Trove Marketplace Blog

What are The Best Spots for a Stillwater Thrift Day?

4/25/2022

The Best Spots to Thrift in Stillwater, MN

You know the feeling. You're bored, it's gloomy, and there's $50 burning a hole in your pocket. You could peruse Facebook Marketplace to find something to buy, but that's no fun. You want to do something, and that "thing" is thrifting.

Stillwater thrifting is some of the best in Minnesota. The old town is packed with dozens of antique sellers, thrift stores, and more. It's so packed with vintage and antique items that it's difficult to know where to go! We're here to give you a little expert guidance on the subject and offer some ideas.

trove.Marketplace is a Good Place to Start

Not to toot our own horn, but we've trove. has almost everything you could ever want from a thrift store. We're packed with clothes, antiques, hand-crafted goods, vintage items, and all of those little things that fill the space between.

If our shop isn't the start and end of your thrift trip to Stillwater, it will sure give you some ideas and direction. Plus, everyone who works at trove. is an expert thrifter from the area. If there's something you're looking for, we'll know where you ought to go.

So, start your Stillwater thrift here and we'll guide you on your way elsewhere (if you need something we don't have).

Main Street in Downtown Stillwater

Main street is a hub of antiques and artisan goods. The antique mall is massive and it's not the only one in the city. Stroll down Main Street in Stillwater, get some ice cream, and dream the day away looking at nostalgic items.

Even if you're not set on a final destination, the downtown area is a great starting place to just get out of your car and start looking. You'll get a good idea of the shops after a few minutes, and people should be more than willing to point you in the direction of other, similar shops downtown.

Surrounding Areas

The area around trove.Marketplace is home to a number of great shops you might be interested. There's a great Goodwill around the corner from us, and we're kitty-cornered to used furniture shop The Lived-in Room which has a lot of great interior design pieces.

New Day Thrift store is just up the road in Little Canada as well.

We hope the ideas above were useful for your Stillwater thrifting trip. We're sure you'll find something worth bringing home and cherishing for years to come!

Does Trove Sell Furniture?

3/31/2022

We get a lot of questions about furniture at trove.Marketplace.

The biggest two queries we get are "does Trove sell furniture" and "can I sell furniture at Trove? These are good questions, and we've got answers for you. Scroll below to address your question about buying and selling furniture at our store.

We're happy to answer other questions you might have if you contact us or swing by the store. That said, most questions that you have can be answered on this page, our FAQ page, or our consignment page. So, does Trove sell furniture?

Buying and Selling: Does Trove Sell Furniture?

To answer the big question, yes. We do sell a lot of furniture, although we aren't a furniture store. Our vendors curate their selections by thrifting, hunting, crafting, and creating their goods. In a lot of cases, that leads to a number of excellent pieces of furniture finding their way into our store.

You might find the best end table you've ever seen hiding in one of our corners. On another day, you could grab a sectional couch from us. At any given time, there are dozens of excellent pieces from various vendors. There isn't one particular type of furniture that we deal with, though.

Our selection comes and goes and is always shifting. If you're looking for something specific, you can reach out to us and ask about it or visit the store to see for yourself.

Can I sell Furniture to Trove?

This is a pretty popular question as well. This answer is a little more complicated than the last, though.

There are a couple of ways to sell furniture at trove.Marketplace. It's important that you don't bring furniture to our store unannounced, however. Customers in the past have brought furniture to the store in hopes that we'd buy it. This is something we do not do, and that's frustrating when you've hauled a big piece of furniture all the way down to the store.

So, if you're looking to sell furniture at our store or to the vendors in our store, here's what you do:

Take a look at our furniture consignment application page. You can use the information on that page to apply to sell furniture through consignment. You'll see our rates, the distribution of the profits, and more. This is the only reliable way to sell furniture at trove.Marketplace.

If you're interested in selling particular items to our vendors, the process isn't clear-cut and there's a very small chance that it would happen. Only on rare occasions do we help customers sell items to our vendors. This only happens when the item is perfect for a particular person in the store.

Note that vendors must buy items at a lower rate than market value. Their purpose is to acquire items and sell them to make a living, and that can't happen when they acquire items and pay full price for them. If you're looking to get the best deal, it might be wise to try selling on platforms like Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace.

Their process is similar to a lot of resellers. Take a look at this example of a reseller's process for finding and selling good. Our vendors take a slightly different approach, but the ideas in this video could help to clarify things:

We hope these ideas have helped to clarify things! We look forward to seeing you in the store. Explore our site or contact us for more information about trove.Marketplace and all we do!

Where's The Best Twin Cities Vintage?

3/24/2022

Finding good vintage wares in a big city seems like it'd be pretty easy, right?

The Twin Cities are great places to stumble upon exciting relics from the past, but it's often the case that the best stuff gets snatched up before you even see it. City stores are vast, but a lot of the things you see have been there for a long time. The best clothes, antiques, collectibles, and more are rotated in and bought right as they're displayed.

So, for those of us who aren't able to keep an eagle eye on vintage goods, where can you find the best Twin Cities vintage?

Take a Short Trip Out of Town

It's often the case that the best styles and vintage wares are found outside of town. Suburbs and small towns on the outskirts of the big city are where the real finds are hiding.

Why's that, you might ask?

These places are rife with people who know how to find and sell vintage items at reasonable prices. That said, there aren't as many people who are clambering to get their hands on older goods. The vintage fever exists in these places, but it burns a little hotter in the heart of the city.

The result is that you find places like trove.Marketplace that have thousands of excellent vintage goods that haven't been snatched up. For example, Minneapolis has a "Twin Cities Vintage Fest" to meet the need of all of the antique and vintage hunters of the city.

You'll find no such thing in Stillwater. What you will find, though, is a carload of excellent finds at half the price of the stores in more populated areas.

Tips and Tricks for Thrifting

If you feel the need to thrift and find excellent clothes or products, it's helpful to get the insights of someone who's done it before. We could talk your ear off about it if you stop by the shop.

If you're short on time, though, here's a GREAT video on how to capitalize on your thrift opportunities. This is geared toward clothing, but a lot of the insights apply to those who are looking for interior design pieces, collectibles, and more.

Enjoy!

What Are Trove Marketplace Prices?

3/10/2022

A place as eclectic as trove.Marketplace might be difficult to judge when it comes to prices.

Some shops like ours jack prices through the roof, while others are goldmines of valuable items for sale at very low prices. You might see our little boutique (flea market, thrift store, antique mall, collectible paradise, etc.) and imagine that everything is marked up a great deal.

We're going to talk about our prices today, giving you a good idea of how to answer the questions "what are Trove Marketplace prices and are they worth it?" (Here's a hint: you'll like the answer.)

Are Trove Marketplace Prices Reasonable?

We have a wide variety of sellers, crafters, and artisans at trove. All of whom are able to sell their goods at prices that allow them to turn a profit and continue making the items that you love. The same is true for those who find and sell collectibles, vintage items, antiques, and anything else you'll find within our walls.

Some of those things naturally fetch a high price, while others are very cheap. Many of the things in our store are surprisingly affordable and would go for two or three times as much at other stores with similar merchandise.

In almost every case, you can sift through trove.Marketplace and find deals upon deals. That's true whether you're looking for a piece of furniture, a new outfit, or an old Star Wars collectible figurine for your loved one.

At the same time, because of our variety, you'll find items that sit at the top end of your budget. If you're looking for those things, we've got them.

What Makes trove.Marketplace Different?

The thing that sets trove.Marketplace apart from other stores with similar approaches is the fact that we give a lot of license to our vendors. Their pricing is their own, but the general culture of trove.Marketplace is one that doesn't aim to maximize profit at the expense of our customers.

We try very hard to create a positive atmosphere and foster a place where people like to visit, shop, and take a walk down memory lane. You can appreciate that from the way you're greeted at the door to the spark of joy you get when you look at our price tags.

Another point of pride is the fact that we do have a few high-end things here and there and those things cost a little more money. On the flip side, we have a sea of everything in-between.

It's pretty tough to define us, but you can definitely say that Trove Marketplace prices are reasonable for people on any budget.

Stillwater, MN Shopping Ideas

2/13/2022

Are you planning a trip to Minnesota anytime soon? Making your way through Stillwater as you cross through into the land of 10,000 lakes?

If so, you're in for a treat. Stillwater is home to some of the best shopping and deep-dive thrifting in the country. The thing is, you have to know where to look. It's often the case that the best shopping in town is off of the beaten path. We're going to run trough a few of the best Stillwater, MN shopping ideas today, giving you the gems that you wouldn't find if you were just passing through.

1. trove.Marketplace

trove.Marketplace is one of the biggest collectives of local artisans, crafters, and collectors in Stillwater. Hosting anywhere from 30-40 vendors at any time, trove is a goldmine for Stillwater thrifting.

When it comes to Stillwater thrifting, trove.Marketplace is likely the place you'll find the most variety and quality. You'll also find bath products, seasonings, artwork, vintage collectibles, repurposed clothing, jewelry, and furniture. It's the kind of place you could peruse for six hours if you had the time.

Here's a video tour of our shop (note that items change on a weekly basis so don't get your hopes up if you see something great in the video!)

2. Downtown Stillwater

Downtown Stillwater is famously great for antiquing. You don't go down to visit a single shop, though, as it's more of an opportunity stroll through the various shops on Main Street. A walk down the main drag of downtown Stillwater gives you dozens of excellent shopping options.

You could visit the Antique Mall, get a bite to eat, then dip into one of the locally-owned businesses peppered along the heart of downtown. Take a look at some of the boutiques available to you within walking distance of wherever you park in Downtown Stillwater.

3. Downtown Hudson

If you're not familiar with downtown Stillwater, then you might not be aware of Hudson. Hudson, WI is just a five minute drive across the St. Croix River when you're in Stillwater.

It's a good idea to take a look at both sides of the river when you're on a shopping spree. You'll find a lot of the same sort of shops in Hudson, only with an entirely new variety of things to pick from. Locally-owned and operated businesses are the lifeblood of both Stillwater and Hudson, so you'll encounter all kinds of stores with a lot of heart.

If you need a place to start, take a look at this Yelp review of the best places to shop in Hudson.

Need More Stillwater Thrift Ideas or Shopping Tips? Just Ask!

If you're hard-pressed for good shipping in our town, drop us a line! We're here to fill you in on what we have going on in-store as well as any shopping secrets we've picked up over the years.

Remember, we scour the city for the best thrifted and repurposed deals. We know what you're looking for. Stop by trove.Marketplace to start your journey or contact us to get any ideas!

Valentine's Day Gift Guide

2/8/2022

Your Stillwater Valentines Day Gift Guide!

It's easy to get wrapped up in the marketing hullabaloo of Valentine's season. We get advertisements every which way telling us to drop thousands of dollars on things our partners don't really want.

The truth is, you have to do some digging for the right Valentine's Day gift. You can't just run out to the store, spend a thousand dollars and expect to end up with a meaningful gift. It's important that you really think through your gift, make it personal, and take some time to craft it in a way that makes it even more special.

Let's explore some ideas on how to go about the gift-giving process on Valentine's Day. We won't look at particular gifts so much as how you can approach giving a great present. We'll give you some gift ideas along the way, too.

Start Thinking As Early As You Can

Your first mistake is doing last-minute shopping.

When you scramble for a gift on February 13th, you sell yourself short. Your odds of finding something truly meaningful are slim-to-none. That's when you end up with a box of chocolates, a Hallmark card, and a little stuffed animal from Walgreens.

*Don't get us wrong, there's nothing wrong with those gifts.

There's nothing wrong about showing up at someone's house with the picturesque trio of Valentine's day items described above. There are about ten million other options to explore, though. Plus, if you've followed that gifting pattern every year for the last ten years, odds are that the person you're with doesn't want another box of chocolates.

They're thinking about Valentine's Day, too. Whether they know it or not, they're probably giving you some small clues as to what they want or need this year. That's why it's so good to start thinking early. Make notes of things related to wants or needs that your partner tells you about. They might comment on a billboard every time you drive by or make repeat comments about something they saw online that they think is neat.

Repeat comments are always something to make a note of when it comes to gift-giving.

Take a Few Trips Around Town

We're not all great detectives when it comes to reading our partners' wants or needs. Sometimes, you just have to fly by the seat of your pants and follow your gut with your gifts. The tricky thing is, we always do that last-minute and end up falling short of a great gift.

So, if you're someone that needs to go out and shop in-store to find the right things, make sure you head out a couple of times. *Trove is a great place to make multiple trips because we restock every week!

(Sorry about the shameless plug)

Try some of the following things and see if they help with your gift selections:

Spend one hour a day for three days shopping before you buy anything
Take a short drive to shops in neighboring downs
Hit all of the local thrift stores
Browse online to get in-store ideas
Bring one of your partner's friends along for inspiration and moral support

There are plenty of ways to free yourself up and explore all of your options before you make a purchase. You don't even have to spend that much money. What matters most is that you buy something that shows how much you love and understand the person you're with.

If Your Out of Valentines Day Ideas, Plan an Activity

If buying little knick knacks and chocolates isn't your thing, there's always the option of planning an activity. We're chock-full of fun activities in Minnesota, even if it does happen to be 40-below.

Make a dinner reservation. Click this link to look at a few of the best date restaurants in Minnesota.
Go Ice Skating
Turn Your Apartment/House into a five-star restaurant (instructions here)
Book an AirBnb somewhere nice. It's always exciting to go somewhere rural enough to be secluded yet close enough that you don't have to spend the whole day driving. Fisher Cat Creek in Osseo is a great option for couples who are looking to have a secluded, off-grid weekend away from civilization. You can find more information and make reservations here.

When You're in a Pinch, We Have You Covered!

Hard as we may try, there will always be a time that we run out of time and need to scramble for a gift. When that happens to you, and it will, try to avoid rushing to Walgreens or Walmart for something simple and mass-produced.

Swing by trove.Marketplace and see if we can help you find something that your partner will really love. We've got everything under the sun for every type of person. So, no matter who your partner is or what they like, there will be something in our shop that they would find meaningful. Our staff is always eager to help true love flourish any way we can.

Explore our site for more information on trove.Marketplace, who we are, and what we do.

Thanks for a Fantastic Year!

12/31/2021

As we all know, 2021 has been quite the whirlwind.

Through all of the ups and downs (that we don't need to be reminded of), trove.Marketplace has been a grounding place for all of us. We've seen a lot of new faces, made valuable connections with our community and customer-base, and changed things up quite a bit within the shop.

We've found wonderful new vendors, hosted numerous events, and done all of that while doing our best to keep everyone safe and healthy. Most importantly, though, we've had a lot of fun.

That fun is all thanks to you, because we wouldn't be here if it weren't for you all. Whether you stopped by to pick up a few stocking-stuffers or you carted a car-full of odds and ends back home, we appreciate you.

If you loved everything we had in the store for you this year, you won't be disappointed by the changes we're making this year. Nothing too drastic has changed, but we're re-stocking and updating the layout of the store. As you know, that means that you could swing by and look at thousands of unique items that you've never seen before. You might even find items that you've forgotten about for forty years.

We'll be back on January 6th with our updated store hours, so make sure to come see what's changed!

Winter Hours:
Starting January 6th, our hours will be as follows

Thursdays & Fridays - 10 am to 6 pm
Saturday - 10 am to 5 pm
Sunday - 11 am to 5 pm

Fall Is Here! Let's Tackle It Together

9/24/2021

You know the drill!

It’s time to start getting into the season, gearing up for the holidays, and tuning our frequencies from beach vibes to pumpkin spice, sweaters, beanies, and bonfires. Halloween is coming, Thanksgiving is around the corner, and you’ve got about twenty other things to check off your list before you even think about those things.

We get it. This season winds up being both enjoyable and overwhelming. The beautiful thing is that trove.Marketplace is here to help you through it all.

Gifts, warm clothing, decor, spices, input, and inspiration are all found within our little shop. At the very least, we’ve got all of the things you’ll need to get through the season with shining colors.

For example, let’s say that you’re hosting Thanksgiving this year. The In-Laws are coming over along with all of the cousins, sisters, brothers, kids, grandkids, nephews, and nieces. You have all of the food in place, but you’re not sure that the interior of your home is looking up to par. You’re also worried that all of those kiddies won’t be happy unless they have something to take home with them.

You’re a little worried that this year, like all years in the past, your extended family will pick apart your design choices, silverware, plates, rugs, makeup, lifestyle habits, as well as the contents of your soul.

The last thing you want to do is go to Target and pick up some run-of-the-mill wall art. It won’t cut it. You’re stressed! Those fluorescent lights are going to roast you like a turkey.

Instead, think about running by trove.Marketplace. We have enough seasonal odds and ends to fill your entire house. Even better, we have things that nobody else has. Our items are timeless, unique, and forged from the hard work of thrifting, picking, and digging through whatever comes our way.

We’re also stocked with a myriad of hand-crafted items made by our artisans and crafters. Most importantly, though, we understand the struggle.

The holidays can be tough. We’re here to lend a hand as you piece together this year’s decorations. We might even suggest a sweater or two.

Looking for Fall Activities In Stillwater, MN?

If you're on the lookout for things to do with the family in Stillwater MN this fall, we've got you covered. trove.Marketplace is always cooking up exciting events that will excite you and the kids.

Explore our events page for updates or subscribe to our newsletter to stay in the loop on everything we have to offer.

Why Is Thrifting So Hot Right Now?

9/8/2021

If you’re someone who likes things brand new, you might wonder why in the world so many people spend so much time finding vintage goods. The same goes for thrifting and scouring the earth for used things that could be repurposed or refurbished.

Let’s take a look at some of the reasons that thrifting is such a popular activity right now. Maybe a few of the ideas below will resonate with you and push you to visit some thrift stores in Stillwater, Minnesota.

1. Thrifted Items are Unique
One big reason for thrifting is that you get something that nobody else has. Sure, vintage clothes were mass-produced at one time or another, but those items are few and far between now.

They’ve been worn and taken on some of the distinction that comes with age. When you make your way to a vintage shop like trove.Marketplace, you’re faced with thousands of time-worn items that have been collected, curated, and displayed together.

Each item is as unique as the next, and you’re interested and surprised every time you look at something new. You honestly do not know what you’re going to find, and there’s some magic in that.

2. Thrifting is Sustainable

The fashion industry is a massive contributor to climate change. It turns out that around 10 percent of carbon emissions come from clothing production and distribution. It makes sense, too, considering that many of our clothes have to be produced and shipped from halfway around the world.

To make matters worse, we own a lot more clothes than we once did. We have more of the same garment than ever before, and we wear them for a lot less time than we ever have.

The result is the excessive production and transport of clothing and emissions to match. Thrifting lodges itself in that process, reducing the demand for production.

3. Affordability

Thrifting is also very affordable. There might be a trend or two that makes some items a little more expensive, but used items are almost always cheaper than brand new ones.

There’s no need to spend exorbitant amounts of money on clothing when there are cheap, lightly-used options that are often more stylish than what you find at the store. People have started to take note of this. Plus, you shouldn’t have to be rich to dress well and feel fantastic about yourself.

Many of the most popular thrift stores like The Salvation Army and Goodwill were based on the idea of providing affordable goods so that people wouldn’t have to struggle to buy necessary things.

4. Vintage Stuff is Cool!

There’s not always an explanation, but there’s no getting around it.

Vintage clothes are cool, old stuff is interesting, and there’s something about those things that makes you need to have them. When you get a vintage item or piece of clothing, it’s much more “yours” than something you buy from a big store or chain.

Few other people have that thing. Also, the styles of old are often expressive and aesthetically appealing. We’ve all seen a few old pairs of pants that should never see the light of day, but there’s a lot more gold in the vintage aisle than there is garbage.

Looking for Thrift Store in Stillwater?

If you’re struggling to find the best thrift stores in Stillwater, Minnesota, we’ve got you covered. Trove.Marketplace is a collective of local artisans, thrifters, and crafters that offer all of the hand-made, vintage, and thrifted goods you’ll ever need.

Explore our site to learn more about us, or stop by and experience the wonders of thrifting for yourself.

The History of Thrifting

9/2/2021

Thrifting might seem like something that’s new, or just based on the popularity of vintage clothes at a given time.

That said, finding interest in old items and giving them new life is something that’s been going on for a long time. We’re going to take a look at the history of thrifting, exploring where it comes from, why it’s so popular, and why it’s such an integral part of so many people’s lives.

Hopefully, the insights below can add a little meaning the next time you visit vintage stores in Stillwater MN.

What is Thrifting, Anyway?

Merriam-Webster defines thrift as “careful management, especially of money.”

Thrift-ing is the act of seeking used or affordable goods for personal use. Seeking out affordable things is nothing new, but there’s a modern culture surrounding the practice. People go thrifting, not just because they want to save money, but because they enjoy it.

There’s something exciting about finding a little underpriced relic that you know is priceless. There’s also a great deal of variety and novelty available on the shelves of a thrift store. The intrigue of thrifting is just as much about discovery as it is about saving money.

The modern use of “thrifting” is a little different from the original usage of the word, which dates back to the 14th century. “Thrift” derives from a combination of Middle English and Norse language.

Thriven and Prifask were terms that meant “to thrive.” Those terms were loosely associated with wealth and prosperity. The term was first used to describe the habit of saving money in the 1550s.

That said, the idea of thrifting in the modern sense didn’t come until much later. This, in large part, is because people tended to only have what they needed. Excess clothes, toys, and knick knacks weren’t very common because most people weren’t accustomed to having a surplus of things.

Flea Markets and Rummage Sales

Depending on the part of the world and how different societies were organized, people have been selling their clothes, crafts, and products to each other. That said, flea markets and rummage sales are recent ancestors of thrift stores.

Flea markets are thought to have started in 19th century France. At this time, an imperial architect made changes to the layout of Parisian streets. Street vendors and secondhand sellers who previously took to the street to sell their goods were forced out of their usual spots.

Individuals organized to sell all of their goods in the same place, lining their booths up in a contained area that allowed customers to browse. There’s some question as to why it was called a “flea market,” though.

It might have been because the vendors were forced to “flee” their usual locations, and the government of the time would regularly kick them out when they set up shop. Because vendors would come from all over and operate in close quarters, some say that “flea” markets were named because there were actual fleas transferred from booth to booth.

“Rommage” is an Old English term that referred to cargo stored in a ship.

The belief is that “rommage” sales involved selling off ship cargo that wasn’t able to be sold at the market. All kinds of cargo would come in and out of ports, some of which was unneeded. That excess would be sold off, and the idea of getting rid of things that were unneeded evolved into the practice of “rummage sales.”

When homes got closer together and people started to have more excess, personal garage sales evolved from the idea of rummaging.

Goodwill's Origins

In addition to grassroots efforts to organize and sell secondhand goods, a couple of prominent businesses started doing the same around the turn of the 20th century.

Goodwill was founded in 1902 in an effort to create jobs and provide necessities to those less fortunate in Boston. Reverend Edgar J. Helms started the organization by gathering secondhand goods and clothes from wealthy people and hiring those in need to repair the goods.

The repaired items were returned at a cost or kept and sold in Goodwill stores. The result was a system that created jobs and offered an affordable way for individuals to buy high quality clothing.

Modern Thrifting

Things have evolved a lot since Goodwill was formed. There are plenty more thrift stores out there now. Many, like trove.Maretplace, are small businesses that meet a number of niche interests in thrift and secondhand goods.

Small businesses like ours have existed for a long time, but there has been a revitalized interest in thrifting in the last 25 years. There are a number of reasons for this, but there are a few that stand out as likely the most important.

The trend was bolstered by awareness of climate change and the impact that the fashion industry has on carbon emissions. It’s estimated that around 10 percent of carbon emissions come as a byproduct of the fashion industry.

It’s also important to note the sheer volume of excess clothing that was left over from the 70s, 80s, and 90s. The mass production of clothes in those eras left us with a treasure trove of styles, cuts, and brands that stuffed the vintage racks of the 2000s.

Finally, social media was the matchstick to the vintage kindling, turning thrifting into a trend that people could explore and engage with online. Ideas for repurposing or discovering vintage clothes are all over the internet and have created a subculture of people who dive into thrifting for enjoyment.

Looking for Vintage Shops in Stillwater MN?

If you’re looking for somewhere to thrift, Stillwater is a goldmine. The vintage shops in Stillwater MN are packed with wonderful antiques, vintage clothes, thrifted goods, and more.

trove.Marketplace is one of the most eclectic shops in town. We’re here to help you find what you need and learn all about the thrifting opportunities in the area. Visit our site to learn more or stop by to see what we’ve got to offer.