I’m back from my holiday to Montreal! I had such a beautiful time visiting my best friend while she’s living out there. This was a welcome break from quite an intense work period too, so she showed me the best the city had to offer, including the best views, restaurants, and second-hand and vintage stores! I love to thrift, and I was surprised at just how cool some of the stores were, so decided to write this guide. I even found myself a nice second-hand souvenir to bring back with me!
I wanted to share a special thank you to Sam Chown Johnston, who sent her guide to second-hand shopping in Montreal to me on the day I arrived in the city! I’ve echoed a few of her recommendations here, and I’d recommend reading her guide alongside this one to discover sustainable first-hand clothes stores as well.
The Best Second-Hand & Vintage Stores in Montreal
I had a great time browsing second-hand clothes, shoes, and accessories across these seven locations, and have ordered them in a way that creates a walking map of vintage stores, starting on Saint Denis street and finishing in Mile End.
Bee’s Knees Seconde-Main
350 Av. Duluth E, Montréal, QC H2W 1J2
One of my favourite second-hand shops in Montreal was Bee’s Knees Seconde Main. This friendly little establishment can be found through the Alma Plantes florist, and is home to a range of high street and high end labels. It’s also got a great selection of second-hand garments from European brands that may not be so easy to access while in Canada. I found pieces by Chloé, Filippa K, Isabel Marant, as well as a mix of styles and eras. There was also a good selection of bags and purses, which I struggled to find elsewhere. Pricing is fair and I picked up my Calvin Klein Jeans cap as a souvenir of my trip from here.
RE UP MTL
4235 Saint Denis St, Montreal, Quebec H2J 2K9
For second-hand street style and sneakers, RE UP MTL is the place. This store is also my top recommendation for second-hand menswear, with rails full of t-shirts, sweatshirts and hoodies, in a good range of sizes. Pricing is relative, and I found a mix of cheap second-hand and expensive designer clothing. There’s also a good range of sneakers, leather jackets, and accessories.
Nuage
222 Rue Rachel E, Montréal, QC H2W 1E3
Next up, Nuage. This tiny thrift store is home to budget-friendly finds, many of which fit a festival feel. Think halter-neck tops, floaty skirts, and denim shorts. If you’re planning a holiday or festival trip, this is the place! Top tip: while in the area, be sure to pop into Café Iso for an iced coffee or chai!
Dodo Bazaar
68 Rue Rachel E, Montréal, QC H2W 1C6
Dodo Bazaar was a new store to both my friend and I – we stumbled across it while walking towards Mile End and decided the pop inside. This store sits somewhere between upcycled dreaminess and cool vintage finds. I was particularly taken with a reworked Christian Dior shirt but figured I didn’t need a new shirt (and didn’t want to overbuy second-hand, which is so easy to do).
Dodo Bazaar has such a great aesthetic, and their online store and incredible styling make it worth a visit – both in person, and online.
Lau B
4292 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1Z3
Boutique Lau B is the queen of all of Montreal’s friperies! If you love thrift stores, Lau B needs to be bookmarked. This store sits across two neighbouring salons and an outdoor terrace, with rails full to the brim with true vintage. Much like Beyond Retro or Rokit Vintage, Lau B requires some sifting through, but for the most part, is well organised, and has some super cool items. My friend picked up a vintage tennis top in excellent condition for just 25 CAD, and we both eyed up a vintage white Harley Davidson leather jacket too.
RUSE
5141 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H2T 1R9
From friperie to luxury: let me introduce to you RUSE. This boutique was our favourite vintage store, despite mine and my friend’s differing styles. If you’re looking for curated designer clothing, in pristine condition, this second-hand consignment store is the place. I almost snagged a pair of lime green Samsoe Samsoe heeled sandals, while my friend took the plunge and bought a pair of velvet heeled boots that she tottered around the store in before declaring her love. We also found the shop assistant to be welcoming, complimentary, but also gave us time to make a considered decision, which I really appreciate.
Seconde
5274 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H2T 1S1
Along the second-hand strip that is St Lauren Boulevard, we then wandered into Seconde. I kinda wished I’d visited Ruse after Seconde, as I felt their collection just didn’t pop like Ruse’s did, but was still a great selection. Be sure to check out the boutique beauty products and homewares at the back of the store too!
Take Three
5594 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H2T 1S8
The newest store on this list has to be Take Three, which was recommended to us by the assistant at RUSE. Here, you’ll find a collection of whimsical second-hand pieces spread amongst independent designers, for a festival faerie type feel. This wasn’t quite my style, but if it was, I think I’d have gone a bit feral. Items were beautiful, in excellent condition, and really well presented. A must-visit if this is your aesthetic.
Want More? Here’s What We Missed…
In addition to these eight beautiful boutiques, there were a few stores we just didn’t get time to visit during our day out thrifting. Here’s a few additional stores to add into the mix!
La Caravane – 4116 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H2W 1Y8
Palmo Goods – 263 Mont-Royal Ave E, Montreal, Quebec H2T 1P6
Citizen Vintage – 5330 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H2T 1S1
Annex – 5364 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H2T 1S1
L N F – 5319 Park Ave, Montreal, Quebec H2V 4G9
Kay Vintage – 157 Rue Bernard O, Montréal, QC H2T 2K3
Inedite.e – 6370 St Laurent Blvd, Montreal, Quebec H2S 3C4
Let me know if you try any of the places on this list! Bon shopping!