Thrifing in Petaluma

When we landed in Dallas and ran into some other Blissdom bloggers, one of them showed us the current issue of Country Living Magazine which featured Petaluma, a sweet town in Sonoma County. I adore Petaluma and have always enjoyed visiting the downtown area during our summer visits to Sonoma County. With yesterday being President's day I thought I would take the family there for an outing. The Country Living article was lovely but forgot to mention the fabulous selection of thrift stores in Petaluma.

Family on bridge near downtown.

A stop into Peet's coffee for a quick drink.

tried a deliciously sinful Raspberry Mocha.

First thrift stop was Alphabet Soup Thrift Store.

Prices were fare. I picked up some candle making supplies for a future craft: 1 wax melting pot, soy wax beads and a large spoon for $4.99. The women working there were very welcoming and answered my questions happily. I asked about the Salvation Army and they told me it was closed but referred me to another thrift store down the street.

Sacks Hospice was closed for the holiday. It is by far my favorite thrift store in Petaluma.

I was still able to take a photo through the window despite the locked door. This store is a must if you like vintage items. They have an entire rack of vintage clothing, a shelf of old books and a sweet odd collection of furniture. Last time I stopped in I brought home a Ben Seibel plate for $2.00 and two single serving Le Creuset casseroles for $4 each.

The highlight of the day was discovering the store Xchange. I met the owner Alison and adored her from the start. She loves what she does and I was envious when she told me she was heading to Texas to get items for her store. Imagine a work trip to buy vintage prom dresses? Xchange is a non-profit store that also offers consignment. They have an fab eclectic mix of modern and vintage. Check out their cause website Chandlersky.

They offer a funky wide variety of men's items. Lots of vintage shirts.

What I love about this shop is their prices. Alison said to me that she prices things to sell and that she marks items a little more than your average thrift store but far cheaper than a Vintage ReSale store. Cerys wanted me to ask about something that she was looking for and Alison not only had the item but gave it to Cerys as a gift. Her only request is that Cerys makes something creative with it. Cerys was beaming when we left Xchange. I need to go back to Xchange sans children so that I can properly look at their clothes.

Last thrift store of the day was Goodwill. They used to have a perfect store in an old building downtown until a fire destroyed everything. I much preferred the old store as it seemed to have a lot more vintage items. This Goodwill store is the same cookie cutter design of most of the stores in Sonoma County have. All the glassware and knickknacks are on top of the clothing racks which is always a challenge to my 5'1" size.

Cool table that I regret not buying. I think painting it a light powder blue might have worked. The store was clean and very busy with shoppers.

Petaluma is a thrifter's ideal day out. This town is brimming with thrift stores, consignment stores and antique shops. You are guaranteed not to go home empty handed. Have you thrifted here? What's been your best find? Did I miss a thrift store that should get a mention?

Comments

[laura]

Selena! in the third picture from the bottom there is a 3 legged candle holder. Do you know anything about it? I have the same set and know nothing except I love it!

I wish I had more paved roads going place in Alaska. We are pretty limited in thrift stores, which is probably a good thing.

[Tracy]

I think we need to hit Xchange!! Looks like a wonderful place for fashion blog inspiration!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Selena Cate]

Its funny Laura, but that was the one item I actually touched and flipped over from that photo. It didnt have any information on it all. It looks so atomic in style though. If you are even in the Bay Area, lets go on a thrifting excursion.

[Van]

Wow, envious of all those gorgeous thrift stores, the pictures are lovely! This reminds me of how me and some nerdy thrifter/artists are planning a "thrift day" where we hit up all numerous thrift stores on a long road! Fun.

[laura]

I am actually coming in October for BlogHer Food '10!! I am planning to come early or stay late to accommodate ALL the things I want to do! We need to go thrifting!! Excited already!!

[Online Consultation]

Good shots of photographs, it captures the essence of your post. It depicts the main core of the post.

[This Thrifted Life]

Those look like some really wonderful thrift shops. I love how airy and open they seem.

Xchange sounds like a really neat place. I just discovered a new-to-me town where I'll be spending a lot of time over the next few months, and I'm hoping I can stumble upon some thrift stores while I'm exploring.

[HeidiAnn]

I was there last September with my sisters! We went to Alphabet Soup! I think we need to plan another little trip - SOON!

[Selena Cate]

Im planning to attend Blogher Food too, especially if I can get this foodie blog going. Maybe Ill do a special thrift tour of Sonoma County for you and others that are coming to attend the event.

[kristen]

ooooo! I wish I could go thrifting in Petaluma! Do you have a list somewhere on your blog of all your favortie thrift stores in the Seattle area?

Guess what? I'm going to the UPS store today to mail your package!

[laura]

Selena, I looked at my candle holders again and found Solingen Germany on the bottom a quick search led me to a pair on ebay for 40bucks they are indeed mid century modern which I love but have a 1935 farm house. So while I love that style I usually don't buy it.

[For the love of thrift]

Ooooh the thrift envy - looks like thrift heaven. And the goodwill table...gorgeous!

[Dana]

Hi Selena,
Found your blog through Cathe Holden's, "Just Something I Made" and I love it. Cathe is a great customer and consignor at my consignment shop in Petaluma (Red Umbrella Consignment) We're down the street from XChange. Do stop by when you're next in Petaluma. Your photos are great and they captured the essence of each of the stores you visited. Best wishes. Check us out. www.redumbrellaconsignment.blogspot.com

[Diane]

I have just started thrifting. Wish we had stores like these. I hope to be thrifting this weekend.
Blessings
Diane

[Emily]

When I lived in Cloverdale, it was always a treat to drive to Petaluma! Miss it. I've had some major thrifty deals, unfortunately my favorite one, Savers which is like a department store or central clearing house for other charities that don't have stores, has gotten a bit pricey! I kind of liked thrifting better when it wasn't cool and it was cheaper!

[amy]

have you been up to Lytton Springs lately? How about Love your Neighbor in Santa Rosa? I am thrift deprived...

[Carla]

That looks like a fabulous day out!! I have to say, that most of our thrift stores & the like are downtown, in a "not so nice" area so I tend to avoid them... :( Which is too bad because I do love finding hidden treasures!

[Kate at Centsational Girl]

Hi Selena - great article on our sweet hometown ! Cathe and I were just at Sacks the other day !

Kate

[TidyMom]

This is why all of you California girls find all the best thrifting!! seriously.....we don't have places like that in St. Louis!!

Thanks for taking us along!♥

[Apryl]

I don't think I have ever been thrifting in Petaluma, mostly used to go to the used bookstore tucked around the back.. and the Rainbow foods 'wierd store' .. and a few antique stores here and there.. I wonder if I will be able to spend an hour or two there when we come visit at the end of the month? *plots*