To some, Guelph, Ontario is a small town. To others, an urban hub connecting the surrounding region. Although the true answer lies somewhere in the middle, Guelph manages to retain that small town feel with city-like thrift & consignment selection. The reason for this lies in the friendliness of its people, the collaboration of its community, and its unique vibe & style – attributes all embodied by Guelph’s new Thrift & Consignment Map.
A Google Maps version of Guelph’s Thrift & Consignment Map to get you en-route to thrifting adventures
For a downloadable, electronic copy of Guelph’s Thrift & Consignment Map, click here:
Download FileThe Power of Collaboration
Guelph’s Thrift & Consignment Map is an initiative spearheaded by one of our community’s beloved consignment store owners, Holly Mastrogiacomo of Smitten Apparel. Through our Marketing Material Development Fund (which supports the creation of marketing materials to help tourism operators steward the Guelph story and tourism opportunities) Holly collaborated with 15 of Guelph’s Thrift & Consignment stores and created this map – providing a guide for the many visitors whose aim is to shop sustainably and find that ‘new’ staple in their wardrobe. The map provides visitors with a visual guide of Guelph’s best Thrift & Consignment shops and allows them to plan out their apparel-seeking adventure, adding to the list of amazing things to do in Guelph.
Humble Beginnings
A truly organic and grassroots project, Holly explained that the Thrift & Consignment Map was almost inevitable. For years, Guelph’s secondhand scene has been drawing in visitors from around Wellington County, the GTA, and beyond looking for places to visit near them or nearby tourist attractions, with enough unique shops to easily spend a whole day (or two) shopping secondhand. When first-time visitors visited Holly’s shop, she would kindly draw visitors a map showing how to best spend their day. When the Marketing Material Development Fund went live, Holly seized the opportunity to showcase her idea, and we gladly accepted.
Guelph’s Thrift & Consignment Map is a true testament to Guelph’s friendly culture where (much like with the Guelph.Beer Bus) even competitors in business are eager to collaborate, as well as to Guelph’s green culture – where you’ll find a strong penchant for sustainability. Guelph’s Thrift & Consignment Map was also created with diversity, equity, and inclusion in mind, with many shops offering inclusive apparel with maternity and plus size selection, and others offering highly affordable apparel that ensures everyone has access to quality clothing, regardless of their financial circumstances.
Can you tell we’re proud of our city? Now now, that’s enough showing off, it’s time to button up and shop!
Great Finds Await
If you’re new to Guelph’s thrift & consignment scene, we’ll give you a quick scoop on a thrift & consignment gems – and leave the rest for you to discover. See the images at the bottom of this blog for the full list!
Wild Rose Consignment – The oldest consignment store in town, Wild Rose Consignment has been offering hand-selected quality pieces since 1992, with a focus on modern women’s clothing and accessories. Strolling around downtown Guelph, their storefront is hard to miss – boasting beautiful hues of pink and turquoise.
Smitten Apparel – The visionaries of Guelph’s Thrift & Consignment Map, Smitten Apparel offers a wide selection of casual, business and evening wear, as well as maternity and plus size selections. Smitten Apparel’s many initiatives have been featured on CBC.ca,the Guelph Bugle, Guelph Tribune, and Guelph Mercury for their dedication to making access to period products easier for those of low-income households.
Consign your Curves – Since 2013, Consign Your Curves has been Canada’s largest Plus Size Consignment Clothing Store. Positivity of both body image and self confidence is free with or without purchase, and you’ll find warm and welcoming staff to help you find the perfect pieces.
The Attic – The Attic is Guelph’s 2nd oldest thrift & consignment store, attracting a large university crowd, and featuring plenty of essentials. The Attic is a great stop for men’s as well as women’s clothes, with the store split near 50-50.
Three Pieces x Mudança – Bobby of Three Pieces has been reworking clothes from a young age, becoming prolific in markets across Guelph and beyond for his custom pieces. Having recently celebrated a year in his new shop (which is a whole vibe), Three Pieces is rapidly becoming a staple in the Guelph thrift & consignment scene.
The Patch: With 2 locations in Guelph, each with their own vibe, The Patch offers chic secondhand apparel and is a favourite among Guelph’s Gryphons. Check out either of their shops downtown and discover all the looks on offer!
(New!) Rumours Consignment & Vintage Clothing: Rumours and vintage fashion both follow the old saying: “what goes around comes around”. With cyclical style as a focus at their downtown storefront, Rumours has been a bustling new hub for consignment since opening in October 2024.
Celebrate Clothing with us in Guelph
At each thrift & consignment store on the map, you’ll encounter friendly staff eager to share stories, offer recommendations, and make you feel right at home. It’s this sense of belonging that keeps both residents and visitors returning, creating a welcoming atmosphere that’s hard to find elsewhere in the region. There is most definitely a vibe here, and we want you to come experience it for yourself. See Guelph by visiting any of the (now not so) hidden gems listed below to pick up your map and begin your Guelph Thrift & Consignment adventure. Show us your finds by tagging @gatheringuelph on Instagram or Gather In Guelph on Facebook! Happy thrifting!
