for Students

Thrifting Near ASU Is Better Than You Think

Tempe has a solid thrift scene if you know where to look. Between the turnover from ASU students moving in and out each year, the general Phoenix metro area thrift market, and a few genuinely good stores in the area, you can put together a wardrobe, furnish an apartment, or find random useful stuff without spending much.

Here's what's actually worth your time, ranked by usefulness to the average ASU student.

Goodwill — Multiple Locations

Goodwill is the workhorse. The closest location to campus is on Southern Avenue, about a mile and a half south — a reasonable bike ride or Uber. The Southern Avenue Goodwill gets consistent student turnover, especially at the end of each semester when people leave Tempe and donate whatever they can't pack.

Tip: the best time to shop Goodwill in college towns is about two weeks after the semester ends (December and May) and at the start of the semester when the back-to-school donation wave comes in. Mid-semester is fine but the selection is more picked over.

A second Goodwill on McClintock Drive is slightly farther but tends to have better furniture and larger household goods selection if you're furnishing an apartment.

Savers on East McDowell Road

Savers (also called Value Village in some regions) is Goodwill's slightly more upscale competitor — prices are a bit higher but the selection is often better organized and the store is cleaner. The McDowell Road location is about 15 minutes from campus by car or a reasonable Uber.

Savers has a good consistent selection of men's and women's clothing. They also stock housewares and furniture. If Goodwill feels too chaotic, Savers is the step up that doesn't cost much more.

Desert Industries on Southern

Desert Industries (run by the LDS Church) operates several thrift stores in the Phoenix metro. The pricing is competitive with Goodwill and the stores tend to be cleaner and better organized. Not as well-known among students, which sometimes means slightly less picked-over inventory. Worth checking alongside your Goodwill run since they're often in the same area.

Twice as Nice Resale

Smaller, independently operated resale shops in the Tempe area tend to specialize and price accordingly. Twice as Nice focuses more on clothing and accessories and curates their inventory more than big-box thrift chains. Prices are higher but still below retail, and the selection is more intentional.

Good for: specific clothing items, vintage finds.

Not as good for: furniture, kitchen supplies, random household items.

Facebook Marketplace and ASU List

This isn't a physical store but it's where the real deals are. When ASU students leave at the end of the semester, they post everything — furniture, bikes, kitchen gear, electronics, clothing — at prices that make thrift stores look expensive. The phrase "buyer pick up preferred" on a Tempe listing in May means someone desperately doesn't want to move that bookcase and you can get it for $10.

ASU List specifically is designed for this: it's free, it's students selling to students, and the listings refresh constantly. Before you buy anything new, check there first. Before you go to Goodwill for furniture, check ASU List — you'll often find something newer and cheaper from a student who's moving out.

Plato's Closet — Chandler and Mesa Locations

Plato's Closet buys and resells trendy clothing from younger sellers. Prices are higher than Goodwill but lower than retail, and the inventory skews more current. The closest locations are in Chandler and Mesa — about 20 minutes by car — so it's more of an intentional trip than a casual stop.

If you're specifically looking for brand-name clothing in decent condition, Plato's is worth the trip. For general thrifting, you can do better price-wise at Goodwill.

Tips for Thrifting as an ASU Student

• Go on weekdays if you can. Weekend thrift crowds are real and the best items go quickly.
• Check donation schedules. Some Goodwill locations have specific days they process and put out new inventory.
• For furniture: always measure before you buy. That couch might be perfect until it doesn't fit through your apartment door.
• Check the condition carefully on anything with mechanical parts (appliances, electronics). Thrift stores don't guarantee functionality.
• The end of school year (May, December) is peak season for good finds in Tempe specifically.

The Financial Reality

A fully thrifted apartment setup — couch, desk, dishes, basic clothing — is achievable for under $300 in Tempe if you're patient and strategic about it. That's not an exaggeration. Students spend thousands on new furniture and clothing every year when they could get 90% of the same functionality and quality for a fraction of the price.