The Enormous Thrift Store In Colorado Where $25 Buys What The Mall Charges $200 For
One bag, one flat price, and you get to cram it with as much clothing as it can hold. That’s the bag sale rule at this thrift store, and it might be the most dangerous sentence in shopping.
I already feel my closet getting nervous.
The furniture section gets compared to a showroom. The ladies’ racks get compared to a department store, minus the department store prices.
I like how a secondhand shop can sound that tidy.
The best part sits behind the price tags. Every purchase here helps fund support for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities across Colorado.
I believe that makes a cheap sweater feel a little like a good deed.
This nonprofit chain opened its first Colorado store back in 1968. So how much can a person really haul home before the trunk taps out?
A Big Store With A Bigger Reason To Shop
Bargains are great, but bargains with a purpose hit different. arc Thrift Stores is a local nonprofit, and its Iliff Avenue location in Aurora carries that mission onto every rack.
The goal is simple and pretty inspiring. Shopping here helps empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including Down syndrome, autism, and cerebral palsy.
The organization ranks among Colorado’s largest employers of people with disabilities. It offers job training and real employment, which turns a store into a place where careers can start.
Net proceeds support advocacy and services through 19 chapters. Those chapters stretch across the Colorado Front Range and Mesa County, so your purchase travels farther than your shopping bag.
The history runs deep, too. The first arc Thrift Stores location opened in Colorado in 1968, and the group has supported people with IDD for over 50 years.
That’s a long track record for a thrift chain. It also means this isn’t some pop-up deal shop that vanishes next spring.
So when you grab a lamp or a pair of jeans, you’re doing more than saving money. You’re chipping in for families who rely on these services every single day.
Fill The Bag And Watch Your Wallet Breathe Easy
arc Thrift Stores has offered fill-a-bag clothing sales, but shoppers should confirm whether the promotion is currently available at the Iliff Avenue location.
Shoppers get a provided bag and fill it with clothing items for one set rate. Shirts, pants, jackets, whatever fits, as long as it squeezes inside.
This is where the mall comparison really kicks in. A single trendy jacket at a department store can cost more than an entire stuffed bag here.
The catch is timing. Bag sales happen on specific dates, not every day, so you’ll want to plan ahead.
The arc website and Facebook page list upcoming sale days. Checking those before you drive over saves you from showing up a day late and a bag short.
A little strategy helps. Folding items tightly and rolling soft pieces like tees can fit way more into that bag.
Kids’ clothes are another smart move, since they’re small and outgrown fast. Parents can restock a whole season of growing-up gear in one trip.
Honestly, the hardest part is stopping. Your bag will tell you when it’s full, even if your heart disagrees.
The Clothing Racks Could Outfit Your Whole Family
Clothing takes center stage at this Aurora shop, and the selection covers every age and size. Toddlers, teens, grown-ups, everybody gets a rack.
The ladies’ section stands out most. It’s been compared to a department store, just without those painful department store prices.
Treasure hunters, take note. Vintage and designer pieces pop up among the everyday basics, which keeps every browse a little exciting.
Jeans show up as a popular find here. Since denim lasts for years, a used pair often has plenty of life left in it.
Shoes, hats, and accessories round things out. That means you can build a full outfit from head to toe without leaving the building.
Here’s a smart tip for the dressing rooms. Keep the items you plan to buy close, because carts left alone may get tidied away fast.
Patience pays off too. Racks change as new donations arrive, so a quick weekly stop can turn up fresh surprises.
Think of it like fishing. Some days you land a vintage jacket, and other days you’re happy with solid work pants.
Both count as wins.
Furniture Hunters, Your Showroom Is Waiting
Furniture shopping usually means sticker shock and a long delivery wait. At arc Thrift Stores, the furniture area has been described as looking like a showroom instead.
Sofas, tables, chairs, and dressers can all turn up here. Furniture selection also ranks as one of the most talked-about features at this location.
First apartment on the horizon? This section could save a small fortune on the basics that make a place feel like home.
Measure before you go. Knowing the size of your wall or doorway keeps a gorgeous dresser from getting stuck in the hallway.
Bring a friend with a truck, too. Big pieces need a ride home, and arms get tired quickly.
Solid wood pieces deserve a second look. A little sanding or a fresh coat of paint can turn an older piece into something that looks custom.
Inventory moves, so the perfect armchair may not wait for you. If something speaks to you, it’s usually wise to grab it before someone else does.
Furniture is where the savings really stack up. One great table can cover the cost of many mall trips.
Kitchen Cabinets Love A Good Thrift Run
Mismatched mugs have more charm than any matching set from the mall. Housewares at this shop cover kitchenware, decor, small appliances, and bed and bath goods.
Cooking newbies can stock a kitchen here without draining their savings. Pots, pans, plates, and utensils add up fast at regular stores.
The decor section gets attention as well. Frames, vases, and wall pieces can give a plain room real personality.
Small appliances are worth a careful look. Check cords and parts before buying, since secondhand gadgets may vary in condition.
Bed and bath items make sense for guest rooms or dorms. Towels and blankets don’t need to be brand new to do their job well.
Seasonal decorations also appear on shelves. Holiday ornaments and themed pieces can make a festive room for far less than retail.
A fun idea is to pick a color theme before shopping. Hunting for all blue dishes, for example, turns a simple errand into a game.
By the end, your kitchen might look curated. Nobody needs to know it came together one bargain at a time.
Bookworms And Toy Collectors Get Their Own Playground
Novels, textbooks, and specialty publications all line the book shelves at arc Thrift Stores. Readers can grab a stack without guilt.
Students should pay attention here. Textbooks sometimes appear, and buying used beats paying full price any day of the week.
The toy section brings a wide mix, including plenty of dolls and games. Kids can find something fun without parents wincing at the register.
One smart move with boxed games and craft kits? Ask a staff member if you can check contents, since some boxes get taped shut.
Collectors also browse this aisle. VHS tapes and other old-school media can surface, which makes for a nostalgic little treasure hunt.
Electronics are available too, though televisions aren’t part of the lineup. Test what you can and keep expectations realistic for used gadgets.
Reading more is easier when books cost little. A summer reading challenge for kids could start right in this aisle.
Honestly, a rainy Saturday has rarely looked this cheap. Grab a few paperbacks, a board game, and call it a family night plan.
Senior Tuesday Turns Color Tags Into Gold
Tag colors matter more than you’d think at this store. On Senior Tuesday, shoppers 55 and older get 50 percent off specific color-tagged items.
That’s a solid deal on top of already low thrift pricing. Grandparents might just become the savviest shoppers in the family.
Weekly sales keep things lively for everyone else. arc promotes exciting sales every week, so each visit could bring a different discount.
The free eClub is another easy win. Sign up by text or email to get exclusive coupons, offers, and contest details.
Gift cards are available as well. They make a thoughtful present for the thrift lover who already owns everything.
A quick plan helps you stretch savings. Check which tag color is on sale, then scan racks for that color first.
Pairing a sale day with a bag sale or coupon can stack up big savings. Just read each offer’s details so nothing surprises you at checkout.
Small discounts add up over a year. Sharp timing might keep a lot more cash in your pocket for the fun stuff.
Clear Out Your Closet And Drop It Off On The Way
Cleaning out a garage feels great until you wonder where everything should go. arc Thrift Stores accepts most household items, which makes decluttering much easier.
Clothing, shoes, books, toys, kitchen items, furniture, and decor are all welcome. Computers are accepted too, but monitors and televisions are not.
Donation hours run a bit shorter than shopping hours. Monday through Saturday drop-offs go from 9 AM to 8 PM, and Sunday runs 10 AM to 5 PM.
Got a couch that won’t fit in your car? Free curbside pickup for large furniture is available in Colorado.
Donating keeps usable goods out of landfills. arc counts as one of the state’s largest social enterprises and a major recycler.
Your old stuff also fuels the mission. Sales from donated items help fund programs for people with disabilities and their families.
Here’s a smart habit to try. Drop off a bag of donations, then shop for one or two things you actually need.
That swap keeps your home from filling right back up. It’s a cycle that feels good for your space and your community.
Plan Your Trip Around These Generous Hours
Late-night shopping isn’t just for the mall. You’ll find this location at 16801 E Iliff Ave, Aurora, CO 80013, and it stays open into the evening most days.
Monday through Friday hours run from 9 AM to 9 PM. Saturday opens even earlier at 8 AM and goes until 9 PM.
Sunday keeps things shorter, from 10 AM to 6 PM. Early birds might want to grab Saturday morning for first dibs on fresh racks.
Give yourself plenty of time. The store is spacious and well organized, so browsing every section can easily fill a couple of hours.
Bring reusable bags and maybe a snack for the car ride. Big hauls deserve a little preparation.
This spot sits in Aurora on the east side of the Denver area. It’s an easy stop to add to weekend errands around town.
So grab your list, your patience, and maybe a measuring tape. arc Thrift Stores on Iliff makes it surprisingly simple to dress, decorate, and do some good in Colorado, all for the price of one fancy mall shirt.