If you type “Consignment Store Near Me” into your search box, a portal to another world will open up. Consignment stores have rows of hidden treasures, smells of nostalgia, and the thrill of finding something uncommon. They’re often just a short walk from your favorite café. Every journey is a mix of luck and chance, like shuffling a deck of wild cards and hoping for a good draw.

Let’s be honest: who doesn’t like getting the most out of their money? At the consignment shop near my house, it feels almost wrong (in the greatest sense) to get a designer coat or pair of handmade boots that have only been worn a few times. Prices are a few levels below retail. Why pay three times as much for a stylish tag? Someone else’s stylish castoff becomes the highlight of your Saturday night.

Don’t think about old rags and dust. You never know what these stores will have in store for you. One day, you’ll see an art deco lamp that reminds you of your grandmother’s living room. Next time, how about some vinyl recordings that go from Motown to synthpop like a radio station that doesn’t work right? Sometimes, the nicest things aren’t even on the shelves. Look up and see a unique chandelier or an old-fashioned wall clock hiding on a high shelf.

Shopping at thrift stores can be just as unpredictable as the weather. You need to be open-minded and willing to poke, prod, and play. Are you with kids? It’s like playing I Spy. “Who can find the strangest hat?” Shopping goes from being a chore to a game all of a sudden. You might even hear strangers talking about where “that jacket” has been previously. There is a history to everything. Some stories are just begging to be imagined.

But with treasures come strange things that happen. A outfit that seems like it came from a 1970s sitcom or a sequined purse that is bigger than your neighbor’s dog should make you giggle. When I shop at a consignment store, or really anywhere, I can try on styles that I wouldn’t ordinarily buy at full price. Try it out. Try new things. Let your inner fashion daredevil emerge without feeling bad.

Quality varies, but a quick check for loose buttons, missing zippers, or the dreaded mystery stain usually keeps surprises nice. Follow your gut and your nose. Most of the time, the staff at stores are surprisingly nice and won’t criticize you if you come in every other Wednesday to look around.

Are you an eco-friendly person? Shopping with consignment is a win-win. You save money and keep perfectly good clothes out of the trash. It’s like shopping with a little bit of giving. Every time you buy secondhand, Mother Earth offers you a virtual high-five.

So, the next time you drive by that small brick cottage with the hand-painted sign, stop. Let’s start the treasure quest by going to a secondhand store near me. You never know what you’ll find. It could be your new favorite shirt. It could just be a good story to tell.