That school supply list just hit your inbox, and so did the sticker shock.
Between new clothes, shoes, backpacks, and whatever fall sports gear your kid suddenly needs, back-to-school season can wreck a budget fast. The good news is that Columbus is loaded with discount and secondhand shops that make it easy to gear up for the new school year without paying full price for any of it.
If you’re new to secondhand shopping, this is your sign to give it a try. Your wallet will thank you.
Back to School Deals in Columbus and Central Ohio
1. Discount Fashion Warehouse: Brand Names Without the Brand Prices
If your kids have strong opinions about labels, start here. Discount Fashion Warehouse stocks name-brand clothing, shoes, and home goods (think Nike, Gap, Ralph Lauren, and Ann Taylor) at up to 90% off retail. Inventory turns over constantly, so it’s worth a repeat visit if you strike out the first time.
With six locations around Columbus, there’s probably one on your way home already:
- Dublin: 6599 Dublin Center Dr
- Gahanna: 870 Science Blvd
- Great Western: 110 N Wilson Rd
- Henderson: 1824 W Henderson Rd
- Hilliard: 2561 Hilliard Rome Rd
- Northland: 2727 Northland Plaza Dr
Find more info here.
2. Plato’s Closet: The Teen & Tween Wardrobe Refresh
For tweens and teens who want to look current without the current price tag, Plato’s Closet is the move. It’s gently used clothing for kids and young adults, up to 70% off retail, and the racks are stocked with actual trending styles, not just leftovers. Bonus tip: if your kid has outgrown clothes in good shape, Plato’s Closet buys them for cash on the spot, which can help offset what you spend.
Locations in Central Ohio to check out:
- Northwest Columbus: 2608 Bethel Rd
- Grove City: 2195 Stringtown Rd
- Westerville: 591 S State St
- Dublin: 7525 Sawmill Rd
- Reynoldsburg: 2087 Baltimore-Reynoldsburg Rd
Check out their website here for more info.
3. Rose’s Discount Store: Basics, Backpacks, and Everything In Between
Rose’s is your classic discount department store, and it’s a great one-stop shop for filling in the gaps on the school list: everyday clothing basics, socks and underwear multipacks, backpacks, and seasonal odds and ends, all at low prices. It’s not flashy, but it’s exactly what you need when you’re trying to check five things off a list in one trip.
You can find a Roses inside the I-270 belt in Whitehall and the Forest Park East neighborhood in Columbus, plus some stores out in Washington Court House and Springfield, Ohio:
- Northeast Columbus/Forest Park East: 4691 Morse Centre Rd #25
- Whitehall: 4632 E Main St
- Washington Court House: 2100 Columbus Ave
- Springfield: Northland Plaza Shopping Center, 2960 Derr Rd
Find more info here.
4. Peyton’s Thrift: The Infamous $5 Bin
1555 N 4th St, Columbus, OH 43201
Peyton’s Thrift is the newest name on this list, and it’s already building buzz for good reason: they have a $5 bin, $10 shirts, and $15 pants, all in genuinely great condition. It’s an easy way to stock up on multiples (extra leggings, tees, joggers) for way less than retail. They’re open 12 – 7 PM Wednesday thru Saturday, and 12 – 5 PM on Sundays. Give their Instagram a follow to confirm current hours before you make the trip.
5. Out of the Closet: Best for Your High Schooler (or College Kid)
1230 N High St, Columbus, OH 43201
Out of the Closet in the Short North leans more curated than your average thrift store, which makes it a better fit for older kids chasing a specific look: vintage, streetwear, Y2K, whatever’s trending this semester. It’s best suited for high schoolers and college students who love to dig. It’s also a feel-good stop: proceeds support HIV/AIDS services in the community.
Find more info here.
Bonus: Don’t Forget Fall Sports Gear at Play It Again Sports
Clothes and supplies aren’t the only back-to-school expense. If your kid plays a fall sport, equipment costs add up just as fast. Play It Again Sports buys, sells, and trades used sporting goods, and their Reynoldsburg store’s selection of football gear in particular is seriously impressive. Cleats, pads, helmets: check here before you pay retail anywhere else.
Plus, if you sell used gear to Play It Again Sports, you can get 33% more value by choosing to get store credit as opposed to cold hard cash.
Check out their Central Ohio locations here:
- Reynoldsburg: 6011 E Main St
- Hilliard: 4720 Cemetery Rd
- Grove City: 4095 Hoover Rd
- Westerville: 718 N State St
Find more info here.
Columbus Makes Back to School Shopping Easy (and Affordable)
Back-to-school shopping doesn’t have to mean back-to-broke. Hit a couple of these spots this week, and you can knock out clothes, basics, and sports gear for a fraction of what you’d spend new. Save this post so you’ve got the list handy, and if you want to get more cheap guides to shopping, restaurants, and more delivered straight to your email, subscribe to our newsletter here.
