One great quality of Corvallis is the abundance of used merchandise available. From books to bikes to beds, we’ve carefully arranged a list of must-visits for your next used treasure hunt!
Furniture – As residents of a college town, Corvallis residents often enjoy informal sidewalk sales every summer when OSU students leave town or shift housing locations. Sidewalks are full of couches, desks, recliners, lamps, and mattresses. However, when school is in, there are still places to go to find used furniture:
OSUsed Store, 644 SW 13th St. (on the corner of 13th St. and A Ave.)- Surplus EVERYTHING from the University. Featuring everything from computer processors and office furniture to shelving units and bicycles. Recently they even sold a railroad car! Open on Wednesdays only.
Beekman Place, 601 SW Western Blvd. – Features some fantastic antiques.
Habitat for Humanity Resale Store – Successfully relocated to the corner of Philomath Blvd. and Technology Loop! Find furniture and house improvement materials including paint, windows, appliances, lumber, and more.
Corvallisfurniture.com, 720 NE Granger Ave in Corvallis – this student and volunteer-run furniture website is dedicated to supplying inexpensive furniture to Corvallis residents.
Bikes/Sporting Equipment – In our active and bike-friendly city, it is not surprising there are many places to find used sporting equipment. Consider the following excellent choices if you need some gear to get you moving:
Play It Again Sports, 1422 NW 9th St. – Used sporting equipment from Bicycles and Baseball gear to Weights and Wetsuits. Best place in town for any and all used sporting equipment.
Cyclotopia, 435 Southwest 2nd St. – These guys almost always have five to ten used bikes for sale. In addition, they often have a selection of gently used biking equipment- think helmets, shoes, and lights- available for purchase.
Peak Sports, 207 NW 2nd St. – Hosts a Bike Swap in September & June- 3 days each. They also host a boat swap that generally occurs in late June.
Corvallis Bicycle Collective, SE Roche Lane off of Hwy. 34.
Cycle Solutions, 968 NW Circle Blvd.
OSU Student Sustainability Initiative, 738 SW 15th Street.
If you are a member of OSU’s Rec Sports, don’t forget to utilize the Outdoor Recreation Center on Campus (Located at the east entry to Dixon Recreation Center) for equipment rentals!
Clothing – Corvallis offers nearly as many amazing used clothing stores as it does new. The following shops offer gently used items in personal, individual, and welcoming atmospheres:
Mother Goose Resale Store, 260 NW 1st St. – Children’s & Maternity Clothing, baby toys, furniture, etc.
Second Glance, 214 SW Jefferson – Fashion Recycling- Upscale Women’s clothing & Consignment.
The Alley, 312 SW Jefferson – Fashion Recycling- Upscale Men’s Clothing & Consignment.
Cosmic Chameleon, 138 SW 2nd St. – Resale shop & Artist’s Consignment.
Revolve, at the “Hotel Julian” on 2nd St. and Monroe – Resale Boutique – Men’s & Women’s clothing & Consignment. They also stock new items from vendors who operate according to fair-trade and sweatshop-free principles and sustainable methods.
Books & Music – Corvallis, ranked fifth on Forbes magazine’s 2008 list of “America’s Smartest Cities,” has a number of independent bookstores, including the Book Bin, Browser’s Books, Grass Roots, and the OSU Bookstore. Also, many coffee shops feature book exchange shelves, so next time you visit the 2nd street Beanery or Imagine Coffee, bring a book and exchange it for one you’ve never read! Here are some great local picks for books as well as music:
Browser’s Bookstore, 121 Northwest 4th St.
The Book Bin, 215 SW 4th St.
Happy Trails, 100 Southwest 3rd St.
A Bit-O-Everything – Like any good college town, in addition to Goodwill, Corvallis offers countless quirky thrift stores. Here are some great options to get you started:
The Cat’s Meow, 411 Southwest 3rd St. – Proceeds benefit Heartland Humane Society.
Buckingham Palace, 600 Southwest 3rd St. – A fun and incredibly eclectic thrift shop.
The ARC, 928 NW Beca Ave. – Advocates and provides services, as needed, to enhance the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families. Consider them especially for quality furniture.
By Lisa Tedder and Joel Southall
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