The best thrift shopping happens when you’re not looking for anything at all. That’s what I reminded myself as I drove southeast from Columbus into the rolling hills of Athens County on a sunny spring afternoon. Within an hour, the landscape shifted from concrete and traffic to winding roads, green hillsides and the laidback rhythm that always greets me in Athens.

I’ve long had a soft spot for Athens. I’ve always admired the creative energy surrounding Ohio University and the people who chose not just to study in Athens, but also to stay. There’s an unmistakable personality to the place: artistic, independent, slightly bohemian and proudly unpolished in the best possible way.

That personality shows up in Athens County’s thrift, vintage and resale shops, too. What struck me while exploring Uptown Athens wasn’t simply the treasure hunting. It was how closely these stores reflect the community itself. Store owners talk about sustainability, local artists and keeping things affordable. Many of the businesses support causes larger than themselves, from foster children to regional artisans. Together, they create a secondhand culture that fits naturally into Athens County.

Bleeding Heart Botique at 12 1/2 East State Street in Uptown Athens, Ohio on October 6, 2023. (Photograph by Joel Prince)

My first stop in Uptown Athens was Bleeding Heart Boutique, a colorful shop filled with vintage denim, patterned shirts, handmade jewelry and racks of clothing I immediately imagined my teenage daughter trying on. 

Owner Hannah Morgan, an Athens native and former fine-arts student, described the store as “mostly secondhand boutique more than thrift,” carefully sourcing and repairing pieces before putting them on the racks. “I love how small our community is,” Morgan told me. “We’re very supportive of one another and tight knit.”

Morgan also pointed to the natural beauty surrounding Athens. “Anywhere within five miles outside the bubble of Athens is beautiful countryside.” The store reflects that same creativity and care. Clothing mixes with ceramics, stickers, cards and handmade items from local artists and friends. Morgan gravitates toward bright colors, bold patterns and natural fabrics such as linen, silk and cotton over fast-fashion synthetics.

“It’s almost like you’re thrifting, but someone already went through the racks for you,” Morgan said with a laugh.

Athens Underground

A few blocks away, I descended the staircase into Athens Underground, a basement-level vintage shop packed with records, dresses, books, old signs and decades of nostalgia. Employee Maxwell Levitsky explained that many of the store’s items come through estate cleanouts, giving forgotten belongings a second life.

“We help people go through donations, things they want to keep and things we’re able to sell,” Levitsky said.

I spent a long time flipping through the vinyl bins before landing on two jazz albums, by Dizzy Gillespie and Charlie Parker. Levitsky explained the shop became known for jazz after acquiring thousands of records from a collector connected to New York’s music scene in the 1970s and ’80s.

“It’s cool to see albums in the condition they looked like when they first came out,” Levitsky said.

River of Time Boutique in Uptown Athens

Then there was River of Time Boutique and Gallery, an eclectic blend of boutique, vinyl shop and psychedelic rock gallery co-owned by Jefferson Airplane guitarist Jorma Kaukonen and Vanessa Kaukonen. I left with an upcycled shirt, an R.E.M. pin and an Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass album from Jorma’s personal collection.

Manager Stephanie Layton said the shop tries to create “something for everybody” while supporting artists, fair-trade makers and women-owned businesses. Once a month, the store also hosts free concerts when Kaukonen is in town.

Finally, I visited New-To-You Thrift Shoppe, a nonprofit thrift store operated by the Athens County Foster Parent Association. Racks of vintage dresses sold for less than $10 while proceeds helped foster families with clothing, toys, furniture and summer activities for children. 

By the end of the day, I realized I hadn’t just gone thrifting. I’d spent hours talking with people who care deeply about Athens and about each other. That may be what keeps people coming back.

Even after the college students leave for summer, Athens still has energy. Shop owners have time to chat. Parking spots open up. You can linger over coffee, browse through stacks of records or wander into a store with no agenda and still leave with something memorable. I came home with albums, a shirt and a pin. I also came home reminded why I always liked Athens in the first place.

Author: Wendy Pramik

Wendy Pramik is a Columbus-based travel writer and photographer who enjoys weekend adventures around Ohio with her husband and two children.