30 Days of Thrifting: A Treasure Map of Topeka 

Has modern technology, like artificial intelligence, changed how we thrift? The role of thrift culture for the modern era may be compared to the growing need to carve out one’s original, stylistic identity. So, for the month of June in 2025, we decided to produce a travel guide for Topeka’s diverse array of thrift stores, antique malls, estate sales, exploring wholesome annual garage sales in historic neighborhoods and touring outstanding vendors markets in Topeka. What we found affirmed that Topeka is chalk full of one-of-a-kind people, places and things! 

If you’ve set out to thrift before, you may have been led toward communities where the pockets are deep, in hopes that “someone else’s trash” may literally be your treasure, say a designer bag or cashmere sweater. For double the treasure, Visit Topeka recommends treasure hunting where the pockets and the history of arts communities run deep. With annual garage sales in gated communities or historic neighborhoods like Potwin and Collins Park, Topeka is the home of monumental civil rights cultural milestones and precious antiques waiting to be found.

So, we kicked off in the NoTo Arts and Entertainment District for a concentrated blend of antique malls and vintage shopping experiences that make for an immersive artistic experience. Check out our first day of thrifting in Topeka! (Hint: All 30 days of Thrifting in June 2025 can be viewed from here!)

Our treasure hunt introduced us to bubbly business owners like Chris Grandmontange who owns the iconic oddity shop Warehouse 414 in downtown. As seen on WIBW 13 and CBS, Grandmontagne was an interior designer for over 30 years in Topeka. Her Warehouse, Warehouse 414, and home was a popular destination on the Topeka First Friday Art Walk for over 10 years before she retired. Her home and antique furniture warehouse is now available by appointment only and overflowing with valuable collectibles that span the last century and beyond. Here are some of the tips she gave us in a sit down interview!

Check out the various clips of my interview with Chris!
Interview Part 1
Interview Part 2
Interview Part 3

In addition to these comments, Grandmontagne and I discussed the deep and rich culture of arts that has thrived in Topeka since the 1950s. She encourages you to explore the names of artists you see on pieces you find in Topeka, you might even correlate the name to a monument or building given after them. Here are some additional tips she offered in our interview: 

1. If you feel defeated by thrifting, like you can’t find anything good when you try, Grandmontagne suggests you bring friends with you! By seeing what they're drawn to and listening to how they plan to interpret the piece in their home or in their closet, you will get your creative juices flowing and see new ideas for items that once didn’t stick out for you. 

2. For gentlemen who are skeptical of thrifting, give it a try for finding fishing rods, tools, sports memorabilia, and great deals on formal clothing items that would otherwise be top dollar in department stores. 

3. Are the kids bored with all your thrift shopping? Start collections for each of them so that, as you shop, they have their own treasure hunt to find unique items. Think of themes like “spiders, lizards, frogs.” Those collections, like the one Grandmontagne’s mother started for her as a child, may even be worth more in the future! 

We took Grandmontagne’s advice to heart and followed the signs to Topeka’s garage sales and estate sales on our own. One beautiful morning while inside an estate sale in North Topeka, myself and a woman with red hair wearing cargo shorts were eyeing the same Regency gold picture frames. I had picked them up but had reservations when I saw the look of deep interest in her eyes. I sat them back down for her and she quickly said, “No, you should really buy those!” 

“Well, why do you think so?” I replied.

“They are so beautiful.” She told me, her name is Twyla and she’s a set designer for a theatre company in town. She explained that the pieces she and I had our eyes on would be perfect for their set but she didn’t think the pieces were in her budget. “Unless you bought them, let me borrow them and I could return them right back to you,” Twyla said. 

So, I happily purchased the frames, but I was more happy to have made the human connection. 

In all of this, I came to learn that Twyla is a cheery and dedicated volunteer at Topeka Civic Theatre, the longest running community dinner theatre in the country. She connected me with other members of Topeka Civic Theatre, which is powered by a throng of dedicated volunteers. Later, I enjoyed a full backstage tour of the historic facility during the excitement of tech week for the Civic Theatre’s production of Clue. (My tour guide even provided a list of neighborhood garage sales going on in town!)

Check out my garage sale adventure.

During the weekend I saw Clue, I took great delight in seeing my gold filigree picture frames sparkling on stage inside the set’s “dining room”. More than their exterior beauty, it seemed there was no better way to attend a show produced by Topeka Civic Theatre as an audience member than as a volunteer. 

Check out my estate sale excursion.

While shopping in Topeka, we got to know true humanitarians like Nikki McDonald, the COO of Shawnee County Habitat for Humanity whose office is inside the unique thrift/hardware shop ReStore in North Topeka. In Topeka, we are lucky to have one of the over 1,000 ReStore locations in the U.S. and while sitting down with Nikki, we learned more about the incredible achievements of Shawnee County Habitat for Humanity to date and how funds are raised through ReStore to support their future projects. 

ReStore is an awesome, accessible resource useful for new homeowners, young families and those who are caring for historic houses. 

Check out how ReStore inspired us! 

Thrifting is an awesome and simple way to promote community. Take for example the lovely staff of The Giving Tree, who serve at-risk families and individuals with support services in times of need. When you thrift in Topeka, your dollars tap into an ecosystem of incredible individuals making Kansas a better place. 

Check out my visit to The Giving Tree!

Been thrifting for a while and think you’re ready for a challenge? We peered into shops that may not be as neatly color categorized as Owl’s Nest, or The Market At MacVicar, but the deals are thrilling all the same. Here are two down-and-dirty thrift stops that aren’t for the average beginner thrifter, with incredible collectibles hiding inside.

Novelty nutheads should check out Charlie's Thrift-Venture and Cedarwood Thriftique : 

Tip: Cedarwood Thriftique is close by to Blind Tiger Brewery,  an awesome brew stop in Topeka! 

Here's a family day-cation itinerary for you to use on your thrifting adventure!
 

Thirty Days of Thrifting in Topeka showed us around town, brought us closer to our community, and enriched our lives with beloved new trinkets and items! We enjoyed cultural festivals like Germanfest and Topeka Pride with new found appreciation. We supported noble nonprofits like The Giving Tree and ReStore while making time to praise top-dollar antique malls like Ferris Wheel Antiques and Washburn Antique Mall. 

Follow curiosity, embrace individuality, meet new folks, explore the capital city of the Free State and bring home a treasure chest of memorabilia along with priceless memories. Come thrift in Topeka, it is worth the price of admission.