Thrift hunting in Fremont

By Staff Writers Amber Halvorsen, Finn McCarthy & Andy Zhang

With the of thrift haul trends on social media and the growing love of buying unique statement pieces for low prices, thrifting has become an increasingly popular pastime among younger generations.  In this month’s issue, the Smoke Signal explored some of Fremont’s unique thrift stores.

HopeTHRIFT 

A branch of Hope Services, a Bay Area non-profit organization that serves those with developmental disabilities, HopeTHRIFT is a second-hand store with a mission to give back to the community. Located at 41200 Blacow Road, HopeTHRIFT is home to a variety of affordable classic pieces, making the store a great option for those who want to shop budget-friendly. HopeTHRIFT is also prized for its wide selection of clothing, shoes, accessories, and furniture, showcasing over 70,000 pieces, with many more arriving daily. As a part of Hope Services, the profits from HopeTHRIFT are used to improve the lives of those with disabilities through day services, training, employment, and mental health services.

Memory Lane

Across from the historic Niles Depot Museum sits Memory Lane, a quaint thrift and vintage store filled with unique trinkets and retro-style clothing. Located at 37565 Niles Blvd, Memory Lane is home to 10 vendors, selling things from model cars to tea sets and golf shirts to vintage children’s books. Every corner is filled with interesting items, all reasonably priced based on condition. Vendors and staff eagerly welcome customers at the checkout desk to answer any questions about the store and its items. “I love to interact with the people and help them out and find what they’re looking for. It’s great fun to help people and such,” said Memory Lane Vendor Fred Stafford.

Merch Menagerie 

Merch Menagerie, established in 2020 by Joe Potenti, is a unique and charming store that aims to be an outlet for unique pieces that deserve more recognition. Located at 37589 Niles Blvd in the heart of Niles’s antiques district, the store boasts an impressive collection of historic pieces, ranging from vintage pop-culture t-shirts to tops highlighting the history of Fremont. Originally working as a merch salesman for bands, Potenti was influenced by other thrift stores and began selling vintage items on eBay. Later, he opened Merch Menagerie as a way to keep the art of vintage clothing alive. “I just keep the things that I think are cool, and the things that I think should be saved and  not in landfills and so future people and generations can see them,” Potenti said.

My Friends & I 

On the same street as Merch Menagerie and Memory Lane sits My Friends & I, at 37521 Niles Blvd, another Niles based antique store. My Friends & I is a vintage store founded in 1982 and currently run by ten women who share a passion for collectibles from the 1900s. The store includes a wide variety of apparel such as vintage dresses, blouses, hats, unique bags, and jewelry, but also offers shelves of trinkets and home decor. Collections of dolls, porcelain sets, books, and quilts crowd almost every corner of the store, making it an ideal spot for customers looking for vintage pieces for reasonable prices. The quiet atmosphere of this store provide to the rewarding thrifting experience the town has to offer.

St. Vincent de Paul

Tucked between neighborhoods at 3777 Decoto Rd, St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store is part of a voluntary organization established in 1833. Although it originated in Paris with a group of students, the International Society of St. Vincent de Paul has since expanded to include emergency shelters, free clothing closets, dining rooms, thrift stores, and more. Just left of the entrance sit rows of organized racks of clothing, from vintage to modern wear. All items at this store are either donated or purchased through an Amazon registry. Although there is no curated collection of clothing, taking the time to browse through the racks is a rewarding experience. With friendly staff, fair prices, and discounts for the elderly, the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store shows that one man’s trash is another man’s