For a town of it’s size, Grand Junction, Colorado is home to a decent number of thrift stores. In fact, there are five major thrift stores in town. Both in Fruita and Clifton have a thrift store as well, and there in an additional small one in Palisade.
We’re just focusing on the larger, non-profit thrift stores here, and not on private thrift shops or consignment shops in the valley.
These five thrift store are a valuable resource for those looking for affordable shopping, with everything from furniture to coffee mugs to electronics and more. This being Colorado, you’re likely to find ski goggles, boots, poles and skis. My wife and I are frequent shoppers (and donors), especially when it comes to tools, dishes, books, or other items for which we don’t want to pay retail prices. And because we’ve brainwashed our teenage daughter from a young age to save a buck, she has no qualms about buying gently-used clothing from area thrift stores.
(The black stars represent each of the five Grand Junction thrift stores)
Grand Junction Thrift Stores
These stores offer a wide variety of gently used items, from clothing and accessories to furniture and household goods. While they aren’t as cheap as typical yard-sale prices, they still are priced at a fraction of the cost of buying new. And to the more environmentally-focused, these stores play a vital role in reducing landfill waste, while pouring countless monies into supporting community service programs.
Here’s a list of the six thrift stores in the Grand Junction area along with a little more info on each. (Fruita and Palisade are further down):
- Goodwill
- Arc Thrift Store
- Salvation Army Thrift Store
- Habitat for Humanity ReStore
- Heirlooms for Hospice
Arc Thrift Store
Located on the busy North Avenue commercial district, the Arc Thrift Store Grand Junction appears to be even bigger than Goodwill. Racks after racks of clothes here.
Hours: Monday – Friday: 9 AM to 9 PM. Saturday: 8 AM to 9 PM and Sundays from 10 AM to 6 PM.
2830 North Avenue
Grand Junction, CO. 81501
(970) 360-6616
Website: Arcthrift.com/gj
Goodwill Grand Junction
The Grand Junction Goodwill Store is a clean, well-maintained store in the retail area in western Grand Junction, just north of Mesa Mall. This location makes it pretty popular, along with its busy drive through donation drop-off area.
Hours: Monday – Saturday: 9 AM to 9 PM and Sunday: 9 AM to 7 PM.
630 24 1/2 Rd.
Grand Junction, CO 81505
970-243-1745
Website: Goodwillcolorado.org
Salvation Army
A smaller, but friendly store in the heart of the city, on 4th Street near Sherwood Park, the Salvation Army Thrift Store Grand Junction is open from 10 AM to 5:30 PM, every day except Sundays.
1155 N 4th St
Grand Junction, CO 81501
970-424-5082
Website: Grandjunction.salvationarmy.org
Habitat for Humanity Re Store
Located on the east end of North Avenue, this big outlet is great for DIY’ers, with lots of tools, lights, cabinets, and sinks, along with normal thrift store inventory such as books and glassware.
2936 North Avenue
Grand Junction, CO. 81051
(970) 255-9850
Website: Habitat.org/GJ
Heirlooms for Hospice
My picture below doesn’t do it justice, but this is a charming Main Street boutique that’s always beautifully decorated inside (especially at Christmas). It offers more upscale clothing, jewelry, antiques and home décor goods
Proceeds from sales here benefit HopeWest – an outstanding compassionate organization which provides everything from hospice care to grief support in the Grand Valley. I’ve personally been a recipient of their services and cannot say enough nice things about them. Did I mention the inside of the store is pretty?
635 Main Street
Grand Junction, CO 81501
(970) 254-8556
Website: Heirloomsforhospice.org
Community Thrift Store (Clifton)
This new kid on the block opened February 1st, 2025 inside the Peachtree Shopping center off of 32 Road in Clifton.
Being new, and I believe run strictly on a volunteer basis, it’s not as polished as say, Goodwill, but there was a surprising amount of inventory on hand during a recent visit.
A large book section is in the back, while tons of shoes line shelves on the left. I found a huge selection of ski boots (more than Goodwill), and even an inventory of around 15 beach cruiser bikes in good shape.
In keeping with the community theme, there’s even a table up front for people to pick up (or drop off) free food items. The lady working the counter was very friendly and helpful.
The Clifton thrift store takes the spot of the old Clifton Salvation Army store, and is next to Mesa Fitness. Hours are 9 AM to 5 PM, seven days a week.
3227 I-70 Business Loop
Clifton, CO, 81520
(970) 319-4018
Palisade Thrift Stores
There’s just one small one here, the Migrant Ministry Community Thrift Shop which was part of La Plaza and the Child & Migrant Services program.
(The La Plaza Palisade thrift shop is the little building with the green trim on the far left side).
La Plaza is a non-profit whose mission is to help the migrant community and they have meetings, tamale sales and the like. The back part of the building hosts the little thrift store, which is run by volunteers.
My wife is a thrifter and goes to this store from time to time, so she can vouch for their store. While La Plaza is open until 6 PM most days, the thrift store itself is open from 1 PM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday.
Address, Phone & Website
721 Peach Avenue
Palisade, CO. 81526
(970) 902-2491
Website: https://www.laplazapalisade.org/
Fruita Thrift Store
Fruita is home to just one thrift store, appropriately named the Fruita Thrift Shop.
It’s located off the circle in downtown Fruita at Circle Park, and as a result, gets absolutely packed during events, such as Mike the Headless Chicken Days, or the Fruita Fall Festival.
This store is only open four days a week, Wednesday – Saturday from 9:30 – 4:30 PM.
142 S. Park Square
Fruita, CO.
(970) 858-7052
Best Thrift Stores in Grand Junction
It depends on what you’re looking for of course, but when it comes it purpose of their mission, I think the Salvation Army is the best thrift store in Grand Junction, based on the fact they’re a Christian organization that helps addicts. Given their mission of compassion, Heirlooms for Hospice is a very close second.
In terms of size, inventory, and convenience of donating goods, Goodwill is the best thrift store in Grand Junction. Although not as large as Arc, it offers a more retail like shopping environment. The fact it’s near Mesa Mall helps too. Arc’s store is massive, but a little more sterile inside. Nonetheless, it has tons of inventory and profits go to benefit those with developmental disabilities, so you cannot go wrong either way.
For appliances, tools, and any type of home remodeling project, the Habitat for Humanity ReStore is number one, while Harmony Thrift shop is more cozy, and where you’ll find a lot of pet-related items.
If you’re looking for upscale items, from women’s clothing to home decor, Heirlooms for Hospice is a runaway winner, although prices won’t be the cheapest.
Other
While Grand Rivers Humane Society still does great work in the valley, the charity thrift store they used to operate on Orchard Mesa (called “Grand Rivers Humane Save a Pet Thrift Store”), has closed. It was located on the way to the Orchard Mesa Dairy Queen (my reference points typically involve fast-food joints) at 2651 US-50.
Harmony Thrift Shop
Editor’s note: this little thrift store closed in late 2023. Below is the original wording on it.
A small, cozy, store, but packed with clothes, books and more, all to benefit the Harmony Animal Matchmaker and Sanctuary, a no-kill dog rescue facility. You’ll find the thrift store in a little strip mall on 1st and Orchard, just north of West Middle School.
There are a variety of promotions here. On Friday, Saturday and Sundays, items are half-off. On Monday, if you purchase a pair of pants, the second one is just a penny. Wednesdays features their 25 cent sidewalk sale, while Thursday is the “Roll the Dice” promotion, with savings from 10% to 60%, depending on your roll.
In addition to your standard thrift shop items, a separate section offers a variety of pet leashes and books on dogs and cats. They even had some cat food for sale, and I picked up a little Coleus plant during a recent visit. Given their mission to save dogs, the employees I encountered where beyond friendly.
1938 N 1st St Unit 1
Grand Junction, CO. 81051
(By Steve Beauregard. Photos copyright GJFruita.com)