Last month, we once again witnessed the September 1 free-for-all known as Allston Christmas — the day when the ’hood’s hordes of students and other apartment-hoppers leave their detritus on the sidewalk and up for grabs. But Allston is an excellent source for secondhand finds all year round (Halloween costume-hunting season certainly included). Here are a few go-to treasure troves.
Buffalo Exchange » 180 Harvard Ave :: 617.779.7901
Bring your pre-loved clothes and accessories, and Buffalo Exchange will give you cash or store credit on the spot — but just for the good stuff. They’ll return the rest or donate it to charity for you. The result: a carefully curated style haven.
Store 54 » 16 Harvard Ave :: Landline coming soon
Tucked into the basement of a 19th-century firehouse, this spot boasts funky thrift and vintage threads, plus a killer record selection, appealingly random tchotchkes, and walls lined with works by local artists. Bonus: it doubles as a performance space for bands on select nights.
Urban Renewals » 122 Brighton Ave :: 617.783.8387
Urban Renewals has some quirks. It’s cash-only. It has no dressing rooms to speak of. And the clothing is arranged by color rather than size, so be prepared to scour. But the selection of bargains? Unbeatable.
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Lifestyle Features
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, Shopping, clothes, Buffalo Exchange, Buffalo Exchange, Less
