This is now a great time to start a vintage thrift store. There are several converging macroeconomic and demographic trends to make this a good time to start a vintage thrift store.
Economics
Retail store closures are at their highest since the pandemic, and retail property net absorption fell to its lowest levels in a decade (excluding the pandemic), so better locations are available for rent. Although lease rates might not fall soon, landlords may offer better terms, such as better build-out credits and lower triple net rates.
As real wages (as opposed to nominal wages) have not kept up with inflation, consumers enjoy lower discretionary income but will still need things as their existing goods get worn out. So new-to-them things will be required. Another growing business category is repair shops, as consumers become more price-sensitive and goods become harder to find.
New goods are more expensive due to manufacturers’ and logistics intermediaries’ pricing in unpredictable tariffs and trade dynamics.
Demographics and Assets
On the topic of business closures, auctions and liquidation sales are fantastic places to buy equipment and inventory that does not need to be new, with savings of over 75% at times.
As Boomers pass away, they leave a significant amount of valuable collectibles and possessions. The Great Wealth Transfer in the United States is estimated to be $84.4 trillion, with roughly $19.7 trillion in real estate. On that note, another growing business category is estate sales and property asset cleanups.
Community donations, storage unit sales, and more are incredible places to find one-of-a-kind treasures.
Furthermore, with newer AI-powered inventory management and sales distribution systems, operating expenses will be reduced, as well as inventory turn times.
Staffing
With the economic slowdown, there are many unemployed and underemployed people. High store closure rates have led to a 274% spike in retail layoffs in 2025. Therefore, finding talented, experienced staff to help run the store, sort and pick up merchandise, as well as manage social media marketing, will be relatively easy. Your Startup Guru always advocates for lean, cost-effective growth strategies, so co-ops and vested equity can mitigate labor costs until the store is comfortably profitable.
Another reason vintage thrift stores are great is that there is a low barrier to entry.The owner does not need specialized licenses, permits, or certifications. Anyone with a great work ethic, organizational skills, and professionalism can run this business.
How Much Does It Cost to Start?
Startup costs can range from several thousand to several tens of thousands. Most of the startup cost will be rent, merchandise, space build-out, and payroll. Some of the major estimated costs are outlined below:
| Startup Cost | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|
| Business Name and Formation | $200 |
| Licenses and Permits | $300 |
| Insurance | $200 |
| Business cards and brochures | $250 |
| Website setup | $2,000 |
| Initial inventory | $20,000 |
| Retail space deposit | $3,000 |
| Retail space build-out | $5,000 |
| Payroll | $10,000 |
| Marketing | $5,000 |
| TOTAL | $45,950 |
Conversely, you can also buy an existing business that comes with everything already set up.
Buy a Vintage Thrift Store Business Plan Template
We have done the heavy lifting, and you just have to fill in the information specific to your business, such as name, location, and key personnel info.
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Pre-made Business Plans
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