The Brown Elephant - Northalsted is a popular thrift store known for its great selection and affordable prices. Customers find a wide variety of items, including clothing, accessories, shoes, formal attire, home goods, furniture, and media like vinyl records, movies, and books. The store offers try-on rooms and a curated designer section, making shopping enjoyable. Staff are friendly and helpful, and the store's inventory is rotated daily, ensuring a fresh shopping experience. Donations are easy to make by dropping items off at the back right corner of the store. The shop supports good causes and also provides volunteer opportunities. Visitors appreciate the pleasant atmosphere, the variety of useful items, and the reasonable pricing. Many customers find great deals, especially in the kitchen and furniture sections, and enjoy browsing through media and knick-knacks. Overall, The Brown Elephant is highly recommended for a positive thrifting activity and for discovering a wide range of items.
BEST selection of reasonably priced funky clothes, shoes, and jewelry in Chicago! Good furniture and a fun store atmosphere and staff. Not as much bricabrac but well worth a visit.
February 2026
amazing place to thrift, sizes can be hard to discern but otherwise the prices r nice aside from the fab section
October 2025
Outstanding selection of quality items. The prices are fair and the quality of the furniture for sale is excellent. Beautiful unique items.
Like most good thrift stores, the Brown Elephant is hit or miss. Sometimes you can find great books, T-shirts, and super-cheap vinyl-other times, nothing appeals, and you just wander around until your feet hurt. This shop is well organized, and most of the home goods are reasonably priced. All of the proceeds go to benefit the Howard Brown Health Center, a great LGBT charity; if you're waffling on spending a couple extra bucks, just go for it and know that your money is going to help someone who needs it. (The Brown Elephant has three outlets: this one in Lakeview, one in Andersonville, and one in Oak Park.)
