Spring is finally here and whether you’re looking to shop for some fun spring items, find a place to donate your old spring items, or swap one for the other, Los Alamos has you covered!

Casa Mesita

Casa Mesita has been here in Los Alamos for a lot longer than you might think. The thrift store is an entirely volunteer managed and run organization that supports several charitable projects. Projects range from a group home for at risk girls to providing household goods, clothing, and other goods to those in our county displaced by fire or other personal disaster. The group home first began in 1972 and the thrift store began soon after.

Casa Mesita has been located in more than one spot here in Los Alamos. In the seventies and eighties it shared space with the Performing Arts Center and the home of the Los Alamos Little Theater. Later the store moved to MariMac Plaza where we’d once had a pet store. Since September of 2020, Casa Mesita has been located at 1370-B Central Avenue just down from Subway.

The store really has a lot of interesting items to catch the eye. Even better, they welcome your donations around the back of the building. The staff asks that you call 505-662-7235 and make an appointment to drop off items.

Boomerang

In November of 2022, Boomerang celebrated it’s eighth year here in Los Alamos. The Consignment and Resale shop is located at 1247-A Central Avenue in the same building as the Los Alamos Daily Post and the Karen Wray Gallery. If you’re looking to trade your stuff for something new and exciting, Boomerang is the place to go. Because so many of us are eager to trade the old for the new, Boomerang has a fantastic selection of designer and vintage clothing you might not find elsewhere. In addition, they offer furniture, books, DVDs, and even VHS tapes (for that classic feel!).

In 2021, Boomerang added the Gaia Gift Shop to their space. The gift shop has a variety of new items that appeal to tourists looking for snarky, science themed souvenirs and fun tie dye merchandise. Owner Anna Dillane is great at helping folks find a comfortable price for their consignment items and the knowledgable staff can assist anyone in putting together the perfect outfit for their next social event. Call the store at (505) 662-1479 for more information on hours and consignment.

The Shop on the Corner

Located in the church basement just across Canyon Road from the Griffith Gymnasium parking lot entrance, the Shop on the Corner is a thrift store selling gently used clothing and household items to benefit community members in need. Not only do they have a handy donation box outside the shop, they donate their proceeds to multiple charitable community organizations in and around Los Alamos. For a better idea of the shop’s mission, check out the website here. The hours are also on the website, but the shop is most frequently open on Wednesday mornings. They also offer hours on the second Saturday and the third Tuesday of every month in an effort to accommodate work schedules that don’t permit Wednesday shopping. If you’re looking for a new place to browse, you should definitely try this local shop.

The United Church Thrift Shop

The United Church Thrift Shop is operated by the Women’s Christian Service Society (WCSS). Located at 2525 Canyon Road at the United Church, the shop’s limited hours mean the early bird often catches the worm. They have quite a large selection of items and the shop operates off of mostly local donations. They accept donations of gently used and clean clothes, linens, housewares, jewelry, shoes, toys and children’s books. Donations may be dropped off any time at the bins near the door at the lower level of Craig Hall. Proceeds from the shop go to mission projects supported by the WCSS. You can find more information on the church website.

Are you surprised yet by the number of thrift stores we have here in Los Alamos? Or maybe you’re a savvy thrift shopper and you’re thinking to yourself that I’ve missed a few. I have missed a few important thrift shops here in Los Alamos. So check the blog next time for info on a few places that lean more toward vintage and shabby chic while offering some unexpectedly awesome services. And if you’re ready to buy or sell real estate here in Los Alamos, then give me a call! I’m your hometown real estate broker and I’d love to chat with you about living in Los Alamos!