The best thrift shops in Durban.

If you walk into a thrift shop thinking, “I'm just going to have a look…” and emerge 90 minutes later with three bags, then the revamped Kloof & Highway SPCA's Village Green is dangerous territory! The SPCA has turned its thrift-shopping offering into a whole collection of shops, with everything from clothing and books to furniture, music, toys and equestrian equipment.

• Fine Feathers offers ladies' clothing and accessories.
• The Cabin for men's clothing, shoes and homeware.
• The Book Shop, where bookworms can browse an enormous selection of books, including children's books and magazines.
• Aladdin's Cave, which specialises in men's and ladies' jewellery.
• Ella Bella has bric-a-brac, collectibles, clothing, shoes and accessories.
• Plus….The Furniture Shop, Music Shop, Toy Shop, Sewing Room, Tack Shop, Gallery. 
• And when the shopping gets tiring? Paws for Coffee serves hot and cold drinks, coffee, and snacks.

What to look for

Ladies' fashion, men's clothing, books, furniture, jewellery, vinyl, CDs, DVDs, toys, fabrics, haberdashery, art, equestrian gear, homeware and plenty of things you didn't know you were looking for.

Contact information

• Location: Kloof & Highway SPCA, 29 Village Road, Kloof
• Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 8 am–3 pm | Closed on Mondays and religious holidays
• Contact: 031 764 1212/3 | [email protected]

If you prefer less digging through a box of miscellaneous crockery and more designer dress finds, keep an eye out for Never New Fashion Fair. Founded by Umhlanga locals Vasti McLeod and Tania Daniel, Never New is a high-energy second-hand fashion event focused on sustainable style.

The concept was inspired partly by Vasti's experiences with vintage shopping in Paris and London, while Tania discovered a similar second-hand shopping culture in Japan. The result is a fashion-focused pop-up where pre-loved clothing gets another chance at a new wardrobe.

What to look for

Pre-loved fashion, designer pieces, and sustainable style finds.

Contact information

• Contact: 073 580 9976
• Instagram: @never_new_fashion | @vastimcleod | @tans_daniel | @leembesnard

What if your thrift-shopping trip could also involve coffee, lunch, and supporting a good cause? That's the idea behind LIV Store & Café, where all profits from the retail venture go towards supporting the work of LIV Village and its programmes for orphaned and vulnerable children.

There are three locations around Durban and the KZN North Coast, and each combines shopping with a café offering breakfast favourites, wholesome lunches, freshly baked sourdough, sweet treats and hot and cold drinks.

The shopping selection is suitably eclectic. You'll find pre-loved clothing and accessories, designer sports shoes, dresses, handbags and jewellery, alongside second-hand homeware and décor. There are also books, CDs and DVDs, plus toys and children's clothing.

What to look for

Pre-loved clothing, accessories, sports shoes, handbags, jewellery, homeware, décor, books, CDs, DVDs, toys and children's clothing.

Contact information

• Glenashley: 36 Aubrey Drive, Glenashley, Durban North
• Florida Road: 136 Florida Road, Morningside, Berea
• Salt Rock: New Salt Rock City Centre, 1 Salt Rock Road, Salt Rock

For those who believe the best thrift finds aren't necessarily things you can wear, Now & Then Second Hand is one for the home. This family-run business has been serving the community with second-hand goods and assistance for everything from relocating and downsizing to redecorating, clearing storage units and dealing with deceased estates.

The shop buys and sells a range of household goods, including furniture, kitchen appliances, patio and garden equipment, décor and costume jewellery. They also buy gold in any condition.

What to look for

Furniture, kitchen appliances, patio and garden items, décor, costume jewellery and other household goods.

Contact information

• Address: Ellis Park Shopping Centre, Shop 1, 35 Romsey Grove, Durban North
• Contact: 031 573 1799 | [email protected]

Heading up KZN North Coast? Put Second Chance Umhlali on your thrift-shopping route. Located on Old Main Road in Umhlali, this second-hand shop offers pre-owned clothing, accessories, and household goods for shoppers looking for affordable finds with a little history attached.

The philosophy is right there in the name: old, new or previously loved, everything gets a second chance. It is also a handy stop if you're already exploring the Ballito and Umhlali area and fancy adding some bargain hunting to the itinerary.

What to look for

Second-hand clothing, accessories and household goods.

Contact information

• Address: Old Main Road, Umhlali, Ballito
• Contact: 084 827 0000 | [email protected]

If your wardrobe needs a refresh but your bank account would prefer you didn't go shopping for an entirely new one, Dress for Less has a compelling proposition. The second-hand clothing business stocks ladies' and men's clothing and accessories, with stores in Hillcrest and Durban North.

The idea is simple: with the cost of new clothing climbing, second-hand shopping offers the chance to find good-quality pieces for a fraction of the price – including older styles that you simply can't find in mainstream shops anymore.

Dress for Less operates on a consignment model, accepting men's and ladies' clothing, shoes and accessories in very good condition. Items are kept for three to four months, giving them another chance to find a new owner before sellers can collect unsold pieces or choose to donate them to charities.

What to look for

Men's and ladies' second-hand clothing, shoes, bags and accessories.

Contact information

Hillcrest Superstore: The Mushroom Farm, 450 Kassier Road, Assagay

Durban North: 87 Umhlanga Rocks Drive, Shop 13A Arcadia Centre

Contact: WhatsApp 082 880 4598 | [email protected]