Yes you do find cool stuff, as in any other thrift store... I use to come here all the time, the prices were nice and they even let you return electronics that didn't work. Now the prices have taken a HUGE hike! I felt I walked into a consignment shop instead of a thrift store. I'll upload a picture of an old Talbots women's coat selling for a $100 LOL I'm sorry even if it was 50% off that coat is still not worth $50. They even had a pair of Salvatore Ferragamo shoes for $220 smh The employees are very friendly, the manager on the other hand was a total douche bag when I asked her a few questions.. read more

2nd Ave - $100 for a beat up, used Talbots coat!? lol ummmm no Even if its 50% sunday thats still not a find - Thrift Stores Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

It's very organized inside, and has a wide range of merchandise. The employees are always pleasant. The parking lot is very big, so you don't usually have to fight for a spot. They also have shopping carts to make your shopping experience easier. They have several discount days. I always go here first to find the things I don't want to pay full price for. I recommend coming here to find your next thrifted find! read more

Huge selection but unfortunately everything is typically overpriced. Also, comb over things very carefully. It seems like anything that comes in they stick a price tag on it and stick it on a shelf . I am all for saving the environment but some items are trash and should be put in the trashcan. i've been here three times and I don't plan on going back. Two out of the three times I found maybe one item I wanted to buy and felt like the price was fair but the lines were so excessive I just left. read more

Honestly the best thrift store I've ever been to. I'm honestly surprised it only has 3 stars. Wide selection in every department. I've never left the store without buying anything. My husband HATES shopping but every week he asks to take a trip because he always finds something he likes! read more

I am big thrift store shopper and really like this chain of stores. I love searching for the treasure especially on sale days (Sunday and Monday). A few cons the bathroom is very gross, broken and hot. The employees could care less if you were there and the clothes aren't organized well. A plus size section would be great! Pricing is kinda all over the place wish they were a little more consistent! read more

2Nd Ave was great back in the day, but with popularity comes decline in good business tactics. They have a color code system where everything is either green, orange, yellow, pink, blue or purple. Five years ago (see my review for authenticity) they'd give you half off everything in the store on Sundays/Mondays, minus orange tag items. Then it switched to half off 3 colors on Sunday/Monday and 33% off other color items on Sundays/Monday's, and 33% off 3 colors on Thursday. Now, it's 2 colors are half off on Sundays and Mondays only. So the good deals you used to get are no longer. They jacked their prices up too, to make the most profit. Half of the clothing items are stained or ripped and should be trashed, not sold. Employees continue to be unfriendly. Would love to see a competitor open up. read more

I have to say when this store first opened it was one of my favorite thrift stores in the State of Maryland. Since they have gone under new management they have changed 100%. I was in this store recently and I was shocked at the prices of their coats. A faded leather jacket was 59.99 which is insane. I also have noticed because I tested it to be sure but they change the tags for the next day. So if you go there and lets say you see an item that is a blue tag (not on sale) so you wait for the blue tag day and go back that same item that was once a blue tag is now a totally different color tag. I also have witnessed workers taking shoes that were on sale and taking them to the back of the store. Very sneaky. I will not be shopping here anymore, my business will be going to Red, White, Blue in Laurel and Laurel Thrift Center. read more

Been in here many time over the last year or so, often almost weekly, compared to other local thrift stores and even other 2nd Ave locations, far better selection, much cleaner store, and the prices tend to seem better as-well. Will be continuing to shop here very often and highly recommend. Though I do wish the policy on No or Damaged tags not being sold would be revisited, missed out on many good looking items due to a missing tag or label. read more

Good store, lots of stuff and organized. Laurel location have more stuff and bigger. read more

See all

I still like going here to find great deals on Sundays, Mondays, and Thursdays. I just HATE having to search through every single size to find 'my size'. It's so extremely unorganized now, it's ridiculous! The employees are not sorting the clothing properly and now it's a headache to find anything. Ugh read more

I stopped in to browse and found a lovely, well-made pair of shoes here. People inside were following distancing & masking rules and it didn't feel crowded. Good selection, lots of stuff, and the cashier who checked me out was very helpful. read more

i love this thrift store i always come here once and a while and it never disappoints! they always have good deals and is cleaner then most thrift stores i definitely recommend going here. read more

My wife was freaking out about needing a new outfit for an event, and could not get it together to either find something in her closet or just go get one. I explained the situation to one of her girlfriends, who said, "I'm your gal." She had me drive them to 2nd Avenue in Columbia. I was a bit taken aback when we walked in, as there is no disguising the place as anything but a thrift store, but I was also impressed at the layout and how good the items looked. People laud thrift stores for the "great things you can find there," but there seemed to be some good curating going on and the items offered looked very nice. They had the really nice dresses on racks in the front when you walk in, and my wife found two that served perfectly in as many minutes. More shopping quickly found some other items for outfits she was looking for (and hadn't told me about.) Aside from the good clothing selection, there are other housewares and items you typically find in any thrift store, although I was rather impressed by the book selection. Both that they had a large one and how well it was organized. If thrift stores are your thing, this is a good one to try out. read more

I'm not a huge thrift person, but I really like this place because it's cleaner and more organized than others. (For the exception of Sundays & Mondays - where many 50% Sales are happening!!!) I only go when I need a little something unique for an event or something. I had a trip to India, where I needed practically a new wardrobe appropriate for that country, and found a bunch of great stuff there! Not everything is dirt cheap, but sometimes you get lucky with clothes. I think generally most of the clothes here are a bit "tacky" to me... I buy more of the household items, books/DVDs, candles/wedding decor... Overall, a great thrift shop!!! Sundays & Mondays are clearance days off select "colored" items! read more

I buy about 90% of my clothing second hand, from both consignment and thrift stores, so I have been to a great many such establishments. I discovered 2nd Ave just the other day and drove over to check it out. Compared to many thrift stores I've seen, this place is bigger, cleaner, and better organized. Note: I only shopped for clothing so I can't comment on housewares/toys/etc. Many reviewers have complained about the prices here. My expectation is to pay 25% or less of what an item costs new. By that guideline, I think the prices were fine given the good condition they seemed to be in. I found a perfect condition down vest for $10 that probably costs $40 or more retail. That's fine to me. I also found Banana Republic jeans in perfect condition for $10 that could've easily been $80 retail. And this was on a Friday, so they were not on sale. I took off one star because I looked on the website and they have zero information about where they get their inventory. To me it is a strange lack of transparency and I really prefer to know where the clothes come from. Most thrift stores also take donations but this one does not seem to. I am left to wonder why. read more

This used to be my husband's and I favorite spot but not anymore. The quality of the merchandise and service has gone down terribly within the last year. A lot of their items are over priced, there are so great deals but very few and far between which is a shame for a THRIFT store. Be sure to double check your total on discount days, we got a new hire who didn't know the prices of the videos or books and overcharged us!!! Also, double check price tag!!! read more

Great store!! Great stuff..! Went with my co-workers during our lunchtime. ( Kim, Mei, Liz).. We were at at ross shopping over there and I told them about it. One of my worker needed a household items, and told them it's cheaper over there. One I got me a shot glass over there. The staff are nice and friendly. The store is nice and clean. Not much selections. read more

2nd Ave - Sale! Sale! Sale!! - Thrift Stores Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

Overall 2nd ave is one of my favorite area thrift shops. They have a wide selection that's refreshed regularly and great sales. I'm rating 3 stars because for the past 2 months or so they've been tagging a lot of clothing in a way that damages the garment, even when there is a visible inner tag to use the tagging gun on (picture posted as example). Several times I've purchased items that have ended up having permanent damage from the tagging gun. I reached out to the store to let them know but so far haven't seen any improvement. It would definitely earn more business from me and a more positive review if this was resolved. read more

2nd Ave - Thrift Stores Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

See all

I don't like this place. I never find anything good. It smells funky and it's overpriced. I always end up buying stuff @ Ross next door but not this place. Also isn't like part of the whole fun of thrifting donating to a good cause? This is a for-profit thrift store. They buy massive bins at a discount from donated items to Goodwill and Salvation Army. I think the key is to go when they have sales e.g all green tags are 1/2 off etc.... Then I think u can snag a bargain. read more

I made a recent visit and would go back again! I love the selection of clothing, shoes,etc this location has. You can definitely find some gems at 2nd Avenue. Everything is also very organized, and it's somewhat of a big store depending on how you look at it. Most of the prices are bargains, some are a little over priced, but overall they have great prices! read more

Yay, I found a pair of J brand jeans (mint condition) and Gap Long and Lean jeans (unworn) for $7 each. J brand retails for $150. I also got a pair of 9 West Vintage America clogs. Quick, call the paramedics, I'm feeling giddy... read more

This place is alright. I definitely wouldn't buy from them on days it isn't half off. I've gotten a few cute blazers from them, but overall I don't think the selection is out of this world. The book selection is pretty great though. read more

So this an ok spot for thrifting. My first visit here and I wasn't too impressed. It seems just like Savers. On Sun, Mon, & Thurs certain tags are 50% off & some are 33% off. I was seeking pieces to fill my summer wardrobe. I purchases 2 dresses, a top, a skirt, and a serving tray and spent $30. All of my items were 33% off. I do think the original prices are a bit high for a thrift store. Most items are listed at $10.90 or $12.90. There are rows of aisles from housewares to children clothes. I think if you are seeking children clothes and toys you can definitely get a bargain here. Ross is next door and I did think about going there after as I wasn't really satisfied w/ my shopping trip. read more

2nd Ave - Thrift Stores Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

Love this place!!! Was looking for a Blazer ; didn't find one but left with great purchases for a good bargain. The staff I encountered were really nice and helpful. read more

Second time here but omg the selection. It's a huge store. Compared to goodwill I'd say besides the hugeness of the store itself... there are more worn out things but with that being said you can of course find amazing things. The prices are cheap imo in general but unlike goodwill, pieces are not all priced the same (a pair of jeans isn't the same as another). I think it's more fun because you don't get as bored fast and I can easy spend a few days combing through things and it's fun as hell! If I'm aT goodwill, I'll find like one leather jacket maybe, but you'll see like 10 here. I wonder where all the clothes comes from... they also don't really have the "tg" like goodwill where they will have "designer" items and it'll cost more/never go on discount/special. Holy crap are there a lot of shoes here haha. My parents also love this place, this is where they spend weekends for fun now :') definitely worth a visit, fun to go with friends (or parents if they're cool like mine ) read more

2nd Ave - Thrift Stores Near Me - Columbia, Maryland

My mom and I love going here. Although it's a thrift store, they have a lot of new items as well. I especially like to check out the kids clothing and toys. There's usually a long line at checkout but they always have a lot of cashiers so the line moves very quickly. Service is pretty good too. read more

I like going here and can find good stuff mostly. The employees are VERY rude. I went here on a Thursday and I went to the dressing room. I had a total of 8 items I wanted to try on. The rude girl says only 5 at a time " No problem". I started putting them on the rack she standing there mAking sure I pull five, again no problem. Glad she takes her job seriously. Then out of the blue she yelled "I said 5 only". I stop and looked and said I heard you the first time no need to tell it. I'm looking to see what I want to try on first. The whole time she was on her cell phone talking about her plans for the weekend coming. Rude employees at this location. read more

Meh, aggressively average. If you dig A LOT, you can find some really good stuff, but overall, this location isn't that great. There were a lot of clothes, but little stood out to me and the sizes only seemed halfway organized (while things are "sorted" by size, there are a bunch of random sizes mixed in; it was weird). I far prefer the location in Laurel. I wouldn't go out of your way to go to this location. That being said, if you're in Columbia, the Columbia 2nd Avenue is waaaaaaaaay better than the Columbia Goodwill (which is super disappointing). read more

2nd Value in Columbia has a large selection of clothing, media, and housewares. If you are looking for current, name brand clothing, this is a gold mine. There are lots of designer dresses, even new with tags, probably due to the proximity to Columbia Mall. Be prepared to pay for it, as the pricing is high, even for this area (dresses start around 7.99, average price seemed to be 9.99-12.99, including Target and Old Navy brands), even with discount days. I can get a BRAND NEW dress at Ross next door for the same price. Goodwill is a hop, skip, and a jump away, with a better selection of furniture, and much easier on your wallet. read more

UPDATE: No improvements whatsoever have been made. Consistently disappointing experiences. I am a veteran thrifter, -- I've hunted all over the country, and spent plenty of time in these stores, as well as competing Maryland establishments. Laurel and Dobbin locations overprice merchandise to the point of vulgarity. 70 dollars for a polyester suit? Offensive. 60 for one in need of serious reweaving? Revolting. And the money definitely isn't going to the staff; they certainly aren't happy to be working there. It's not like higher prices are a problem throughout all MD thrift stores; establishments less than a mile away (Amvets in laurel, Goodwill in Dobbin) price at less than 1/3rd of what these guys charge. Add to the equation that these are FOR-PROFIT establishments, while the others are not, and you get a business model that, as far as I'm concerned, is openly exploitative of poor people with limited options. TL;DR: Until good-faith efforts are made at improvements, stay away. Go to Goodwill or Amvets. read more

I went to this store and was pleasantly surprised. This is a large,Clean,neat and well organized store...plus a dressing room! Not much furniture,but I am not into that. What I wanted was Shoes..tons and tons of shoes..all sized and gender organized. I generally do not do clothing ...but here I do.... again...sized and organized according to what the item is....it is very easy to shop here. Cheap too.Staff left me alone so that I could shop in peace....The dressing rooms could have more rooms.....(but what do you expect ... it isn't supposed to be Macy's) Overall it is one of the better thrift stores... I come from Gaithersburg to shop here. read more

After being referred here by a friend, I finally decided to check it out. My wife is always on the hunt for more office appropriate clothing and I am still searching for a new handbag. The first thing I noticed was how absolutely enormous this place is...and so organized. While I didn't find a new bag, Nina did find five tops for under $20! On Sundays and Mondays, they have even better discounts on top of their already low prices. If you're looking specifically for high end accessories, they keep most of it up front behind a counter. They had a Marc Jacobs purse for $34. As with most thrift stores -- it's always a treasure hunt. Although I wasn't able to find what I needed, there's always next time. read more

It was very large, clean, bright and very organized. The store is great I bought a bread maker for $9. The only problem is the staff. Two members kept physically bumping into me even though there was only me and them in the isle and there was plenty of space to pass and not one "excuse me" or apology was uttered. The first time i chalk it up to accident. Three times it's on purpose. I'd move to another isle and they'd do it again one at a time. Then when I went to the center register I asked the two women there were they open and they both stared at me in silence as if I wasn't speaking English. Finally another staff member walked up and said she'd ring me up. I'd come back but only because of the diverse inventory. read more

Great Thrift Store addition for the HoCo area. This is by far the best thrift store in the area. There are tons of rows of clothes and household items. The only thing it was lacking was a furniture assortment. There wasn't much in they way of a selection. On the plus side, there's a dressing room to try on clothes! read more

A key component to an excellent thrift yielding is patience to pick through everything! I'm a true shopper who can find gems in the shantiest establishment, however, sometimes you just want to be in and out, decent merchandise in hand. With that said, 2nd Ave is not an in-ner/out-er, unless you're a size nothing and don't mind spending forever 21 bucks in a second hand spot. I'm just reiterating the central theme of many of other reviews: overpriced and not a wow factor. Chances are if you are a true thrifter you've been in better stores and found better items. I'm rating 2nd Ave at three stars considering the area it's in and the demographic it serves, it's not all that bad. I did manage to find what I was looking for albeit I spent a total of 2 hours to locate, nevertheless I was a happy customer. I would never ever come here on a full price day (Tuesday through Saturday) because nearly everything is 50% off Sunday and Monday. The household goods/accessories was on point as well, definitely not to be slept on and there are shoes and shoes and shoes everywhere. I feel like this place has good bones and hopefully improvement in price points/organization of clothing will occur over time. read more

This is one of the best thrift stores that I have been to in years. Very organized and coordinated. The prices were great. The selection was pretty good. Staff was courteous and very friendly. I will definitely be returning to this location on one of the discount days. read more

Love this place! You can find great finds here at great prices. If you like to "treasure hunt, this is the place for you. I just wish they had a furniture section though. That would be the icing on the cake!! read more

Love this location. It's bright, airy, open and clean. The team here is swift to refill the selections and keep the shelves organized. The checkout process is typically quick as well and if you think about it, bring along your extra newspapers to help wrap items. read more

Excellent store for any kind of dress at a bargain. They have a huge collection. Loved this place!

Love this store! It is clean, organized and huge! Lots of clothing, not so much for furniture if that is what you are looking for.