The Best Thrift Stores in Prague

The Best Thrift Stores in Prague

Prague has this habit of being both majorly predictable and excruciatingly surprising.  When I moved here a few years back, I thought my research had figured the city out – beer and castles, museums and galleries, architecture and stag parties – that’s what the capital had to offer, in broad terms.

Or so I thought.

I turns out that Prague is full of hidden treasures and is even famous (in some circles) for rather peculiar things. One of them is the low key abundance of thrift stores and antique shops. Who knew! I’ve spent more than a few lazy afternoons going through old books, old clothes and old gadgets (or is “vintage” the politically correct term?), which has given me the vague air of confidence needed to write an article recommending some of these places. So if thrift shopping is your thing, sit back and read on – those places are tried and tested.

Thrift Store

Source: Official page of Thrift Store Prague

I am so not joking – that IS the name of the thrift store. The place has history and boasts to be the most famous (and oldest) store of that kind in Prague. Before you go around being impressed by the “oldest” title, know it first opened in the not so distant 2010. I mean, thrift stores are a rather new concept here.

The main purpose of the store is to provide support for key target groups, namely the:

• mothers with children
• homeless folk
• eco-friendly individuals

Something I admire deeply about the place is that a part of the proceeds also goes to charities. This is also the reason why I chose to start here. Getting a good deal AND helping the less fortunate is a great way to spend your day and you have my most sincere encouragement to do so. Furthermore, the place is pretty well packed. Based on my experience, you can find everything you didn’t know you want to find. There is a wide range of stuff, from winter sports equipment to ancient computers, cradles and even the occasional  (very occasional) Versace or other top brand.

The thrift store Thrift store can be found on  Dukelský hrdinů 21, Praha 7 & Budečská 893/13, Praha 3. You are most welcome Monday to Friday from 10 am to 7 pm and 10:30 am to 4 pm on weekends.

Fifty-fifty secondhand

Source: Official Fifty Fifty Secondhand website

Fifty-fifty was founded in 2012 and focuses mostly on vintage clothes from famous suppliers. Most of the items come from Italy and the Netherlands and are picked at the discretion of the owners who try to appeal to customers in the age range of 16-30 (at least that is my impression).  If you are on the hunt for flashy brands like Armani, you can easily find something to taste.  Something I have noticed though, some of the items seem to be not secondhand but rather discarded from regular shops – occasionally you can see the original price tag. The discounts on it vary from 20% to 40%, but again, that’s a rough guide. The more you dig the more you find.

My point is, price-wise don’t expect miracles – it is on the steeper side compared to other secondhand shops. Nonetheless, the selection of clothes is pretty good and if you have the patience to dig you can find pretty amazing deals. We all know that popular joke about the shock you get when you walk in an Adidas store and see your salary written on a pair of sneakers – well, Fifty-Fifty is a good solution for this.  Just arm yourself with patience, squeeze between the hipsters and do your thing.

You can find the place at Slezská 884/28, 120 00 Praha 2-Vinohrady, open from 10 am to 6:30 pm Monday to Saturday and 12 pm to 7 pm on Sunday.

Cesta domů

Source: Google Street View

I see this one as more of a gift shop. There are clothes, but also a lot of peculiar little items and gadgets that can make a great and unique gift.  Whether it is a decoration or a vintage household item, or perhaps a beret in epilepsy inducing colors – it doesn’t matter, chances are you will find it there. Similar to the first place we reviewed, they also donate a portion of the money you spend for the people in need, in this case the elderly, and do their best to help nursing homes.  For this reason I recommend to check out the place out and get something symbolic and quirky at the least. Let’s support the cause.

You can find the place on Bubenská 3, Praha 7. Bělohorská 90, Praha 6, open Monday to Friday from 10 am to 6 pm.

Comeback

Source: Google Street View

I will have to get fully serious here. This store supports the ones suffering from drug addiction who want to get a second chance. The owners and the staff are usually people who have experienced such problems themselves – the store tries to help people integrate back into society, as it is hard to find a job and be treated equally as a recovering addict.  All the proceeds are used to support the cause in one way or another, as they pay for the wages of the staff and for the charities that deal with such problems.

You can bring your own clothes, toys, books, etc. and make a donation in a non-monetary form if you wish. Just please make sure that what you give is usable and clean, as such places are not trash cans, but rather legitimate businesses that try to do good.  Of course, you can also shop and choose from a wide variety of items. Most books are in Czech but you can dig out some other languages, too.

In conclusion

Whether it is to find a good deal, to entertain yourself or to support a good cause, I hope you visit one of those places and make the most of it.  I hope I haven’t become tedious with all the talks about charity – it’s just that lately the world seems overwhelmed by unsustainable industries and overlooked issues. I think we should take every chance we get to reuse items and help good causes.

Anyway, I hope the reviews were helpful. If you want to come for a short trip to Prague, don’t hesitate to check our offers for guided tours and walks. From us at DiscoverWalks, we bid you good day!