As Penn State enters the dreaded finals week, you may be tempted to treat your stress with some retail therapy. However, that can get expensive…fast.

As a college student, you probably don’t have the funds for that. There’s but one solution: thrift stores. State College may not be known for its selection, but if you’re willing to venture out to Bellefonte or beyond, you might uncover some hidden gems.

While it pains me to share what I want to keep secret, I’ll reveal what I consider to be the must-visit thrift stores in State College and the surrounding area.

Included in my list are what I consider ~true~ thrift stores.

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store

This has to be one of my favorites on the list to the point that I don’t even want to share it with you. However, it’s my job, so here goes.

St. Vincent Paul’s has everything you could ever want or need. Need a new crockpot? Belt? Sewing kit? Absurd elf decor? It’s there. I located a few vintage Penn State clothing items perfect for a tailgate and some great new decor for my apartment that I know my roommates will hate. Its prices are very reasonable, and according to its website, the store uses the profits to help those in need in the community, so it’s a win-win.

St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store is located at 1300 Benner Pike.

Goodwill

Good old Goodwill. Now, I have been to plenty of Goodwills, and I have to say this has to be one of the better ones. One major bonus is that it’s bigger than most of the other stores on this list. While the prices aren’t great, if you dig, you’re bound to find something worthwhile. It is also a short drive from St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store, so it is easy to hit two solid options in one trip. At the end of the day, Goodwill will always be there for you in your time of boredom.

Goodwill is based at 387 Benner Pike.

The Great Mish Mosh

A little further away in Bellefonte, but worth the trip, is the Great Mish Mosh. The Great Mish Mosh: A Unique Collection of Everything is probably the most accurate name for this store because you really can find a little bit of everything. When you first walk in, there’s a lot of antique wooden furniture, but the deeper you go, the more there is to see.

The store features what I would consider to be the coolest section of any store on this list. The stairway to the second floor is decorated with retro board games that will lead you to a wide selection of vendors. Personally, I loved searching through the multitude of bins of comic books and posters, but there’s a little bit for everyone.

You can find the Great Mish Mosh in the heart of downtown Bellefonte at 128 S. Allegheny St., a 17-minute drive from downtown State College.

Plaza Centre

Plaza Centre both confused and amazed me. Each room I stepped in led to another room. I feel as though I could have spent an entire day here.

This store is also interesting because it isn’t really one store but rather a collection of vendors. Each vendor has its own section of the store, so you never know what is waiting around the corner. This creates the unmatched flea market dynamic that is a true thrifter’s dream. After an hour or so here, I maintained self control and only walked out with a few holiday cookie tins, a cowboy boot butterknife, and a large cowboy boot vase.

Plaza Centre is just around the corner from the Great Mish Mosh at 124 W. High St. in Bellefonte.

Faith Centre

Just down the street from both the Great Mish Mosh and Plaza Centre, Faith Centre is a donation-based thrift store that supports the Food Bank, Pet Food Pantry, and Emergency Aid program, according to its website.

While slightly cheaper, the selection of this store is most comparable to Goodwill, in my opinion. It has a great selection of holiday decor and clothing, making this a worthwhile stop if you’re a savvy thrifter in the area. I managed to walk away with a few sweaters perfect for the cold weather in State College.