As stereotype-fulfilling broke college students, buying outfits and decor new is hardly going to be our first option. That is where secondhand shops come in.

I visited five thrift stores last week in Pullman and Moscow to determine which reigned above all others, but it turns out they all have their own strengths. Some are good for items, others for clothes and even one for finding that hidden gem.

Best Overall – The Storm Cellar 

504 S Main St Moscow, Idaho.

If I had to choose one thrift store to go to out of all of these, it would be The Storm Cellar. I went to their Moscow location, they have another in Lewiston, and immediately fell in love. The decor and overall vibe it had was incredibly chic. 

Shoes lined the walls, warm winter coats stood in front and a decently-sized selection of both women’s and men’s clothing of all sizes showed there were goods for everyone. There was even a discount bin, where you can have the oh-so-traditional “digging through piles of clothes” experience I see less and less nowadays. 

Prices were also reasonable — definitely not the cheapest on this list, but the clothes were almost certainly the cutest. My favorite thing about The Storm Cellar is that they source their clothing. If it is from Zara, for example, they will list it on the tag. This is amazing to compare prices or find the same garment you adore in a different size, though be warned it will be much pricier. 

If none of this convinces you, they played at least three Dolly Parton songs when I visited. Green flag. 

Best Budget – Palouse Treasures

1005 NW Nye St Pullman, Wash.

While it does hold some clothing, and I have found cute things here in the past, Palouse Treasures shines most with its household items selection. Kitchen appliances, picture frames, furniture, toys, CDs and vinyls, it has almost anything someone would need for their home. I even found some fabric and a nice tablecloth for sewing. 

This is undoubtedly the most budget-friendly option on this list. I frequent Palouse Treasures because of its convenient location and absurdly cheap prices. On my last visit, I got a polyester satin blouse, two nice tablecloths and an ironing board for $12. I could not do that at any other location listed here. 

If you need something for your home on a budget, this is your best option. 

Best Finds – DREGS Vintage

255 NE Olsen St Pullman, Wash.

If thrifting to you is more finding that prized vintage garment, DREGS is the perfect place. While it is definitely the most expensive option, their clothes look and feel authentically vintage, and some of their discount options are quite cute. 

This comes with one caveat: sizing. There are some larger sizes, but every garment I would think was cute was a small or sometimes medium. It is hard to blame the establishment for this due to its identity as a vintage store, but I ended up leaving without buying anything. 

If you are looking for large vintage graphic tees, absolutely come here, but for those vintage dresses, temper your expectations. 

Best Household – The Hope Center

1212 Pullman Rd Moscow, Idaho.

This is Moscow’s Palouse Treasures, if a smidgen more expensive. The Hope Center’s household selection might honestly outdo theirs, though, especially for their furniture and variety of each household item. They even have a garage section and a much larger (but still small) fabric selection. 

Their clothing and shoes are also fairly robust, though you need to dig a little more to find something cute. 

If Palouse Treasures does not have what you need or you live closer to Moscow, take a trip to The Hope Center and you will most likely find what you need. 

Best Variety – Goodwill

201 Warbonnet Dr Moscow, Idaho.

I have my own issues with Goodwill, and when I was visiting Moscow’s location, I was prepared for the overpriced nonsense I am used to on the west side of Washington. I was pleasantly surprised by how cheap their clothing was, most were $5 or less. 

They definitely have the largest selection of any thrift store on this list, as expected. I would not call them consistently cute or ugly, but if you need a basic t-shirt or pants, this is a good place to get that.

Compared to other thrift stores, they have vastly more plus-sized garments as well as more big electronics like air fryers. This is the first brand that comes to mind when people think of a “thrift store,” and though it has little personality to be seen, it remains as a solid enough option for your needs.