East Vancouver

Though larger (and less affluent) than the west side, east side Vancouver is surprisingly short of thrift shops.  Not that everyone has been visited but there just aren't many.

The MCC have one store in Vancouver which also used to house a Ten Thousand Villages fair trade store (only one left on Granvile Island and one in Victoria).  The sole MCC is on Fraser and 43rd (SE side) is a long-standing medium-sized establishment though there is less German goods these days.  Small, well-organised display of collectibles, lots of housewares, some furniture and other assorted goods.  Volunteer run.  Prices are creeping up but that could be due to rent.  Like the SA, I would never begrudge their prices.  Free street parking.

Found another small one a little further up Fraser (between 26th and 27th on the west side) called King's Way which is a church-oriented thrift store (services held in the store).  Only open 2 days a week and very sparse inventory (as it also serves as a meeting hall).  Free street parking if you can find it.

Around the Main/Broadway/Kingsway triangle are 3 thrift stores (used to be 4 but one moved).  The biggest is the Salvation Army on 200 block East 12th on the north side between Main and Kingsway.  Quite large, it has the usual plus a lot of furniture.  Quite picked over as it is popular.  As with SA prices, it is high but not as high as same places.  Street parking, some free, some paid depending on location.

On Main Street (west side) between 11th and 12th is a branch of Saint Vincent de Paul.  This small shop has a small selection of everything, with display of china collections more prominently lately.  Prices are about the same as the SA. No bargain for for a cause.  Free and metered street parking around.

On Broadway (north side) just west of Main is Aunt Leah's.  A very small boutique with mainly clothing.  Limited/no parking on street right outside (bus stop) but it is around close by.

The VGH thrift shop used to be opposite on Broadway but the rent went up to some $11k a month so the shop has relocated to 2500-block East Hastings, north side 2 blocks east of Nanaimo.  Small/medium shop, it is well organised.  Prices can be very good.  Picked up an assortment of Riedel glasses here worth at least $50 for $4.  Free street parking.

Further west on Hastings is the second St Vincent de Paul ~1700-block (east of Commercial on the south side). A medium-sized shop, it has the usual though the items seem to be from less-affluent households, or has been picked over.  Free street parking.  A VV is just east on the block.

At 600 East Hastings (at Heatley Ave. NW corner) is the Union Gospel Mission shop.  The UGM may give away a lot of its wares as there never seems to be much except for clothing at this medium sized shop.  Free street parking.

Back down on Main Street between 27 and 28th (west side) are two thrift stores.  First one is the BC Womens and Childrens Hospital which is a small boutique with cloths and shoes only.  Dressier better quality, it would appear. Metered street parking, or maybe free.

Down on the corner of 28th is the YWCA store.  It's also small with a small assortment of everything.  Free street parking?

The sole SPCA outlet is on Victoria Driver (west side between 35 and 36th avenues).  A medium-sized shop, it is the typical shambles though not as bad, by far, as its west side counterpart.  Prices can vary with housewares being the cheapest and games overpriced, it would appear.  Lots of clothes, electronics (more than most), housewares, etc.  Free street parking.