Posted on Leave a comment

Thrifting in Mechanicsburg, PA

Yesterday, we ventured up to Carlisle, PA for a ham radio gear pick up, and of course took the opportunity to hit some thrift stores in the Area. Our day started out at a few local yard sales, and the ones we found along the way. I got some great things to add to my store including a collection of Littlest Pets and other goodies I have not had time to inventory yet. We also hit a few in Carlisle that had some great stuff and the area is beautiful.

We ate lunch at the Middlesex Diner. It was quaint and clean with fast service and yummy food. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a quick sit down place with decent prices.

After lunch, we were ready to get serious about thrifting, so we put in the address for the Mechanicsburg Goodwill into Wayz, my new favorite phone app! On the way, my husband spotted a thrift store that did not show up in our google searches, so we turned in to check it out. The parking lot was very empty and we wondered if it was even open. It was indeed, so we headed in.

Volunteers of America

675 Silver Spring Rd

Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

The Initial area of this store is furniture. It was the typical vintage furniture and lamps, but nothing stood out as valuable. Inside the store was large. Lots of clothing with housewares and toys in the rear. I am not a clothing person nor a fashionista. I usually steer clear of clothes and shoes. I can say the clothes looked below average for a thrift store. The toys and wares also were below average. They were things many other stores would never put out. My daughter did find a set of gem tones crayola crayons she just had to have and a Perler bead set. I walked away with one lone rubber craft stamp to add to my inventory.

Next, we headed to:

Goodwill Store & Donation Center

4880 Carlisle Pike

Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

I had read good reviews, so was expecting great things. Once we got past the adorable special needs man singing terribly to bad country greeting everyone outside on the walkway of the strip mall, I entered what looked like a typical Goodwill for the area. It was clean and organized with lots of potential. There is a central isle like the yellow brick road to Oz, and on that isle I spotted an American Girl Backpack that has a place for the doll as well! I have not had a chance to clean it up yet or inventory it, but it is a gem! Toys and electronics were a bust, but a set of dinnerware caught my eye. A huge box of Sheffield Granada for $12.95!! It came home with us and will be up soon.

Directly across the street from Goodwill is:

CommunityAid, Inc.

4833 Carlisle Pike

Mechanicsburg, PA 17050

This place was packed full of cars and was monstrous inside! The entire center is clothing and heard people calling each other via cell phone to locate on another. The outside starting from the right when you want in is baby items and toys. There are also bags of toys on the tops of clothing racks. Most of the bags were randomly selected and probably too hard to get sets out of. Im sure there were gems in there somewhere if you know what you are looking at. Walking around the exterior, the ends of the clothing aisles have wire bins full of toys as well. The 3rd bin I looked in was THIS! A Vintage TOMY 70’s Fashion Plates . No box or Pencils, but intact otherwise. I also found a bag of rubber craft stamp to add to my inventory. They had several Stampin Up sets, but wanted $8 a set for them. Too steep for me! Housewares and dishes was extensive including Books and Records. Continuing around, there is a section of baby gear and luggage. Lots of vintage pieces. The clothing looked gently used and the had something for every occasion and season out. Prices were generally low and they had volunteers working the register who were extremely nice. One offered me a tissue when I commented I needed one.

Our last stop of the day was:

Salvation Army Thrift Store

3901 E Trindle Rd

Camp Hill, PA 17011

This place was cramped and stuffy, but not as dirty as some of the other Salvation Army stores I have been to. The store is large and shelves are crammed full of goodies. I got this Longaberger Salt and Pepper shaker and a few patterns out of the stop. I could have spent a lot more time there but everyone was getting tired. The prices were fantastic and the selection was great.
If you are ever in the area, definitely spend a day hitting these fantastic spots that are just a few minutes from each other!
Leave a Reply